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THE 



HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES 



THE PARISH OF 



DARLINGTON, 



IN THE BISHOPRICK. 



S 



BY 



a®. I^glton Mm Eonptaffe, IBsq., JF. *.&. 



" Enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their 
fathers : for we are of yesterday, and know nothing. — Shall not they teach thee, and tell 
thee, and utter words out of their heart." — (Job, viii.) 





9 R 

1 



*^V * DARLINGTON : 

THE PROPRIETORS OF THE DARLINGTON AND STOCKTON TIMES. 

LONDON : 

J. HENRY PARKER, 377, STRAND ; AND J. B. NICHOLS AND SON, 

25, PARLIAMENT-STREET. 

NEWCASTLE : G. B. RICHARDSON, CLAYTON STREET-WEST. 

1854. 



/' 



^^^ 




lanhert fenj Matt, $% f t $. %., % %., 

OF BLACK WELL HALL, 

IN THE PARISH OF DARLINGTON, AND OF BARTON, 

IN RICHMONDSHIRE, 

ONE OF HER MAJESTY'S JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FOR THE COUNTY OF DURHAM, 

AND NORTH RIDING OF YORKSHIRE, 



THIS VOLUME, 

DEVOTED TO THE HISTORY OF THE PARISH IN WHICH HE IS 

THE MOST EXTENSIVE LANDOWNER, 

AND THE VERY GROUNDWORK OF WHICH HAS BEEN FURNISHED BY HIS 

LARGE COLLECTION OF ARCHIVES, 

IS, 

FROM FEELINGS OF THE DEEPEST GRATITUDE 

FOR HIS UNIFORM GENEROSITY, 

DEDICATED. 



PEEF ACE. 



In presenting my patrons the conclusion of ray labours, I have to 
apologise for that delay in their appearance which is so often and unavoid- 
ably the case in topographical works. It has greatly added to my facilities 
for the pictorial illustration and elaboration of my materials, but it is a 
grief to me when I reflect upon the number of those subscribers who looked 
upon my pursuits with the eye of kindness, and who are now beyond the 
sphere in which I could have laid their results before them. Death has 
laid his cold touch on some I looked up to, with the reverence due to the 
aristocracy of talent. Sir Eobert Peel, Sir Outhbert Sharp, and Colonel 
Wilham Havelock, K. H., giants all in diverse walks, are silent and in still- 
ness. My dear friends and fellows in the quiet walks of letters, Thomas 
Eastoe Abbott, William Bymer, and John Wilkinson, have died in the 
fulness of faith and hope. And the gentlemanly and landless scion of the 
great house of Ogle, who, almost all unheeded, came to Darlington to die, 
and with whom I forgot canker and care, lies low in the cemetery of St. 
Cuthbert. Yet I have left me many to reprove or congratulate me with 
a loving voice. " There is but one society on earth — the noble living and 
the noble dead/' 

Had not the materials alluded to in my dedication, and referred to in 
almost every page, been laid before me, my book would have been a lifeless 
skeleton; and had it not received the pictorial illustrations which have 
proceeded from the same hand, its appearance would have been comparatively 
melancholy. I have, as I conceive, consulted the feelings of the valuable 
friend I thus dimly refer to, by thanking him in a less ostentatious place, 
and in the text itself I have pursued the same course with almost all 
other kindly helps. The references tell their own tale. If my memory is 
not equal to my wishes, I rely on forgiveness from the injured. I have 
however, reserved this place to state that the archives of His Grace the 
Duke of Cleveland and Edward Pease, Esq., in addition to those at 
Blacfcwell Hall, Clervaux Castle, the Bodleian Library, the Dean and Chap- 
ter's Library at Durham, and the Auditor's office, with the Halmot Eolls, 
the Parochial Eegisters and accounts, and the Borough Books, have, in the 
most handsome manner been placed at my service, and I have thankfully 
used them as far as my limited means and time permitted. It would be 



viii PREFACE. 

most ungrateful not to add that the courtesy of their custodiers has ever 
been exercised to me ; and that in addition to the above records, those of 
Newcastle have been fully as open to me, through the able agency of Mr 
G. Bouchier Richardson, who grudged his friend no amount of labour, where 
his excellent abstracts were likely to elucidate a subject. 

In the composition of this history, I soon found that if the value of my 
book was to depend on its authority as a book of reference, and a faithful 
record of the mouldering MSS. I have had before me, it could not be of the 
light, sketchy, and amusing character I once chalked out. I saw that the 
first history of every place is necessarily a magazine of evidences, to which 
the more popular writer can at every turn allude, to bear out his generalities. 
New matter has started up at every turn, and in my very pleasure at its 
occurrence, has harassed me in the alteration of my plans ; and I have been 
compelled, at a greatly increased cost of production and occupation of time, 
to crowd as many facts into every page as my type would allow, to avoid 
remarks, and allow the reader to form his own conclusions. 

It is the charm of Archaeology that the field of enquiry is never exhausted. 
This work does not form an exception to the rule. It is necessarily im- 
perfect. Nay, it is doubtless inaccurate in some particulars. Though no 
document has been tampered with, and I have spared no pains in sifting 
evidence, information is sometimes unintentionally based on false or exag- 
gerated premises, and tradition is notoriously a corrupt source of history. 
But where no contemporaneous written proof exists, the experienced reader 
will be on his guard. I have related traditions sans colour, and sans 
alteration ; friendship has been broken with me for my zeal on this very point ; 
and I can safely put forth my book as an honest enquiry after, if not an 
absolute arrival at, truth. 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 



Tht name* of Subscribers who have died since the commencement of the Work are 

printed in Italics. 



His Grace the Duke of Cleveland, K.G., 12 copies, 2 large paper. 

Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M. P., laTge paper. 

Sir Cuthbert Sharp, Knt., F.S.A., Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 

Lieut- Col. Wm. Havelock, K. H., 14th Light Dragoons. 

Lieut-Col. H. Havelock, C. B., 53rd Regiment of Foot. 

The Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 

The Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 

The Society of Antiquaries, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 

The jDarlington Mechanics' Institution. 

The Stockton Subscription Library. 

Robert Henry Allan, Esq., F. S. A., Blackwell Hall, 12 copies, 6 on large paper. 

Miss Allan, Harewood Grove, Darlington. 

William Allan, Esq., Blackwell Grange, large paper. 

George Allison, Esq., Darlington. 

"William Aldam, Esq., Doncaster. 

Rev. 'William Atthill, Horsford, St. Faith's, Norwich, large paper. 

Thos. Eastoe Abbott, Esq., Rose Villa, Darlington. 

Freville Lambton Burne, Esq. 

Mrs. Anstey, .Norton, near Stockton-upon-Tees. 

The Rev. Dr. Bandinell, Bodleian Library, Oxford, large paper. 

William Backhouse, Esq., Darlington. 

John Church Backhouse, Esq., Blackwell, large paper. 

Edmund Backhouse, Esq., Middleton Tyas, large paper. 

Sir John Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms. 

Henry Belcher, Esq., Whitby. 

Wm. Bewick, Esq., Haughton-le-Skerne, near Darlington. 

Thomas Bowes, Esq., Darlington. 

Mrs. Barclay, Blackwell. 

Mr, John Bewick, Eldon Cottage, Bermondsey. 

Mr. Matthew Bell, jun., Richmond. 

Thomas Bouch, Esq., C.E., 1, Hanover Street, Edinburgh. 

W. G. J. Barker, Esq., Harmby, near Leyburn. 

Augustus F. Bellasis, Esq., St. John's Wood, London. 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 

Thomas Bell, Esq., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, large paper. 

W. R. Bell, Esq., Norton Grammar School, near Stockton. 

Mr. John Buckton, Darlington, large paper. 

Mr. A. C. Birchall, Darlington. 

Mr. Thomas Blyth, Darlington. 

Henry Brady, Esq., Gateshead. 

W. H. Brockett, Esq., Gateshead. 

Francis Bennett, Esq., Gateshead. 

Rev. Dr. Collingwood Bruce, F.S.A., Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 

W. C. Copperthwaite, Esq., F.S. S., Borough Bailiff of Malton. 

Mr. G. J. Crossley, Manchester. 

Mr. T. A. Cockin, London. 

Mrs. Cudworth, Coniscliffe Lane, Darlington, 2 copies. 

Captain Collyer, large paper. 

Henry Chaytor, Esq., Croft, large paper. 

Captain Colling, Redhall, Haughton-le-Skerne. 

Mr. W. W. Child, Bank, Stockton. 

Mrs. Dunn, Hurworth, large paper. 

H. C. Dakeyne, Esq., 34, Hamilton Terrace, St. John's Wood, London. 

Joseph Dodds, Esq., Stockton-upon-Tees. 

Mr. James Dees, C. E., Esk Meals, Ravenglass, Cumberland. 

Mr. Thomas Dobson, jun,, Darlington. 

Mr. Hugh Dunn, Darlington. 

J. Dean, Esq., Staindrop. 

Edwin Eddison, Esq., Leeds. 

Mr. Geo. Elwin, Old Hall, Darlington. 

John Fenwick, Esq., F.S.A., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, large and small paper. 

Mr. Fossick, Darlington. 

Mr. Joseph Forster, land agent, Durham. 

Mr. Joseph Forster, Harewood Hill, Darlington. 

Mr. James Ferguson, Helmsley Blackmoor. 

Robert Fothergill, Esq., Bedale. 

W. S. Grey, Esq., Barrister at Law, Norton, large paper. 

Wm. Grey, Esq., Norton, near Stockton. 

John Grey, Esq., Stockton. 

Mr. David Grey, Bank Top, Darlington. 

Matthew Gaunt, Esq., Barrister at Law, Leek, Staffordshire. 

Matthew Gaunt, Esq., Alderman of Leeds, Yorkshire. 

Francis Gibson, Esq., Saffron Walden, two copies, one on large paper. 

Mr. Oswald Gilkes, Darlington. 

John Hogg, Esq., Barrister at Law, Norton. 

The Rev. A. J. Howell, Incumbent of Darlington. 

William Harker, Esq., Theakstone Villa, Bedale. 

John Harris, Esq., C.E., Darlington, two copies, one on large paper. 

Richard Hollon, Esq., York. 

Thomas Horner, Esq., Darlington. 

Mr. John Harrison, High Row, Darlington. 

Mr. Robert Heslop, Darlington. 

Richard Hodgkinson, Esq., Pennerley Lodge, Beaulieu, Southampton. 

Joseph Hill, Esq., Stockton. 

Timothy Hutton, Esq., Clifton Castle, Bedale. 

"William Hepple, Esq., Bishop Auckland. 

John Hodgson Hinde, Esq., Acton House, Felton, Northumberland. 

Henry Ingledew, Esq., Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. x i 

Miss lanson, West Terrace, Darlington. 

T. Hayes Jackson, Esq., Darlington. 

Henry Robt. Allan Johnson, Esq., Bishop wearmouth, large paper. 

R. H. Keenlyside, Esq., M.D., Stockton. 

Mr. William Kitching, Darlington. 

Mr. John Kay, Darlington, large paper. 

William Kell, Esq., F. S. A., Gateshead. 

The Rev. R. W. Lloyd, Wilnecote, Tamworth. 

Mrs. Livick, Darlington. 

John Bailey Langhorne, Esq., Richmond, large paper. 

Francis Mewburn, Esq., Borough Bailiff of Darlington. 

M. M. Milburn, Esq., Sowerby, near Thirsk. 

Mrs. Milbank, Blackwell. 

The Rev. E. J. Midgley. Medomsley, Gateshead, two large paper copies. 

George Milner, Esq., F. S. A., Hull. 

John Moore, Esq., Sunderland. 

John Middleton, Esq., Architect, Darlington. 

Mr. Thomas Mac Nay, Darlington. 

Mr. Thomas Maclachlan, Darlington. 

Mr. George Mason, C.E., Darlington. 

W. Crawford Newby, Esq., Stockton. 

Charles Wallace Ogle, Esq., Hundons. 

Henry Ornsby, Esq., Darlington. 

Mr. John Ord, Newtown, Darlington. 

Mr. John Robert Ord, High Terrace, Darlington. 

Mr. Richard Ord, Stockton. 

Mr. William Oliver, Darlington. 

Edward Pease, Esq., Darlington, 5 copies, I large. 

Mrs. Pease, Feethams, Darlington. 

Joseph Pease, Esq., South End, Darlington, 3 copies, 1 large. 

John Pease, Esq., East Mount, Darlington, 2 copies. 

Henry Pease, Esq., Pierremont, Darlington, 2 copies. 

John Beaumont Pease, Esq., North Lodge, Darlington. 

James Pallister, Esq., Little Burdon, 2 copies, 1 on large paper. 

The Rev. J. C. Plumer, Elstree, Herefordshire. 

George Peirson, Esq., Marske, Cleveland. 

Nathaniel Plews, Esq., Darlington, large paper. 

Henry Peckitt, Esq., Carlton Husthwaite, near Thirsk. 

J. S. Peacock, Esq., Darlington, large paper. 

W. H. Peacock, Esq., Barnsley, large paper. 

Thomas Peters, Esq., York. 

Mr. M. Potts, jun., Darlington. 

Mrs. Qnelch, Bowburn, near Durham. 

William Rymer, Esq., Darlington. 

Thomas Richardson. Esq., Ayton, near Stokesley. 

Thomas Richmond, Esq., Stockton. 

S. W. Rix, Esq., Beccles. 

The Rev. Thomas Robson, Grammar School, Darlington, 

Mr. W. Robson, High Row, Darlington. 

Mr. James Readman, Stockton. 

Mr. Robert Robson, Sunderland, large paper. 

Mr. Jervis Robinson, Blackfriars Road, London. 

Mr. William Richardson, Darlington. 

The Rev. J. Raine, Crook Hall, large paper. 



xii LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 

H. Pasco© Smith, Esq., Hall Garth, near Darlington, two copies. 

G. J. Scurfield, Esq., Hurworth, near Darlington, large paper. 

Mr. Joseph Stephenson, C. E., Darlington. 

Henry Stapylton, Esq., Judge of the County Courts, Durham. 

A. T. Steavenson, Esq., Darlington. 

Mr. Joseph Sams, Darlington and London. 

Mr. T. C. Sheppard, Darlington. 

Mr. Storey, St. Cuthhert's Schools, Darlington. 

Jonathan Thompson, Esq., Stubbing Court, Chesterfield. 

The Rev. W. S. Temple, Leamington. 

John Thompson, Esq., Wooler. 

Mrs. J.Brough Taylor, St. Thomas' Street, Newcastle. 

Mrs. Todhunter, Harewood Hill, Darlington. 

Messrs. R. Thompson and Co., Darlington, ten copies. 

Mr. Edwin S. Thompson, London, large paper. 

Nicholas Trant, Esq., Bedale. 

George Taylor, Esq., High Bailiff of the County Courts, Durham. 

The Rev. Geo. Thompson, Wisbeach, large paper. 

Robert Wise, Esq., Highfield House, Malton. 

T. G. "Wright, Esq., M. D., Wakefield. 

H. R. E. Wright, Esq., Stockton. 

Albert Way, Esq., F. S. A., Wonham Manor, Reigate. 

O. B. Wooler, Esq., Darlington. 

The Rev. R. H. Williamson, jun., Lamesley. 

Mr. John Wilkinson, Darlington ; two copies, one on large paper. 

Mr. G. J. Wilson, Darlington. 

Mr. Thomas Watson, Darlington. 

J. R. Wilson, Esq., Stockton. 

Thomas Wilson, Esq., Fell House, Gateshead. 



DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER. 



: acing the Title-page. 


... facing 


page 38."" 


»j 


„ 218. 


,, 


» 247. 


)» 


„ 249. 


,, 


„ 263. 


> 


„ 276. 


„ 


„ xxi. 



The Binder will place the separately-printed Illustrations in the following order : — 

St. Cuthbert's Church 

Darlington in 1790 '..♦ . 

Stalls and Misereres in St. Cuthbert's, 2 plates 

Trinity Church 

St. John's Church 

Hylton Castle 

Local Tokens, Seals, and Autographs 

Portrait of George Allan. Esq., M.P. 

AllanArms 

Blackwell Grange 

Autographs „ „ xxxui."' 

Immediately after the termination of the divisions paged in Arabic numerals, he 
will place the pedigrees (which are unpaged) as they now stand in Part IV. To follow 
them he will transfer Division VI (which is paged in Roman numerals) from Part III. 
The Roman numerals then follow consecutively to the end of the Index. 

The Title, Preface, and List of Subscribers, to commence the volume, will be found 
at the conclusion of Part IV. 



DARLINGTON 



ITS ANNALS AND CHARACTERISTICS 



DIVISION I. 



SOTTATOSTs, 22T&SOL MTID WAIEEELSa 




HE RIVER TEES, after dashing for some distance 
through rocks vast and wild, receives the " rosy flow " of 
the Greta, and meandering through fields and green plan- 
tations, with ever and anon a peaceful village or stately 
mansion on its banks, arrives at a point of soft and deli- 
, a cate beauty. The Skerne, a sluggish, but withal, in some 
parts, a pretty stream, rushes through a single arch into 
Jj the larger course, on a shelving bed of red sandstone, and gliding through 
a deeply-recessed and noble bridge, of enormous Gothic arches, with some 
opposition loses its colour, and becomes one and the same with the Tees. 
At the confluence, it constitutes a boundary between two parishes, Darlington 
and Hurworth. The former is an irregular district, boundering the Tees for 
some distance, and skirted by the parishes of Coniscliffe, Heighington, 
Haughton-le-Skerne, and Hurworth, in the palatinate, and by Cleasby and 
Croft in Yorkshire. It is divided into four townships : Darlington, Arch- 
deacon Newton, Blackwell, and Oockerton ; that of Darlington being sub- 
divided into the constableries of Darlington Borough, Bondgate, Priestgate 
or Prebend-row, and Oxen-le-field. 



ETYMOLOGY OF THESE NAMES. 



Lambarde, in his Dictionary, p. 91, mentions " Darnton, ©eartmgtun, 
antiquitus, and ©cartngton," as "a market towne in the byshoprike of 
Durham, which one Styr, by lycence of Kinge Etheldred, gave to Aldhune, 

B 



2 ETYMOLOGY OF THE 

Byshop of Durham, imediately after that he came to eattle the sea at Durham." 
Allan adds, " Darningtun, Derlyngton, Darneton, Darrhton, and Darlington 
{as the name of this town is variously spelt or written), .... Query, if any 
derivation from the Saxons." {Allan MSS.) 

Not to mention the popular joke of the name of Darlington having arisen 
from the circumstance of there having been originally only three farm-houses 
tm the site, called Bar, Ling, and Ton, the derivations given are amusingly 
numerous. Behold ! cum notis : 

1. Deor or deorling, dilectus, and tun or ton, villa, the chosen town, built on holy land, 
•and the favourite place of the prelates. — Hutchinson. 

2. " I have somewhere seen that the Skerne was called the Dare, and Dare-inge-tun 
would very well represent the actual site of the place, amidst the deep rich inges or 
meadows of the Skerne." Surtees. — 4 Edw. VI. Demise to Lawrence Thornell, Gent., of 
the Low Parke of Darlington and the Medoives on the Skerne. — " The These, heyng past 
Ramforth, it runneth betwene Persore and Cliffe, and in the way to Croftes Bridge taketh 
in the Skerne, a pretye water which riseth above Trimdon, and goeth by Fishburne, 
Bradbury, Preston, and Darlington : and finally meeting with the Cocke becke, it falleth 

into the These beneath Stapleton, before it come to Croftes bridge Leland, writing 

of the These, repeateth the names of sundry riuerets, whereof in the former Treatize I 
have made no mencion at all, notwithstanding that some of their courses may be touched 
in the same, as the Thurisgill, whose heade is not farre from the Spittle that I do reade 
of in Stanmoore ; the Grettey commeth by Barningham and Mortham, and falleth into 
the These above Croftes bridge. The Dare or Dere runneth by Darlington, and likewise 
into the These above the aforesayd bridge." Harrison's Description of England, prefixed 
to Hollinshed's Chronicles, edit. 1577, pp. 30, 68. — 37 Eliz. A close of Nun-Stainton 
Manor on the Skerne is described as Darlyng-close. 

3. The same derivation, substituting the Cockerbeck as identical with the Dare. 
" Now, in the winter months, this stream, from being swollen, and rushing directly at 
right angles into the Skerne (which is then also much enlarged), overflows its banks, 
and causes a separate stream to run parallel with the Skerne for a considerable distance, 
causing, however (though much improved of late), a quantity of wet and marshy ground; 
this gives rise to the ing, which is the Danish fo* a low and wet ground ; therefore, the name 
signifies the town on the Ings of the Dare, the letter (I) being merely interposed for 
euphony" (Darlington and Stockton Times, No. 1). — " The These, a river that beareth 

and feedeth an excellent salmon in the waie to Croftsbridge taketh in the 

Skerne, a pretie water, which riseth above Trimdon, and goeth by Fishburne, Bradburie, 
Preston, Braforton, Skirmingham, the Burdons, Haughton, and Darlington, and there 
finallie meeting with Cocke-becke or Dare, it falleth in the These beneath Stapleton, 
before it come to Croftsbridge, and (as it should seeme) is the same which Leland calleth 
Gretteie or Grettie." Such is Hutchinson's quotation of Hollinshed, from some appa- 
rently later edition, very different from that of 1577 now before me. It seems to be an 
awkward attempt by a stranger to this country to incorporate Leland 's description with 
Harrison's ; and the Cockerbeck as little fulfils the former description of the Dare as the 
^Skerne corresponds with the Greta. It does not flow into the Tees, as the Dare of 1577 
did ; nor could it be said to run by Darlington. As to Ing, it seems originally to have 
meant an in or inclosure, as distinguished from the common field (Brockett's Glossary), 
and is used for any low flat ground. Hire says CEng is a flat meadow between a town and a 
river, on which the market or fair is held, which is an exact description of the Ings on 
which the great fortnight fair for cattle is held at Wakefield. 

4. Dare, water, ing, a meadow, ton, a town, the Town on the watery meadows, " from 
'the quantity of water which formerly overflowed the banks of the Skerne, -covering 



TOWNSHIP NAMES. % 

many acres of ground for upwards of a mile." (E. S. Thompson, in Darlington and 
Stockton Times, 1847.) Leland's Dare was, however, clearly a river. 

5. Dar, water, ling, diminutive (gosling, &c.) and ton, the town on the small stream. 
(Same paper. " Veritas.") But the I is modern. 

6. The town ofDeorn's son, Ing, in Saxon, being equivalent to son in modern times. J. R. 

It may already have been surmised that I incline to Surtees's opinion ; and 
this I do in consequence of the very clear identification in the Hollinshed of 
1577 of the Dare and Skerne. In the earliest records, however, the name 
occurs as Dearningtiin, Demington, Demigntune, forms correctly contracted 
in Darnton and Demton. Now, Derne, in names of rivers, has a tendency to 
change into Dare. Thus, on the Severn, Harrison mentions Dour or Doum- 
steir-fall, Damt, which runneth to Darington (a common spelling also of our 
Darlington), and into the sea at Darntmouth, and the Dame in the West 
Riding of Yorkshire (now Derne), which cometh to Darton (another ortho- 
graphy of my subject place) ward, to Derfielde, &c. The word which, in its 
form Darnt or Dernt, Harrison in describing a stream of the name which 
falls into the Thames, makes identical with Darwent, is very common in 
names of rivers ; witness the secluded Derness which flows into the Wear. 
In all probability the Skerne or Dare was anciently the Derne. It may have 
connection with water, or with derne, deamenga, Sax : secret, dark, hidden, 
or it may be to point out the sluggishness of the water, and be identical with 
the northern Terne or Derne, a standing pool. 

Helhecke, in Westmoreland, so called " bycause it commeth from the derne and elinge 
mountaines by a town of the same denomination." Harrison. Bailey gives Ellinge 
(alleine, alone, Teut.) as solitary, lonely, &c. ; and truly many of the Westmoreland 
streams are derne and elinge. 

" The Terne riseth in a mere nere unto Terne Mere in Staffordshire." Harrison. 

" Flass Hall stands low and sequestered, within a reach of the Derness,'" &c. Surtees. 

In a cliff on Hartside, Northumberland, is a strong cavernous fissure called Darney 
Hall, probably, says Hodgson, from the water, which in some parts of the fissure can 
be ascertained to be in it by the splashing noise made at its bottom by throwing stones 
into it. [Qu. from Derne, hidden, and ey or ea, water,] 

Parson and White's Directory mentions that Darlington is " said to have derived its 
name from the lingering stream of the old Dar or Der, which evidently formed a pool 
and morass from opposite the church to the mill-holme." 

A Darlington, in Devonshire, occurs 1 Edw. I. (Ing. p. m.) and a Darling- 
ton in Nott, 4 Edw. III. (Abb. Bot. orig.) Darrington, near Pontefract, 
oddly has Stapleton and Smeaton near it, like our Darlington. 

Bondgate. — " Unde Framwellgate ? It is, at any rate, a corrupt ortho- 
graphy, and has nothing to do with a well. Leland, I observe, calls it 
Framagate, and mentions a street of the same name at Kendal. Now, will 
you have my conjecture ? for a fool's bolt, they say, is soon shot. It should 
be written Framengate (as it is in one place by Leland), and was, originally, 
a street set apart for the habitation of foreigners, or persons not entitled to 
the franchise of the city : from Frem or Fremd, alienus, extraneus. It was 
certainly a custom, in ancient times, for people of the same description to 



4 ETYMOLOGY OP THE 

reside together, as the Jews do in most places to this day ; and hence your 
Bondgate in Darlington, Auckland, &c. You may overturn this fine system 
if you can/' (Ritson to Mr Harrison, 1797). It is merely necessary to add, 
for the information of strangers, that Bondgate in Darlington includes those 
portions of the town not enjoying the franchise of the Borough and Prebend-row. 
In Hatfield's Survey (about 1380), Cokyrton-gate occurs as the name of the 
street now bearing the appellation of Bondgate in particular. 

Prebend Row, or PriestgaTe. This little district takes its name from 
its including the possessions of the Prebendary of Darlington, in the colle- 
giate church. Row is Rsewa, Saxon. "Row and Raw" observes Mr Hodgson, 
in his History of Northumberland, " are akin to the French rue ; but in the 
upland part of the northern counties were formerly chiefly confined to those 
lines of dwelling-houses which lay along the fell sides, and had between them 
and the beck, or river of the dale, the inclosed ground, of which the houses 
were the several messuages/' 

As to gate in Priestgate and other streets, the word has no reference to 
fortifications, but simply means a way or road. In many northern villages 
the public road passing through is still called the towngate ; and we have the 
expressions, " Gang your gate" (go your way) ; " What gate are ye ganging?" 
" How many gates (journies) have ye taken T " To go agatewards " (to 
accompany a short way). The word is Saxon. Families of the names of 
Wood and Wright were living at Darnton Yatts, parish of Haughton, in 
the last century. 

Oxenhale, Oxenhall, Oxen-le-Field, or Oxeneyfield. A veryproper 
name for a detached portion of Darlington township, locally situated in that 
of Blackwell, and containing the famous Hell-Kettles. Ea is water. In its 
singular number it occurs in Heaton on the Ewsbum ; Eaton, Water-^aton 
(pleonastic), the river Eymo\t, &c. In its plural, in the rivers Ex, Ax, EsJc, 
Ouse (on which is Odborough), in Jesmond (originally Jesmouth, the mouth 
of the Ewsbum, the j being nothing but the Saxon particle ge, so long retained 
in our language, sometimes also pronounced hard, as in Gosbeck), Ouse-mere 
(part of Ulleswater), and a long string of places, deriving from the various 
forms of the word. Egglescliffe sometimes occurs as ExcW and JU'^cliffe. 
Brewster remarks, that wherever " aix " occurs in names of towns in France, 
it implies the presence of waters, particularly mineral waters. Oxen-le-Field 
is the field of waters ; Oxenhale, the low place of waters. There is an Oxen- 
field in Lancashire, near Winander-meer, and an Oxenhall in Gloucestershire. 
Oxney Island, in Kent, is surrounded by the river Bother. The name 
extended to the township of Blackwell. In Hatfield's Survey, it is stated, 
under " Blackwell/' that Peter Thomesson, in right of his wife, held half an 
acre and half a rood in Oxenhal-flat, 16c?. 

Cockerton, from the Cockerbeck. 

Archdeacon Newton. " The new town/' where the Archdeacon of 
Durham has a manor. 



TOWNSHIP NAMES. 5 

Blackwell. Black is often applied to water, as in Blackmere, Blackburn, 
from the blackness of the Derwent on which it stands, &c, ; but the word is 
of very extensive meaning. In such names as Black Banks (in this town- 
ship), Black Blakehope, &c, it evidently means bleak, the former being part 
of Blackwell-moor ; but blake, in the western parts of the north of England, 
includes all the shades of terra di sienna, from dark-coloured gold to the brown 
of mahogany. It is yellow, tinged with red, but free from any blue. But in 
the Saxon blacian or blcecan, which mean to blacken, to grow pale, to bleach, 
all warmth is taken out, and the hue becomes chilled with blue or black 
shades (Hodgson). A wound in the North is said to be blakening when it 
puts on an appearance of healing. As to well, in this case it probably has 
reference to the sweeping turn of the river ; wellen, in German, signifying to 
turn. Thus the Latins have who, and wel implies waves, which are con- 
tinually coming and going. If it refers to water, it is simply the old word, elle, 
water, aspirated by w, in the same manner as it is by h in Holland, Hull, 
&c. There were certainly some wells at Blackwell, famous enough to give 
names to fields. 



LOCAL FAMILIES NAMED AFTER THE TOWNSHIPS. 

Residence or birth at Darlington, of course gave name to families. A 
great number of ecclesiastics were named after it, some of which will here- 
after occur. In an early Denton charter among the witnesses occur 
" Ricardo de Holynsede ; Bernardo filio et haerede de Derlyngton," A local 
race of the name occurs in the first register, and the plague of 1597 carried 
off Robert Darnton, or Darlington, his wife, William Darnton or Darlington, 
and .... Darnton. The name stra^les on anions: the registers and 
lists of freeholders, till 1622, when John Darlington, son and heir of Robert, 
lately deceased, was admitted to his father's burgage, in Blackwellgate, and 
excused the payment of his relief on account of poverty. John Darnton, 
par. Winston, was married by license to Jane Richardson, par. Haughton, in 
1665, and William Darnton, a stranger, was buried here in 1727-8. The 
name occurs again in full vigour at that period, and continues to this day in 
the towTi. A family of Darnton has been settled in Leeds for between 200 
and 300 years past, of which race Darnton Lupton, and John Darnton 
Luccock, were respectively mayors of that town in 1845 and 1846. But the 
name occurs elsewhere in the West Riding, and its owners may be sprung 
from Darrington. 

1568. John Docketh, clark curat, in Whitworth, leaves " to Annes Darneton a 
gemer lambe, and Alleson Pickering, my seruands, a gemer lamb." 

There were some very respectable booksellers of the name in Darlington, 
Vesey and Darnton occur in 1762, and Thomas Darnton and William 



6 DARNTON FAMILY, 

Darnton separately occur in 1779. The latter was printer and seller of 
some Pastoral Poems, by J. Richardson, Yarm, in that year. The poems 
are full of Damons and Chloes, and are tiresome enough, but the printing is 
bold and good. In 1776, one of these Darntons occurs in partnership with 
one Smith, as printer of a sketch of the life of Bishop Trevor, but the tract 
was, in fact, one of George Allan's, and the following passage from his son's 
lively paper, in Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, will sufficiently explain the 
circumstance. "Being thus set up, as above, with a regular apparatus, he 
hired a devil, a poor fellow that occasioned him more trouble than if he had 
done all the drudgery himself ; but he believed the man to be honest, and as 
he was friendless, so far from dismissing him without remuneration, he 
enabled him to enter into partnership with a bookseller in Darlington ; and 
on finishing the Legend of St. Cuthbert, he permitted George Smith to be 
placed in the title as the printer, with a view to gain him some credit in his 
profession. [Darlington: Printed by George Smith, 1777.] This partner- 
ship did not last long ; but, during its continuance, my father very kindly 
corrected the press, even of every common handbill that went from the office ; 
and though he did not condescend to correct ballads, the printing of which 
was the chief part of the business, a copy was always brought to him. He 
had a bundle of these performances, which I am not able to find ; but I 
recollect it contained a vast display of ribaldry and typographical error, which 
were equally amusing. After Smith's failure, he was again retained for the 
private press ; but he was the perpetual cause of trouble and anxiety, for my 
father never went into the printing-room without being irritated by the dirty 
manner in which the forms were kept, and the filthy state of the types when 
distributed. Besides this, more time was lost in correcting repeated proofs, 
than he could well bear ; and the fellow becoming shamefully addicted to 
cock-fighting, a vice very prevalent in this county, which my father, if 
possible, held in greater abhorrence than drunkenness, he was dismissed. He 
was, however, never totally abandoned by him ; and is now living at Dar- 
lington, obtaining occasional employment, having some relief from the parish, 
and sometimes partaking of a share of my bounty. The amusement was carried 
on afterwards by the assistance of a relation, whose time was his own ; and 
the correction of the press was latterly the only part my father performed." 
Many of my older readers will recollect the good for nothing retainer to the 
Allans, Geordie Smith, and both old and young may still picture the last of 
his partner's family, that " ancient lady" Miss Darnton, who so long was 
bookseller and sole newspaper agent for the town, in the ^shop now Mr. 
Charge, the sadler's, next to the Fleece. Her success made her rather 
saucy, and a gentleman told me once, that when a blushing modest youth, he 
cautiously went into her shop to ask for Shakspeare's Works, the answer he 
got was " Why, I think you're like one of Shakspeare's characters yourself," 
which made him blush still more, nor did he ever discover what sort of 
character was alluded to. 



NEWTON FAMILY. 7 

The following coats are given by Burke, under the name of Darlington: 
I. Az. guttee ar. or a fesse or, three crosses crosslet gu. Crest, a winged 
pillar. 2. The same arms, adding in chief a leopard's face of the second. 
3. Az. guttee ar. on a fesse between three leopards' heads or, as many 
crosses crosslet gu. The arms given for Barling, of London, are nearly 
similar, Az. guttee ar. on a fesse of the last three crosses crosslet fitchee gu. 
In the seal of John de Derlyngtone, Canon in Lanchester Collegiate Church 
and Prebendary of the Prebend of Esh, 1380, he displays a shield bearing a 
plain cross, charged with five objects like eagles displayed, and surrounded 
by the legend, 

" * Jstgtihr : iotyi& : tit : ton'Iyngtoiu :" 

Qu. if not the arms of Duresme. Ar. on across gu. 5 fleur-de-lis or. The seal is 
engraved in Surtees. 

In a collection of armorial bearings begun by Geo. Allan, and continued by 
Mr. Edw. Kobson, there is a description in the hand of the latter of a coat for 
" Darlington town," without any authority quoted, viz., six lioncels rampant 
or, 3, 2 and 1. The heading of the Darlington Mercury in 1773, however, 
only displays the arms of the see. The old seal of the Grammar School 
presented a rebus, a rude D and a tun, and the same idea occurs in Foun- 
tains Abbey, in those parts which were built by John Darneton, abbot from 
1478 to 1494. In the Nine Altars' Chapel, on a keystone of one of the 
older lights, is the bust of an angel holding a tun, with the word dern 
inscribed on its breast ; above this is a large bird, a scroll, containing 
another allusion B'n'd' fontes d'no (0 fountains, bless the Lord). Above 
the large window, over the western door, is a niche, supported by the 
figure of a bird, holding a crosier, and perched on a tun, from wmence issues a 
label inscribed dern, and the date 1494. In both cases, if, says Walbran, in 
his capital little Guide to Ripon, &c, the bird represents a thrush, there was 
exhibited a second rebus for the founder Thurstan, but if an eagle, it may, as 
the symbol of St. John, signify only the christian name ot Darneton. 

Archdeacon Newton. Hugo ds Newton held a burgage in le Chares 
(Post House Wynd) by fealty, and three suits at the Borough Court 
Richard Northman, son of Dionisia Orre, nephew and heir. 10 Hatfield. 

Blackwell. In 8 Bury, Ralph Blacwell held a messuage and five score 
acres in Blackwell, by homage, fealty, and 24s. Richard, his son and heir, 
aged 22. 5 Hatfield, Richard Blacicell, jointly with Sibil, his wife, a 
messuage and five ox-gangs, by 23s. 8d., value 40s. Ralph, son and heir, 
aged twenty-six weeks. At the time of Hatfield's Survey, (about 1380) this 
property (which shows that twenty acres went to the ox-gang at Blackwell) 
is holden by John Middleton, in right of his wife, by the description of one 
messuage and five ox-gangs, which were once John of Blackwell's, and were 
granted by charter to hold by knight's service, and the 16th part multure 
[at Blackwell Mill] et cooperabit* molas supra le Louthre, 23s. 8d. rent 
* Surtees, sub tit. Blackwell. 



8 BLACKWELL AND OXENHALE FAMILIES. 

The same John holds a parcel of tillage called Gromball, containing 16 acr. 
and 3 roods, and 2 parcels of tillage called Lynholme * and Elstantoftes ; and 
one tenement called Le Castle Bill, with the herbage of Bathley, containing 
four acres of meadow and pasture : also, the same John holds one plot or 
parcel, which is built upon, and half an ox-gang ; a toft, with a croft of half a 
rood, 12d., and the toft which was once William of OxenhaWs, with a croft of 
one acre, by charter, 2d. The family long continued at Blackwell. 

1575. June 31. John Myddleton of Blackwell, to be buried in Darneton churche 
Eldest son John Myddleton; son Robert xx£. over his porc'on — daughters Ellen and 
Jane yd. over their porc'ons — to the poore xs. — to the repayre of Darneton Church iiis. 
iiiid. — to James Whyte of London, my brother-in-lawe, and Anne his wyfe, to eyther 
a ryall — to Mr. Hall xiis. — Francis WyclyfFe a goulde ryall, trusting he will be frendly 
to my children — my wife Elizabeth, Mr. Frauncis Wyclyffe, and Mr. Harrison to see my 
will performed. Witness, James Thorneton, clerke, Leonard Dodsworth, John Harrison. 
Proved 7 Oct. 1575. 

5 Dec. 21 Eliz. Elizabeth, widow of John Middleton, held half a close called Stick- 
bitch, when she died, 29 June, 17 Eliz. John, son and heir, aged 18. (Stick-a-bitch is 
a farm between Darlington and Croft. At Hatfield's Survey Emma Morrell held three 
acres at Spyklyt. Qu. Stickabitch ?) 

Thomas, son of John Midleton of Blackwell Feildhouse, bap. Oct. 21, 1631. — Same 
day, Elizabeth Midleton, wife of the said John, bur. — John Midleton, senior, of Black- 
well, bur. Feb. 29, 1631-2.— Katherine Midleton, widow, of Blackwell, bur. Sep. 26, 
1632.^ John Middleton of Blackwell, gent., bur. Dec. 30, 1659.— William Middleton of 
Blackwell, the elder, bur. 20 July, 1671.— Mr. John Middleton of Cleseby, bur. 22 April, 
1686.— William, s. William Middleton of Blackwell, bap. 24 July, 1656.— Thomas, &c, 
24 April, 1663.— ( Darlington Par. Beg. J 

1633. Ralph Blackwell, adm. to Tresham (Stressholmes.) — (Halmot Court Books, 
Blackwell. J 

1642. John Middleton demises to Thomas Swinburne, executor to James Bellasis, 
Esq., deceased, all right in a close called Tresham and some townland. — (lb.) 

22 Cha. I. Eleanor Winteringhton, next of kin, (consang.) and heiress of Ralph 
Blackwell, adm. to premises at Cockerton. Ralph is called her uncle in the body of the 
admittance. — (Ralph Blackwell of Cockerton, bur. 2 Dec, 1644. — Bar. Reg.) 

The name is found straggling previously both in Darlington and Haughton 
Registers. Most of the property of the Blackwells and Middletons eventually 
came to the Allans. 

Oxenhalb. Under Boldon book, William held Oxenhall under certain 
services, and the same tenure is recited in the inquest on Nicholas de Oxen- 
hale, who died seized of the manor in 1337, leaving Richard his son and heir. 
The local name occurs no more, and the manor passed to the Nevilles. 

* Elizabeth, wife of Francis Wardel, of Linnam-House, near Blackwell, buried 20th 
December, 1695. 



SCENERY. 



SITUATION AND CHARACTER OF SCENERY. 

When Raumer visited England in 1835, Richmond and Darlington, as 
well as Durham and the vale of the Wear, reminded him of the countries on 
the Elbe and the valley of the Elbe between Pillnitz and Dresden. The 
nearest mountains swell in but a distant view, " clad in colours of the air/' 
no castles proudly tower in the skies, the vallies are not confined by steep 
rocks, and there is an utter want of romance about the scenes near Dar- 
lington, but then all this leads to a quietness of beauty which is on no 
account to be overlooked. The calm of mind produced by the silent shade 
of numberless varieties of trees, and by the sweet river side scenes, which as 
Howitt remarks, abound, and yet are so little observed by travellers in the 
north-eastern counties of England, arises from a more pleasing, though 
less nervous tone of admiration, than that caused by the rugged elegance of 
more broken country. There is a rich and comfortable appearance about the 
hidden vale of Tees, and the ideas produced on my mind on my first approach 
to Darlington, on a pedestrian excursion in 1842, w T hen I left Stapleton and 
gazed on the various dyes of the woods of Baydale, have not yet departed, 
although now writing, immediately after a morning's walk, on this cold 22nd 
day of December. The snugness of the woody bounds of Grange, the sullen 
and half-congealed Tees, the waning moon and stars, and the crisp line 
formed by the leafless trees against the gradually reddening grey of the East, 
rising from a bosom of the hoar frost's silver, gave an effect to the appear- 
ance of Blackwell, which in no way yielded to its autumnal dress. The 
day scene from Woodside, and the unveiling of the West, near the Nunnery, 
are two delicate morsels for any one w r ho finds 

Books in running brooks, 
Sermons in stones, and good in every thing. 

But I leave all details for my rural chapters, my distant readers will gather 
an inkling of what I want to be at, and picture a soft, fertile, and extensive 
valley. Fill ye up the scene with one or two rivers on their journey to the 
deep, a steeple on a height, a spire in a hollow, with pleasant seats and warm 
plantations ; such are the suburbs of Darlington. The old part of the town 
stands on a steepish declivity, facing the East, with the Skerne slowly 
wandering 

Like human life, to endless sleep, 

at its foot. It is a very central station, is on the course of the great line of 
road from London to Berwick, one of the eight grand thoroughfares set out in 
Harrison's Description of England, prefixed to Hollinshed, and in his 
instructions, " How a man may journey from any notable towne in England, 

c 



10 VICTIMS OF 

to the citie of London, or from London to any notable towne in the Realme," 
it occurs in the way from Barwike to Yorke, thus : 

From Durham to Darington, xiij. mile. 
From Darington to Northalerton, xiiij. mile. 

In our days, these distances would stand as 18 and 16 miles. Darlington is 
distant 12 miles from Stockton, 16 from Barnard-castle, 12 from Richmond., 
32 from Newcastle (39f by rail), 48 from York (45 by rail), and 241 from 
the metropolis. Dibdin in his Tour (ii. 247), says that " Upon the whole 
the county of Durham all through, cannot boast, I think, a large aggregate 
of riches. Darlington would be nothing if it were not a post town. Har- 
tlepool is a poor inconsiderable fishing town ; and if it were not for the 
clerical revenue and patronage of Durham, I should think that Sunderland 
might buy the whole county." The present state of affairs shows how very 
little Dibdin knew of the resources of Darlington, when he says that it 
would be nothing without its posting. It is true that the new mode of 
transit has brought great wealth to some of its inhabitants, but independently 
of that, its markets and manufactures have ever made it a place of some con- 
sequence. In Leland's time it was " the best market-town in the Bishop- 
rick, saving Duresme," and in later times " the most noted town in England 
for the linen manufacture, especially Hugabacks/'* nay more, if we adopt 
another writer's zealous assertion, for such manufactures it was " the most 
noted place in the whole world /"f 



THE WATERS OF THE PARISH OF DARLINGTON. 

The parish is watered by three rivers, the Tees, the Skerne, and the 
Cockerbeck. The first of these eccentrically winds from Tees Cottage to 
Blackwell and thence to Croft bridge, near which, as before mentioned, it 
receives the sluggish Skerne. The Cockerbeck flowing from Walworth, on 
its arrival at the Darlington territories, divides in times of flood, and causes 
a large portion of the parish to become an island, one branch assuming the 
name of Bay dale Beck, J and falling into the Tees near Tees Cottage, the 
other retaining its name and meandering along until it runs into the Skerne, 
at right angles, at the head of Northgate. 

ANNALS OE THE WATERS. 

And, first, their victims claim our notice. A long and dreary list might 
be presented to my readers, were I to include all that have been chronicled, 

* John Dyer's MSS. 

+ Universal Magazine, 1 749, " from an ingenious correspondent, who subscribes himself 
Conyers." 

X This beck only carries off the waste or overflowing waters of the Cockerbeck; its head 
being on a higher level than the bed of the larger brook. 



THE WATERS. 11 

but knowing how harrowing it is to have the memorials of their deaths 
dragged before eyes but newly tearless, I have confined the melancholy 
catalogue to the earlier entries of the register and one or two of the more 
remarkable of the modern records. 

1608. May 23. — Agnes Thompson, a servant of John Watson, drowned in Tees, and 
buried. 

1613. July 3. — John Horner, who was drowned, the son of Robert Horner of Dar- 
lington, buried. 

1620. May. — An infant drowned in the river of Skerne, buried. 

June 1. — Barbary Rutter, dau. of Ralph Rutter of Black well, drowned and 
buried. 

1621-2. March 1. — Henry Wetherelt of Aldbrough, drowned in Tees, buried. 

— 15. — A certain old woman called Old Agnes, drowned in Skerne, buried. 

1623-4. January 18. — Agnes Thompson of Black well, drowned under the mill wheel, 
buried. 

1624. Oct. 12. — Katherine Lawsonn, wife of Lancelot Lawsonn of Gainforde, drowned 
in Tees, buried. 

1624-5. March 10. — Bartholomew Langestraffe and Margaret Langstraffe, sons 
(filii! ) of John Langstraffe of Blackwell, drowned, buried. 

1626. March 25. — Thomas Dent of Midleton a rawe, drowned in the river of Skerne, 
buried. * 

1628. June 6. — Margaret Simpson of Ovington, drowned in Tees, buried. 

1638. July 22. — William Allanson of Darlington, drowned in the river of Skerne, 
buried. 

1639-40. March 11. — Thomas Branson, of Darlington, drowned in the river of 
Skerne, buried. 

1641. Oct. 12. — Cuthbert Birde of Midleton tires, drowned in Tees, buried. 

1652. April 8. — Isabell Sympson, the daugter of Anthony Sympson of Blackwell, 
who was supposed to be slaine, bap. 

1652. April 20. — Anthonye Sympson of Blackwell, was Burried when he was found 
in Blackwell mill damme, and had not been sene for 18 weeke. 

1652-3. Feb. 26. — Francis Sympson, late wife of Anthnie Sympson of Blackwell, 
buried. 

1653. Dec. — Henry Firbanke of Forcet, in the countie of Yorke, who was found 
lying drowned in Blackwell Holme, buried. 

Blackwell Holme is the low ground lying South of the new road leading 
down to Blackwell bridge, under Holme Wood. It is probable that the 
unfortunate man was crossing the horse ford which was close to the place 
where the bridge now stands (the ferry being lower down, opposite Stapleton), 
and that his body was swept round the bold curve of the river into the Holme 
and left there. A holme signifies land overgrown with natural trees in the 
vicinity of water (as the Holmes at Thirsk) no matter whether flat or steep. 
In the latter character are the Holme Bank and the High Holmes near Hill 
House. 

Blackwell Holme, which sometime belonged to Baby Vane, by marriage 
with the daughter of Archdeacon Sayer, is copyhold, and appears to have 
formed part of the vast district called Baydales, as in 1640 mention is made 
of "Badell banU in Black well field alias BlacJavel Holme," and in 1644, 



If VICTfMSOF 

" Blackwell Holme within Badell alias Badell Flatt?'* At present, Baydale 
Banks and Baydale Bank Bottom are names in Mr. K. H. Allan's freehold 
estate of Bay dales. Both it and Black well Holme were the estates of George 
Allan, Esq., M.P.,but Blackwell Holme was subsequently sold to the Bowers of 
Welham. In draining the morass of Baydale bottoms, numbers of gnarled 
oaks were found, either fallen from the banks above, or swept to that position 
by the river. They were huge patriarchs of the forest, black as ebony, but 
sound at the heart withal. 

1653-4. March 2. — -A stranger was buried who was found drowned in Skearne about 
Glassen-Sikes. 

Glassensikes is the name of certain closes of which (with Windmill Hill) 
Christopher Barnes (Borough Bailiff) died seised in 1630-1, and which were 
purchased from the family of Bowes of Thornton Hall, by Miss Allan. The 
Allans sold a portion of them piecemeal, but the lots were subsequently 
bought up and reunited by the late Jonathan Backhouse, Esq. This 
territory is watered by a small runner of the same name which flows past the 
new parsonage house and Harewood Grove, crosses under the Croft road 
(being formerly an open stell upon it) and joins the Skerne at the place to 
which it gives name. The word is probably composed of Glassene, blue or 
grey, and sike, the old legal term for anything less than a beck, which in its 
turn is anything less than a river. The former word is still used for blue or 
grey in Wales, and the following extract from the valuable notes to the Lays 
of the Deer Forest, <$•&, by the Stuarts is too appropriate to be omitted. After 
remarking that grey was anciently the badge of the churl and peasant, they 
observe that there was another cause for which it was peculiarly disagreeable 
to the Highlanders when first introduced among them. 

" Among them grey was to their imagination what black is to their neighbours, a 
personification of sombre, superstitious and ghostly ideas, and hence associated with 
phantoms and demons. Thus, an apparition is called an Riochd — the grey or wan; 
the spectre foreboding death, am bodach glas — the grey carl; a phantom in the shape of 
a goat, an Glastig or Glasdidhf — the grey; and as in the South, the great enemy is 
named familiarly " the black gentleman," so in the Highlands he is called Mac-an- 
Riochda — ' the son of the Grey! In the ideas of the old wives and children of the last 
century, all these personifications, except one, were as nearly as possible those of the 
modern dubh-ghall deer-stalker in his hodden grey — wanting only the Jim Crow, ruffian, 
or crush hat, enormities which had not then completed the masquerade of Death and Satan. 

" It is easy to trace the origin of this association. The ancient Caledonian hell, like 
that of Scandinavia, was a frozen and glassy region, an island named Ifrinn, far away 
.among the 'wan waters' of the Northern ocean, and inclosed in everlasting ice, and snow, 
and fog. In this dim region the appearance of the evil spirits, like that of mortals in 
similar circumstances, was believed to be wan and shadowy, like men seen through a 
frosty mist." 

* Hahrrot Court Books. 
+ " It lias pleased a writer of the Cockney school of Highlanders to convert this word 
into Glaslig, which, we take leave to observe, is unknown in the Highlands, and did not 
exist before the year 1841." 



THE WATERS. 13 

Sir Walter Scott, in his " Lady of the Lake/' alludes to the same super- 
stition : 

•'* His dazzled eyes 
Beheld the river-demon rise ; 
The mountain-mist took form and limb, 
Of noontide-hag or goblin grim ;" 

and adds, in a note, that " the noontide-hag, called in Gaelic Glas-lich, a tall, 
emaciated, gigantic female figure, is supposed, in particular, to haunt the dis- 
trict of Knoidart." 

Now, though I by no means intend to assert that the glassene gentleman 
or lady (for I am unable to define the ghost's gender) haunting Glassensikes 
is seen at noonday,* I will maintain that Glassensikes has goblins as grim 
as any river-damions of Scottish land. Headless gentlemen, who disappeared 
in flame, headless ladies, white cats, white rabbits, white dogs, black dogs ; 
" shapes that walk at dead of night, and clank their chains ;"-(• in fact, all the 
characteristics of the Northern Barguest were to be seen in full perfection at 
Glassensikes. It is true that these awful visions occasionally resolved them- 
selves into a pony, shackled in an adjoining field, or Stamper's white dog, or 
a pair of sweethearts " under the cold moon," (Qy : Did poets ever hear of 
persons walking above the moon, be she hot or be she chill T) but still a vast 
amount of credible evidence exists about the fallen glories of the night-roaming 
ghost of Glassensikes. The Glassensikes witnesses are not all thoughtless, 
and superstitious men. An old gentleman of Darlington was, at the witching 
hour of midnight, returning from Oxeneyfield. It was a bright moonlight 
night, and the glories of the firmament led him, as he says, to possess a more 
contemplative turn of mind than he ever felt before or since. In such a 
frame he thought that if nothing was to be seen in the day, nothing could 
well haunt Glassensikes by night, and in firm faith, but without any wish to 
exercise an idle curiosity, he determined to look to it very narrowly, and 
satisfy himself as to the fallacy of the popular notion. Accordingly, when 
he came to the place where the road to Harewood Hill now turns off, he 
looked back, and was greatly surprised to see a large animal's head popped 
through the stile at the commencement of the footpath, leading by the pre- 
sent Woodside to Blackwell. Next came a body. Lastly, came a tail. Now 
my hero, having at first no idea that the unwelcome visitant was a ghost, was 
afraid that it would fly at him, for it bounced into the middle of the road and 
stared intently at him, whereupon he looked at it for some minutes, not 
knowing well what to do, and beginning to be somewhat amazed, for 
it was much larger than a Newfoundland dog, and unlike any dog he 
had ever seen, though well acquainted with all the canine specimens in the 

* There is a noontide ghost not very far off, however,— of whom hereafter, 
i* What does Grose mean by saying that " dragging chains is not the fashion of English 
ghosts; chains and black vestments being chiefly the accoutrements of foreign spectres, 
seen in arbitrary governments: dead or alive, English spirits are free?" for iu the North, 
the chain-dragging is one of the grand characteristics of uuhouselled spirits. 



14 VICTIMS OF 

neighbourhood ; moreover it was as black as a hound of hell. He thought 
it best to win the affections of so savage a brute, so cracked his fingers invit- 
ingly at it, and practised various other little arts for some time. The dog, 
however, was quite immovable, still staring ferociously, and as a near 
approach to it did not seem desirable, he turned his back and came to Dar- 
lington, as mystified about the reality of the Glassensikes ghost as ever. Of 
late years, this harmless sprite has seemingly become disgusted with the 
increased traffic past its wonted dwelling, and has become a very well- 
behaved domestic creature. The stream, however, loves to make new ghosts, 
and by its stagnant nature does every thing in its power to obtain them. 

The headless man who vanished in flame, was, of course, the many-named 
imp, ycleped Robin Goodfellow, Hobgoblin, Mad Crisp, Will-the-Wispe,* 
Will-with-a-wisp, Will-a-Wisp, Will-and-the-wisp, William-with-a-wispe, 
Will-o'-the-wisp, Kitty-with-a-wisp, Kit-with-the-canstick (candlestick), Jack- 
with-a-lanthorn, Jack-w'-a-lanthorns, Fire-drake, Brenning-drake, Dicke- 
a-Tuesday, Ignis fatuus, or Foolish Fire (because, says Blount, it only 
feareth fools), Elf-fire, Gyl-burnt-Tayle, Gillion-a-burnt-taile, Sylham lamps 
(being very frequent at Sylham in Suffolk), Sylens (Reginald Scot), Death- 
fires, Wat (seen in Buckinghamshire prisons), Mab (mab-led or mob-led in 
Warwickshire, signifies being led astray by a Will-o'-the-Wispe) with all the 
varieties of Puck. When seen on ship masts it is styled a complaisance, 
St. Helen's fire, St. Helmes fires, the Fires of St. Peter and St. Paul, St. 
Herme's fire and St. Ermyn ; in classic times Helen, and when two lights 
occurred, Castor and Pollux. The phenomenon is a forerunner of dearth in 
popular fancy, at sea it is a weather symbol, and in superstitious times the 
Romanist clergy persuaded the people that the lights were souls come out of 
Purgatory all in flame, to move them to give money, to say mass for them, 
each man thinking they might be some relations' souls, -j" 

The grand settlement of the Ignis fatuus (a natural marvel never yet 
satisfactorily explained) was in the little square field, now surrounded by 
roads. It revelled in its bogginess, the hedge near the Blackwell-lane was lit 
up by unearthly flames, and a woeful wight was unable to return from Black- 
well on one occasion, in consequence of a great gulph of fire there. I am 
given to understand that the Will-o'-Wisp has been seen even since Hare- 
wood Hill was built, and the field improved. I am not sure that the headless 
man of Prescott's stile (somewhat further up the bank, and hard by a little 
plantation of Nordykes, where the footpath to Blackwell turns out of the field 
into the lane) has quite disappeared from the ken of earthly eyes. I know 
not what the Prescotts did, but surely some dark deeds crossed their annals, 
or else their old deserted mansion at Blackwell, and their stile leading to it, 
would not have become the haunted spots they have. 

Lady ghosts are favourite accompaniments of water in the North. Both 
my former residences, Norton and Thirsk, had white ladies near them, on 

* A torch composed of a twist of straw. t Ellis's Brand, 1842, iii. 218. 



THE WATERS. J 5 

melancholy streams ; indeed, in the latter ease, the runner took a name from 
the circumstance, and is called the White-lass-beck. Like the Glassensikes 
spirit, the White-lass is rather protean in her notions, turning into a white 
dog, and an ugly animal which comes rattling into the town with a tremen- 
dous clitter-my-clatter, and is there styled a barguest. Occasionally, too, she 
turns into a genuine lady of flesh and blood, tumbling over a stile. The 
Norton goblins are equally eccentric. Two gentlemen (one, a very dear 
friend of mine, et est mihi scepe vocandus, now deceased) saw near a water 
an exquisitely beautiful white heifer turn into a roll of Irish linen, and 
then, when it vanished, one of them beheld a fair white damsel. The 
Thirsk maid was murdered ; and, some years ago, when a skeleton was 
dug up in a gravel pit near the beck, it was at once said to be that of 
the poor girl. 

Glassensikes has a rival in a streamlet running across a most uncanny- 
looking little glen between Darlington and Haughton, near Throstle Nest, 
where the maiden, the cat, and other shapes, gathered around the luckless 
traveller. But though they have not builders to blame for intrusion, they 
have fallen into the pet, and are now heard of even less than their cousins of 
the glassene sike. 

So much de albis puellis : on, on with the records of death. 

1714. Ma}" 14. — Joyce Habbs of Blackwell, drown 'd in the Teaze, bur. 

1721. Dec 19. — William Hall, servant to Christopher Wardel of Blackwell, drown'd 
i'th' Tees, buried. 

1722. July 10. — The corpse of one supposed to have been a man cast up by the Tees 
near Blackwell, buried. 

1722. Dec. 31. — Robert Lnck of Darlington, bricklayer, buried, he was drown'd in 
the Tees at Nesham. 

1724. April 1. — John Longstaff of Darlington, drown'd in the Mill-pott, buried. 

1725. July 1. — Mr. John Child of Blackwell, (who was drown'd in that part of the 
Tees call'd Consclif Caldron or Hob's hole on y e 2d of June), buried. 

Here are more ghostly associations. Hob is a name for many spirits of 
very varying characters. There was a Hob Hedeless (Headless) who infested 
the road between Hurworth and Neasham, but could not cross the running 
stream of the Kent, a little stream flowing into the Tees at the latter place. 
He was exorcised and laid under a large stone, formerly on the road side, for 
ninety-nine years and a day, on which stone, if any luckless personage sat, he 
would be glued there for ever. When the road was altered the stone was 
fearlessly removed. In the Conisclifle case, Hob was probably one of the 
kelpies or evil spirits of the waters, who, as in Wensleydale, generally 
appeared as a horse. 

Kelpies of Scotland sat by the lake sides and lured women and children 
to their subaqueous haunts, there to be immediately devoured, or swelled the 
water beyond its usual limits, to overwhelm the hapless traveller. The 
later name for the goblin of the Tees is ^eg^otoler, who is useful in keeping 



16 VICTIMS OF 

children from going too near the river.* Some of my readers will doubtless 
have a faint recollection of being awfully alarmed in their youthful days, 
least when thev chanced to be alone on the margin of the stream, " Pes 
Powler, with her green hair/' should issue forth and snatch them into her 
watery chambers. The parental threat, " Peg-Powler will get you," is- 
synonymous with " the Boggly-bo will get you," which I well remember 
being frightened with by servants. The Bogle, however, like the Shelly-coat 
of the Scottish waters, and the brags and barguests of Durham is, I think, 
more plaguing than fatal. But who was BO, whose name is so terrific to 
children, and a test of manhood when addressed to a goose ? Warton gives 
him a Scandinavian origin, and describes him as a mighty cleaver of skulls ; 
while Chalmers has provided him with a Welsh pedigree.-f- Great must have 
been his fame. The name of Marlborough, who has been dead little more 
than a century, is no longer terrific to the children of France ; Richard of 
the Lion's heart has ceased to be a bugbear to the sons of the crescent ; but 
BO, tremendous BO, still rules with iron sway the scions of the oaken- 
souled sea-kings of the nursing soil whence those transitory heroes sprung. 

The legend of Peg-Powler bears much resemblance to the Irish superstition 
" embalmed in the affecting wail of the mother for her son, seduced by the 
daughters of the waters to drown in their coral caves/' and to the ideas 
attached to the Chippeway lake Minsisagaigoming, or "the dwelling place of 
the mysterious spirit," who, as a beautiful lady or an old woman, took away 
to the spirit-land those whom he loved. A benevolent spirit resided in Bob- 
hole, a natural cavern in Runswick Bay, Yorkshire, formed like the fairy 
corns at Hartlepool, and the recesses near Sunderland, by the constant action, 
of the tide. Hob was supposed to cure the hooping-cough ; and an impious 
and idolatrous charm, till late years, was considered efficacious. The patient 
was carried into the cave, and the parent, with a loud voice, invoked its deity, 

$?ob4)oIc &o& ! 

$fto batrn's gcttcn 't funfe-rougf), 

CaVt off, tak't off.* 

1730. June 22.— William, son of William Groves, of Darlington (drown'd by acci- 
dent), bur. 

1730. June 25. — Elizabeth Lee, of West Auckland, a young woman (drowned), bur. 

1734. December 15. — Anna, wife of Leonard Lakenby, of Darlington, unfortunately 
drowned. 

1735. December 25. — Phillis, wife of Wm. Herd, of Darlington, accidentally drowned, 
1737 — 8. March 23. — John Nateby, of Blackwell, farmer, unfortunately drowned in 

* Her Pegship does not, however, confine herself to the running waters. Neighbouring 
ponds are also honoured by her presence. 

t Rambles in Northumberland. The author assumes that Sir Walter Scott's barguest of 
Durham and Newcastle is a mistake for feoguest. I know nothing about these two particular 
instances, but all the spirits of a similar name which have occurred to me in Yorkshire 
were certainly called ftarguests; and the likeness to the words brag, and the German barg- 
geist, satisfies me that this pronunciation is correct. 

% Ord's Cleveland, 303. 



THE WATERS. 17 

the Tees, upon the 30th of January last, and not taken up till 21st of this instant, 
buried. 

1746. April 8. — John Thompson, of Darlington, flax dresser, who had drowned him- 
self, buried. 

1751. August 5. — Ann Jackson, a servant-maid, who was drowned at Blackwell, 
buried. 

1762. November 9. — William Leighton, of the parish of Shotley, in Northumberland, 
stonemason, who was drowned in the river Teese, about Winston, and carried by the 
force of the stream down to Blackwell. and there thrown out, buried. 

1773. August 27. — James Teasdale, a labouring man, from Durham, and who was 
unfortunately drown'd in the river Tees, buried. 

1794. March 9. — Jane Patterson, of Bedale, who was drowned in the river Tees, nigh 
Blackwell, buried. 

1796. February 17. — Lewis Hammond, cabinet-maker, an itinerant, drowned in the 
mill-dam, buried. 

1798. Joanna Husband, of Darlington, spinster, daughter of Edward Husband, 
glover. — March 14th, This poor woman was missed. Buried April 10, aged forty-two. 
Drowned in the mill-dam. 

1804. Martin Brown of Darlington, batchelor, aged 22 years, drowned in the Skerne, 
December 25, buried 27. 

1818. February. — An infant drowned in the Skern, found near Skem-House, about 
the age of one month, buried. 

This is the first of a series of records of similar outrages on humanity. 
Three children were found in one week in the sullen mill-dam. 

1825. May 2. — John Newton, Barton, found drowned at Blackwell, aged 47, buried. 
1832. Nov. 5. — George Stout (drowned at Neesham Ford), Darlington, aged 42, buried. 

In the churchyard is the following inscription : " Sacred to the memory of 
John Morton, of Liverpool, who was unfortunately drowned whilst bathing 
in the Tees, the 10th of July, 1838, aged 27 years." 

January 5, 1840. Sunday afternoon. As Mr. John Chisman of Black- 
well mill, and Mr. Rutter were walking on the shore of the river Skerne, 
about three hundred yards from the mill, on the way to Darlington, they 
observed something in the water like a flannel petticoat ; a fork was procured 
and a substance raised which proved to be the body of a female. It was 
carefully removed, with further assistance, to a granary at the mill, where 
an inquest was held before William Trotter, Esq., coroner for Darlington 
Ward, on the following day and, by adjournment, on the day succeed- 
ing. The evidence went to show that the deceased was a young woman 
named Susan Dagley, a native of Coventry, who had worked at Messrs. 
Pease s mill for about nine months, and was missed from her lodging at 
Priestgate, in Darlington, about five weeks previous, since which period every 
effort for her discovery had been unsuccessful. Thomas Brownrigg, a fellow 
lodger, had been taken into custody on the suspicion arising from the circum- 
stance that, on the night of Friday, the 29th of November, about half-past 
seven in the evening, she threw her tea-tin on the table of her lodgings and 
Went out without speaking a word to any one. Brownrigg, who lodged in 

D 



18 VICTIMS OF 

the same house, went out ahout seven and returned at half-past nine o'clock 
the same evening when he said to another lodger, named Woodhams, 
" Woodhams, have you seen anything of Susan ¥' And before he had time 
to reply he asked the same question of the old woman, Jane Scott, who kept 
the lodging-house. On the Sunday, Brownrigg told Woodhams he had 
been seeking all over for her ; and a female named Margery Newton deposed 
that about seven that morning she saw Brownrigg coming up from the water 
in a stooping position. Mr. Arthur Strother had examined the body and 
found the arms and hips to be very much bruised, the lungs healthy, the brain 
much gorged with blood, no appearance of pregnancy, and considered that the 
murder must have been committed, before the body was thrown into the 
water. The deposition of Brownrigg went to account for the use he made of 
his time on the night in question, the particulars of which coincided with the 
statements which two or three other witnesses made as to the times when they 
saw him. Verdict of " Wilful murder against some person or persons 
unknown/'* 

1844. August 2. A boy, of Black well, named Fen wick, about 11 years 
old, while crossing the Tees, was carried away by a flood, which came down 
suddenly in consequence of the late rains. It is singular that in the same 
month in 1845, an inquest was held on the body of his brother Joseph, aged 
10, who had been an inmate of the Victoria Asylum, Newcastle, and was, at 
the time of his death, on a visit to his friends. Although blind, he could go 
about and had strayed on the high road at the time the Richmond omnibus 
and Cook's circus carriages were passing each other. He was knocked down 
by the omnibus horses, and run over before it could be stopped, it being on 
the declivity of the hill leading down to Blackwell bridge. 

Whit-Tuesday, 1846. A youth 13 years old, son of Mr. Wm. Nicholson, 
comber, of this town, while bathing a little above Tees Cottage, got out of his 
depth and was drowned, though the most strenuous efforts were made by his 
fellows to save him, (one of whom nearly experienced the same fate). " The 
river Tees is exceedingly unsafe for inexperienced people to bathe in : the 
bottom, being chiefly of a sandy nature, is by the frequent floods continually 
shifting, and it is not an unfrequent thing for a person unacquainted with 
the water to slip from a place not knee-deep into a hole eight or ten feet in 
depth."f 

1846. November 26. Great excitement pervaded the town this day on 
the intelligence being received that the conductor of the mail cart from the 
York and Newcastle Railway Station was drowned in the Skerne, and the 
bags lost. The poor man whose name was Henry Nesbit, but who was 
better known by the cognomen of Harry Boots, set off from the station as 
usual, with the night mail bags, but not arriving at the King's Head Inn, 
inquiries were made, and one of the omnibus drivers said he had seen some- 

* Richardson's Local Historian's Table Book. f Durham Advertiser. 



THE WATERS. 19 

thing like a cart upside down in the Mill-pot. The cart and horse were 
Found, but poor Harry was not discovered till the morning of the 27th, the 
body having been moving about in the Mill-pot the whole of the previous 
day, as the place where it was found had been dragged previously without 
success. The river was considerably swollen, and it would appear that the 
deceased must have attempted the narrow and dangerous passage called the 
Mill Bank ; w T here there is no railing, and slipped off the bounding wall into 
the water. The mail-bags were found in a tolerable condition by Mr. Gent, 
of Polam, a considerable distance from the stream. " Harry Boots" was 
buried with much respect, and is commemorated by a tombstone in the 
churchyard. 

Many of the melancholy accidents I have mentioned were doubtless in 
the time of 

FLOODS, 

which rapidly rush down the Tees and Skerne. In February, 1753, the 
former rose in some parts fifteen feet above high water mark, washing the 
turnpike house at Croft down, whereby £50 of the road money was lost in 
the water. In a letter* dated from Bedmarshall, in March, Mr. Johnson 
writes to Dr. Birch, that "it drowned almost entirely all the village of 
Neesham, having destroyed every house except one, to which all the people 
resorted, and by good luck saved their lives, though with the loss of all their 
cattle, and stacks of hay and corn." " The great flood," however, was par 
eminence, that of November, 1771, which caused most disastrous conse- 
quences on the Tyne, Wear, and Tees.-f The water passed through Gain- 
ford, and carried away about seven yards of the churchyard, with the coffins 
and corpses ; some of them stopped at Mr. Hill s ground at BJackwell. The 
Castle-hill at BlackwellJ was washed away. The water was above six feet 
high in William Allison's house at Oxenhall Field ; it spoiled the corn 
stacks, drowned two of his fat oxen, a mare and a foal, and [another ?] with 
foal, of the Traveller's breed, with a four years' old one of the same sort, very 
valuable ; a draught horse, and a ram that cost him ten guineas, and spoiled all 
the household property below stairs ; 'twas as high as the centre of his clock 
pointer. He saved his stallion, which was in a stable built on purpose for 
him, that stood on the highest ground, though he was up to the rump in 
water. The family at Slip Inn abandoned the house, and escaped with 
much difficulty to William Jolly's ; had they stayed three minutes longer 
they had been drowned. At Croft, the flood was in the church, and the 

* Bibliotheca Topograpliica Britan. 

+ See Richardson's Local Historian's Table Book, sub 1771, — Brewster's Stockton, and a 
small reprint of the accounts of the terrible inundations of 1771 and 1815, published by 
Charnley, of Newcastle, in 1818, from which the following remarks are taken. 

% This expression must be taken cum grano salis. The flood, doubtless, was very destruc- 
tive to this venerable remain, but its utter desolation has been in very gradual progress, 
and a remnant still remains.— AV. H, L, 



20 FLOODS. 

gates carried away. There a man and a wife forced to the house top, clung 
by the rigging tree a long time, but at last the old woman, being no longer 
able to bear herself up, took leave of her husband and dropped, but he out of 
lasting affection, replied, " no, my dear, as we have lived forty years happily 
together, so let us die in peace and love," and instantly leaving his hold, 
resigned himself to the Will of Providence. It happened, however, that the 
upper floor of the house was left standing, and they were happily saved 
thereon, the Water having subsided. 

In this flood, the Tees rose twenty feet higher than the oldest man living 
could remember, and as the quantity of water in it and the Tyne and Wear, 
appeared so much more than the apparent quantity of rain which had fallen, 
incessantly, but not heavily, on two previous days, many conjectured that a 
water-spout must have broken near the sources, which are very near to each 
other. At Barnard-castle the water ejected a dyer from his cellars, just as a 
few tammies in the kettle were receiving their last process. After the torrent 
had subsided, he visited his kettle in great anxiety, when, removing the sand 
and mud at the top, his goods were found to have attained a colour beyond 
his most sanguine expectations. They were sent to London, and gave such 
satisfaction, that orders were forwarded for a further supply of the same 
shade, but the dyer, not being again assisted by the genius of the river, failed 
in every attempt to produce it. 

Great damage was also done at Darlington and along the banks of the 
Tees, by the floods of December, 1815. On February 2, 1822, a most tem- 
pestuous wind, with heavy rain, was the precursor of more heavy floods in 
the north. The Tees began to rise at nine o'clock on Saturday evening, and 
the road from Croft Bridge to Darlington was impassable. On Sunday 
morning the water was seven feet deep in the main street of Stockton, and 
the mail passed through Hurworth. The water stood fifteen feet on Croft 
Bridge. Another severe flood happened in July, 1828, and in October, 
1829, the Tees rose to a height not exceeded within the memory of the oldest 
inhabitant of Barnard-castle, sweeping away the new bridge, then building at 
Whorlton, to the ruin of the unfortunate builders. The Tees was also very 
high in August, 1832* 

This river is frequently frozen, notwithstanding the tides and rapid current. 
In 1 780 it was frozen eight weeks, and in 1 784, when the ice was eight and 
a half inches in thickness, a sheep was roasted upon the river at Portrack. 

One of the most remarkable 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TEES, 

is its fancy for winding in eccentric curves. From this circumstance, 
indeed, it derives its name, the Celtic Taoi, signifying winding, We have 

* Sykes's Local Records, edit. 1833. 



THE TEES. 21 

more rivers than one of this name in Her Majesty's dominions, and the 
Thiess, a large river, flows into the Danube. In " the winding Tay," we 
have the word in nearly its original form, and a pleonasm strikingly expres- 
sive of the propriety of its appropriation. Dyer fell into the same venial error 
when he talks about " the shady dales of winding Towy, Merlin's fabled 
haunt," Towy being only a modification of Tay. Every one recollects the 
Tajo (pronounced Tayo) flowing past Lisbon ; there is a Tava flowing into 
the Danube, and another river of the same name in Moravia ; nay, there is 
even a Tay in China ! 

The following popular sayings connected with the Tees may amuse: 

An otter in the Wear, 

You may find but once a year ; 

An otter in the Tees, 

You may find at your ease. 

The Tyne, the Tees, the Till, the Tarset and the Tweed, 
The Alne, the Blyth, the Font, the Tarret and the Read. 

The Tees, the Tyne, and Tweed, the Tarret and the Till, 
The Team, the Font, and Pont, the Tippal and the Dill * 

Escaped the Tees and was drowned in the Tyne. 

So the Welsh say " To escape Cluyd and be drowned in Conway," in general 

proverbial speech, " out of the frying-pan into the fire," and " out of God s 

blessing into the warm sun." Here are two more locals of the same 

meaning. 

Out o'Bisho'brigt into Yorkshire. 

" Tutef again" — made the lad leave Yorkshire, 

And when he gat into Bisho'brigg he was niwer dune.§ 

The Tees has, however, been celebrated in more polished numbers. It is 
introduced by "the gentle Spenser" into his "Marriage of the Thames and 
Medway," thus : 

Then came the bride, the loving Medway came, 
Her gentle lockes adowne her back did flowe 
Unto her waste, with flowers bescattered, 
The which ambrosial odours forthe did throwe 
To all about, and all her shoulders spred 
As a new-spring ; and likewise on her head 
A chapelet of sundrie flowres she wore : 
On her two pretty handmaids did attend, 
One cal'd the Theise, the other cal'd the Crane ; 
Which on her waited, things amisse to mend, 
And both behinde upheld her spredding traine. 

* The principal Northumbrian rivers. + Bishopric-^par eminence— of Durham. 

t Do it. 

§ This and the proceeding ancient saws are from my friend Mr M. Aislabie Denham, of 
Piercebridge's extensive collection of popular sayings of the five Northern counties. May 
they successfully increase and at length see the light of the world! 



22 THE TEES. 

Mason exclaims, 



Rejoice! as if the thundering Tees himself 
Reigned there amid his cataracts sublime. 

However, near Darlington, the poet's idea is not realized. This noble 
stream "that beareth and feedeth an excellent salmon" has passed the 
terrible grandeur of its falls ; flown by the castle of the Baliols, which 
" standeth stately" on its crags ; and reached the vale where sloping banks 
and shady groves hang over it with rapture, and where, rolling amidst 
laughing meads in all the majesty of pride, it was first cheered by early 
civilization, as shown by the minute distribution of parishes, and gave name 
to the gallant race, who, first taking the salmon as their ensign, showed their 
deep reverence for the waters of their home "super Teysam." How 
Father Tees meanders ! by the rich woods of Baydale ; by Castle Hill and 
the sweep of Blackwell Holme ; through 'the time-worn arcade of Croft ; 
jutting round Rock Cliff ; kindly saluting Hurworth and Neasham ; hurry- 
ing south to embrace the soft lawns of Sockburn ; and then dashing back 
again, entranced by the luxuriant walks of Dinsdale ; really one might 
almost suppose he was seeking some fair streamlet to woo and win, remem- 
bering his sweet union with the Greta : 

Where issuing from her darksome bed, 
She caught the morning's eastern red, 
And through the softening vale below 
Rolled her bright waves, in rosy flow, 
All blushing to her bridal bed 
Like some fair maid in convent bred. 

" After Derlington," says Camden,* the Tees has no towns of more~note on 
its banks, but washes the edges of green fields and country villages with its 
winding stream, and at length throws itself at a wide mouth into the sea." 
Yarm is, however, described as bigger and better built than Darlington by 
him,-f- to which character we need only apply De Foe's remark on it ; " it 
has seen much better days" as it now merely contains 1500 inhabitants, while 
Darlington has nearly 11,000. 

The Tees abounds with fishes of the salmon kind, consisting in popular 
diction, of sparling, brandling, trout, salmon-trout or scurves, summer-cock, 
and salmon. The convent of Durham occasionally procured their fresh water 
fish from the Tees. 



1508. To Edward Smyth for sparling and place apud Teass ; 

1539-40. For 300 sparlinge from Teys against Christmas, \2d.% 

The fishery of salmon is now, of course, confined to certain periods. The 
* Gough's edit. t Britannia, ii, 943. % Bursar's books. 



THE SKERNE. 23 

fence days fixed by the North Riding and Durham Sessions, in 1848, are 
Sept. 17, and Feb. 14, the fish being taken in summer. Near Dinsdale are 
the celebrated Fish-locks, for intercepting them in their migrations. This 
opposition to the natural disposition of the salmon, to go some thirty miles 
further up the river in spawning season, is exceedingly destructive to the 
race, and projects have been set on foot to procure its abolition, but they have 
always failed. 

Among the various other fish inhabiting the brave river called Teeze* 
some belonged to the Bishop, by virtue of his regal privileges. 

That the Bpp has the royaltyes of the river of Tease, as Whales, Sturgeon, Purposes, 
or the like, taken on that side the river next the county of Durham, within the manor of 
Stockton, and all wracks of the sea, hut know not what they are worth : — not 5^. per 
ann. — Survey of Stockton Manor, taken when the Parliament sold the possessions of 



At this day " not one shilling" possibly would be a more correct return. 
Whales we have none, the porpoises uselessly gambol near the sandbanks at 
the river's mouth, and a sturgeon is a rarity. A remarkably large one, 
caught below Yarm, was exhibited alive at Darlington, in 1848 ; it mea- 
sured 7 ft. 5 in. in length, and weighed about 8J st. In former days this 
" Royal Fish" would very probably have grieved the pious soul of good old 
Cosin. The charges of catching; and curing five sturgeon at his manor of 
Howden, in 1662, what with dill and rosemary, eleven gallons of white wine 
at 2s. 8d. the gallon, 16^ gallons of vinegar at Is. 8d. the gallon, and one 
thing and another, came to 51. 17s. Id, which the Bishop reasonably thought 
rather a costly matter, as the fish were chiefly given away to my Lord 
Clarendon, my Lady Gerard, &c So he desired his Howden steward to 
catch no more sturgeons, and sharply adds " you need not have item'd me 
for your dill and rosemary." For the first assizes after this prelate's con- 
secration, held at Durham, Aug. 12, 166T, when all men's hearts were full 
of joy at the restoration, we have the following charges : 

For afatt oxe, bought of Win. Man, of Peircebridge, III. 6s. Od. 

To the carrier, for bringing a case of sturgeon fro' Darenton, 4s. lOd. 

Truly might Mr. Arden exclaim, " We are prepared to receive the Judges 
nobly" and doubtless Mr. Neile was equally true in asserting, " We eat and 
drink abominably." 

* Brewster's Stockton, edit. 1796, p. 22. 



24 THE SKERNE. 



THE SKERNE 

Is almost as amusing as the Tees in its twistings, as the low grounds 
adjoining the foot road from Darlington to Haughton, and near Blackwell 
Mill (where the ancient course conducts the waste water), may well testify, 
but in all other respects it widely differs, being a small, still, sluggish stream, 
flowing through cars and marshes. From the Well-springs to the north of 
Trimdon, rises Hur worth-Burn, which runs east for nearly two miles, then 
turns south, crosses the Hartlepool road, and at the distance of half a mile to 
the south-west, sinks entirely, and disappears in a swallow-hole in the lime- 
stone rock. Near this spot the South Skerne rises and meets the North 
Skerne near Nunstainton. The latter has its source in the marsh which 
separates Thrislington from Ferry-hill wood, and is soon augmented by 
powerful feeders from the limestone rock skirting the morass. At Ferry-hill 
the Convent of Durham had a swanpool, but the silver swans have long 
ceased to oar their way across their loch, and the swannery is now occupied by 
railroads and station-houses.* A flat of marshy land, peat bottoming on 
clay, extends along the whole upper course of the Skerne, and has been 
much fertilized by draining, retaining its verdure in the most parching 
drought. At Mainsforth the peat lies uniformly about eleven feet deep, 
below that is blue clay of great depth ; nearer the edge of the level the peat bor- 
ders on limestone, through which constant springs, which never vary in winter 
or summer, burst with great force. The roots of the trees which have been 
planted on these grounds have run almost entirely along the surface, never 
venturing to plunge a fibre into the wet peat. The roots of the willow in 
particular (of large growth), are one complete mass of fibres closely inter- 
woven, and as regularly spread on the surface of the peat as if levelled by a 
carpenter's plane. The Scotch fir has reached fifty feet in height, with a 
girth of six or seven feet, the root meanwhile, not striking two feet below 
the turf. 

This little water of Skerne contains twelve species of fish: 1, roach; 2, 
dace ; 3, chub ; 4, gudgeon ; 5, minnow ; 6, miller's thumb ; 7, stickleback ; 
8, trout, rare; 9, pike; 10, barbut or eelpout ; 11, eel; 12, lamprey 
(petromyzon branchialis). 

Of these the barbut, gadius lota, is not of very common occurrence ; it is 
an inhabitant of still lazy streams like the Skerne, where it frequents the 
deepest pools or hollows under bridges ; it is seldom caught by an angle, nor 
is more than one usually found in any one pool. It is not uncommon in 
the Wiske, near Northallerton. The whole skin seems like shagreen, or 
marked with the impression of small pin-heads. A barbut taken in the 
Skerne, near Hardwick-mill, June 21, 1811, measured sixteen inches, and 

* Raine, in the Glossary to the Durham Household Book. Surtees Society. 



THE SKERNE. 25 

weighed 1 4£ ounces The stomach contained a minnow and some weed. The 
Saxon fisherman in Elfric's Dialogues, names among his fishes eels and 
eelpouts. The latter name seems now to be confined to the north. Both 
Plott and Morton mention this fish as of very rare occurrence, the latter 
saying that in Northamptonshire it is found only in the Nen. Plott states 
that only four had been taken in Staffordshire, in his memory, and gives a 
good description of the fish from a specimen twenty inches long, taken in 
Faseley Dam, in the Tame, Aug. 1654, and presented to Colonel Comberford, 
of Comberford,* " who caused it to be drawn to the life and placed in his 
hall/' These general remarks are culled from Surtees, who feared the 
Nymphcea Alba, the beautiful white water lily, was extirpated, he certainly 
remembered seeing it in the Skerne, near Mordon, and mentions it as being 
preserved in ponds at Mainsforth. The yellow still exists. 

The Isle, a gloomy residence of the LTsles and Tempests, is completely 
insulated by the Skerne and small streams, and is always liable to be inun- 
dated. The capabilities of the Skerne, for such amusement, have been tested 
in a costly manner by the Railway Company, who, from their piling bills, 
must have become well satisfied with the truth of the old adage, 

When Roseberry Topping wears a hat, 
Morden-Carrs will suffer for that.t 

The Scotch have a similar saw anent a stream, with a similar name. 

When Cairnsmuir puts on his hat 
Palmuir and Skyreburn laugh at that. 

The Skerne, in records, is frequently the Skyren. The following odd com- 
pound of Law-Latin and English, is too curious to be omitted. 

Carta Ricardi Prioris, de manerio de Woodham, concesso Thome de Whitworth per 
divisas. 

Omnibus, &c, Ricardus, Prior Dunelm- et ejusd. loci conventus. Noveritis nos 
dedisse, &c. dilecto et fideli nostro Thome de Whitworth, pro homagio et fideli servicio 
suo, manerium de Wodum, cum omnibus suis pertin. per metas et divisas subscriptas, 
viz. " a fforth versus Aclemore quod (fount a Windleston usque Derlj/tigton, per petras ex 
parte orientali vie, ascendendo usque Dissyngtrelawe, et fa dicto Lawe usque parvum 
Tcerre per unam petram jacentem juxta dictum kerre, et sic tunc ultra viam ex parte 

* A truly honourable race, who I find stuck close to their hall of Comberford, from the 
days of Stephen, till their extinction in the male line in 1 671 , and who little need the mar- 
vellous proof of their antiquity, in possessing a sort of banshee, in the shape or rather 
sound of three knocks heard in the hall before the decease of any of the family, though the 
party might be at never so great a distance. One branch was represented by the Ensors of 
Wilnecote, par. Tamworth, the ancestors of Sarah Ensor, " whose grandmother was a 
Shakspear, descended from a brother of everybody's Shakspear" according to the assertion 
of her husband, John Dyer, the gentle author of Grongar Hill. 

f Benham's MSS. 

E 



: 



26 THE SKERNE. 

occidentali usque Wyndlilston Stotfald, per petras ex parte orientalidi cti Stotfald et a 
dicto Stotfald usque Holmeslawe et a dicto Lawe usque magnam petram, et a dicta 
petra usque blakdobb juxta unam semitam que ducit a Wyndleston usque Wodom. Et 
a dicta semita usque ad antiquam fossam per unam petram et unam sike quod extendit 
usque rivulum versus Chilton more ex parte occidentali le Reshefforthe, et sic per dictum 
rivulum descendendo usque Staynton-Milne per unum sike usque Skerne. et sic per 
aquam de Skj/ren usque Wodomburn-mouthe, et sic per Wodomburn equaliter ascendendo 
usque predictumfforthe, quod ducit a Wyndilston usque Dertyngton r^ro,habendum 3 &c. 

The monks had also a fish-pool at Ferry Hill, and as late as 1631, a lease 
of Cleves Cross farm mentions the Eel-ark, a device it is presumed to take 
eels, still so abundant. In 1364-5, the Bursar paid " the expenses of a 
chaplain for two days at Ketton, about the fishing against the feast of S. 
Cuthbert, in March, 4s. 3d." The fishery was probably for eels in this 
instance. The Skerne was also famous for its pikes.* 

Small as this rivulet is, it is extremely important in a commercial point of 
view. Its water is so famous for bleaching linen, that great quantities have 
been sent hither for that purpose from Scotland, -f besides the vast manufac- 
tured stock at Darlington. In 1810, in the course of thirteen miles adjacent, 
the Skerne turned twelve mills ; seven for corn, two for spinning linen yarn, 
one for woollen, one fulling mill, and one for grinding optical glasses. The 
sike running past Favordale joins it at Coatham Mundeville. 

There is a remarkable pentagonal field to the N.E. of Newton Ketton, in 
which four considerable rivulets arise, and during a great part of the year 
water may be seen running in four different directions, occasionally in great 
quantities. The first runs from its S.E. corner to Byersgill, Stainton, 
Bishopton, Thorp and Blakeston, and passing between Norton and Billing- 
ham, flows into the Tees near Portrack. The second springs from the south 
fence only a few yards from the first, and falls into the Skerne, below Ketton 
County Bridge. The third proceeds from the S.W. corner, and penetrating 
the gloomy gill of Lovesome Hill, augments the Skerne near the factory of 
Coatham Mundeville. The fourth rises in the N.W. corner, and gliding 
past Preston Lodge, through the Earl of Eldon's estates, mixes with the 
waters of Morden Carrs, before Eicnall Grange, after passing beneath the 
Clarence and York and Newcastle Railways. Pity that sucli a singular 
close does not exist in the east, there it would have established the fame of 
some geographical speculator, and fixed the site of Eden at once. 

* Gough's Camden. f Luckombe's Gazeteer, 1790. 



THE COCKERBECK. 27 



THE COCKERBECK OR COCKE-BECK. 

Flows from Walworth and joins the Skerne in Northgate. Many rivers 
bear similar names. Thus we have in Cumberland, 

The Cocker and the Calder, 
The Dutton and the Derwent, 
The Eden and the Ellen, 
The Eamont and the Esk, 
The Greta and the Gelt, 
The Leven and the Liddal, 
The Irving and the Irt, 
The Mite and Peteril, 
The Waver and Wampool * 

Camden takes the etymology of cockney from the Thames, which he says 
was of old time called Cockney. A wicked writer in the Literary Gazette,-)" 
says, " There was formerly a little brook by Turnmill-street, called Cockney. 
Perhaps the ducking bath of the noisy Cyprians on the cucking-stool ? May 
not cockney and also cucking-stool be from the term coquean ? If so, certainly 
a most unenviable derivation/' In our case, I sincerely hope the cucking- 
stool {alias ducking-stool) in the town was amply sufficient for all our 
" scolding queans" without any Cuck-her-becks being called into requisition. 
All joke aside, we may presume a cocke-boat is from the same source, what- 
ever it may be, as Cocke-beck. 

As before stated, Badle-beck in time of floods carries off the waste water 
of the Cocker-beck. It has its own resources in other seasons, in the shape 
of various gutters intersecting the low lands near, and which, with the main 
channel, form a pool at the roadside, near Moudon Bridge, which may 
perhaps, properly be called the head of Badle-beck. In the hot days of 
summer, however, in spite of all its gutters, pools, springs, and drains, it is 
almost if not completely dry. At the bridge near Badle-beck Inn, it forms a 
very pretty little gill. 



THE HELL-KETTLES. 

Then I do bid adieu 

To Bernard's battelled towers, and seriously pursue 
My course to Neptune's Court; but as forthwith I runne, 
The Skern, a dainty nymph, saluting Darlington, 
Comes in to give me ayd, and being prowd and ranke, 
Shee chanc'd to looke aside, and spieth neere her banke, 

* Denham's MSS. + 1846, p. 426. 



28 HELL-KETTLES. 

(That from their lothsome brimms do breath a sulpherous sweat) 
Hell-Kettles rightly cald, that with the very sight, 
This water-nymph, my Skerne, is put in such affright, 
That with unusuall speed she on her course doth hast, 
And rashly runnes herselfe into my widened waste. 

Drayton's Polyolbion, 29th song, Tees loquitur. 

An article in the Newcastle Magazine, for 1826, fancifully endeavoured to 
discover Homer's Hell in New Zealand ! but our Hells at home are quite as 
perplexing as those of Grecian bards. Spiritually, Hell is the place of the 
doomed ; temporally, it is the same, but in the one case it is the receptacle of 
those who steal, in the other, the stronghold of the stolen. Don't you recol- 
lect, good reader, the man who 

had, as well 

As the bold Trojan knight, seen Hell: 

Not with a counterfeited pass 

Of golden bough, but true gold lace* 

And the note explaining that tailors call that place hell where they put all 
they steal ? Again, Hell spiritual is sometimes Paradise ; so, in a minor 
way, is Hell temporal : 

BARLEY-BREAK, OR LAST IN HELL. 

We two are last in Hell : what may we fear 
To be tormented, or kept prisoners here : 
Alas ! if kissing be of plagues the worst, 
We'll wish, in Hell we had been last and first. 

A verse from Herrick's Hesperides, alluding to a pleasant forfeit in the old 
game of Barley-break, in which three couples played. One went to each 
end of the ground, and ran across, when the couple in the middle (or Hell) 
caught, if they could, one of the running couples and placed them in Hell 
instead. In names of places the word is equally various in its signification. 
It may mean a hill, or a hole, or water, and as a place may be seated on a 
hill by the side of water, or vice versa, and if by water, in nine cases out of 
ten, must be low also, in the same proportion it is almost impossible to state 
the origin of a name with Hell in its composition. The confusion is made 
still worse by the word being often corrupted into hill, as in Hylton (anciently 
Heltun) by the Wear; Hellegate afterwards Hylgate, now Water-row, in 
Morpeth, leading from the Wansbeck ; Hilton, near Staindrop, formerly 
Helton (on a hill) ; Hilton Beacon, in Westmoreland, formerly Helton 
Bacon (under a hill), &c. Again, lielle is still used as a verb, " to pour out 
in a rapid manner/' hence probably Helvellyn, a cascade on the Glaamaen, 

* Hudibras. 



HELL-KETTLES. 29 

in Norway, and Helvellyn, in Cumberland, down which a cataract rushes. 
Lastly, it means solitary, lonely, as in Hellebeck. 

I have referred to this latter word in p. 3. Thoresby, in his Diary for 1694, thus 
mentions it. " On the left nothing but a ghastly precipice to the Fell-foot, which, I 
think, may as well be called Hell-foot, as those riverets (which Camden mentions, p. 
727) Hell-becks, because creeping in waste, solitary, and unsightly places, amongst the 
mountains upon the borders of Lancashire." 

Hodgson, in his Northumberland, decidedly says that the name of our Hell- 
Kettles means water-kettles (being in Oxen-le-field, the Field of Waters), in 
illustration of which I throw together half a dozen names in the parish. 

North and South Helmer Arm, the names of two closes of 'the Wharton land 
between Darlington and Haughton, in 1771. Helmer, Elmer, or Aylmer, is a pleonastic 
expression, signifying the lake of waters. 

Elstantoftes, at Blackwell, see p. 8. 

ElesbanJces, at Darlington, mentioned in Hatfield's Survey, and probably on the 
Skerne. 

Ellyngmedowe, wherein the Punder, of Darlington, had half an acre at the same 
period. 

Le Elling, a copyhold close in Bondgate, to which Jane Sober, widow of William 
Sober, was adm. in 1621* 

Ellms, in Darneton, a copyhold parcel of land mentioned, 1642.t 

19 Feb. 42 Eliz. Wm. Helcoat held one ox-gang in Cockerton, late Edward Perkin- 
son's, by knight's service, leaving Michael his son and heir, who alienated to Marshall, 
Smith, and Lewlin. Pardon to John Marshall for 20 acr. of land, 20 of meadow, and 
20 of pasture, from Michael Helcoates, 9 Jac. 1611. John Smith, 10 acr. of meadow, 
from Helcoates, 26 July, 44 Eliz. Anthony Gilpyn had pardon for acquiring the same 
from John Smith, 20 Aug. 1628. 14 Feb. 42 Eliz. Richard Lewlin d. seized of lands 
purchased of Michael Helcotes, held by the 40th part of a knight's fee. Henry, his son 
and heir, aged 6 years. John Marshall d. seised of 20 acr. of meadow, as much of 
pasture and as much of arable, 1634, leaving Robert his s. and h. aet. 38. % Francis 
Helcott and Helenor Todd, married 1594-5, Jan. 26. Par. Reg. 

10 Skirlaw, John Tesedale died, seized of lands in the Westfield of Darlington, in a 
certain place called Hell, which in Bishop Langley's time, were the possession of the 
Eures (Inq. p. m. Rad. Eure, 17 Langley) and Hutchinson thinks it not unreasonable 
that the Hell-Kettles took their name from being situate in this land, but I scarcely 
think it can be identified with the territory of Oxen-le-field, which lies nearly due south 
of the town. The Punder held half an acre in the Westfield, at Hatfield's Survey. 

Another writer derives the name from the British hal, an alkali (whence 
halen, salt) and kiddle, or kidle, a dam : Hal-Kiddles, salt pits.§ But the 
most elaborate idea is that in Hutchinson. 

" Most of our lime works, marle-pits, and allum-pits are wrought much deeper than 
six yards ; water standing in hollows, from whence marie has been gotten, will taste 

* Halmot Court Bks. 
t Ibid.— I Geo. 1, Wm. Davison and Eliza ux. to George Allen, merchant. Elvis alias 
Ellings alias Le Ings. 

% Surtees. 



3() HELL-KETTLES. 

pungent on the tongue, and curdle milk and soap [as that of these pools does] : we 
know of no allum being wrought here, though it abounds in Cleveland, not many miles 
distant, but the use of marie was very early, and it is probable these were marle-pits : 
they resemble the workings in other counties, where marling is still practised. Marie 
was known to the Romans, and by them exported hence to foreign countries ; we have 
statues mentioned by our antiquaries, dedicated to Nehallennia or the new moon, particu- 
larly some inscribed by Negociator Cretarius Britannicianus, a dealer in marie, chalk, or 
fuller's earth, to the British territories ; and these being called Nehallennia' s Kettles, or 
of Nie-Hel, in the old German tongue, from the trader's dedication, might be corrupted 
to, or called Hell's Kettles, and the monastic writers, to efface the memory of the old 
superstition, might devise the miraculous account." 

And yet, after all these solemn devices for a name, I verily believe that the 
earthquake origin, is, in the main, true, though it may be handed to us in an 
exaggerated form, and that the name has merely a reference to the infernal 
character of the production and water of these marvellous kettles. Such 
was the popular idea of it in Harrison's time, as appears from the following 
singular passage : 

" What the foolish people dreame of the Hell-Kettles, it is not worthy the rehersall, 
yet to the ende the lewde opinion conceyved of them maye growe into contempt, I 
will say thus much also of those pits. Ther are certeine pittes or rather three litle 
poles, a myle from Darlington, and a quarter of a myle distant from the These bankes, 
which the people call the Kettes of Hell, or the Devil's Ketteles, as if he shoulde seethe 
soules of sinfull men and women in them : they adde also that the spirites have oft beene 
harde to crye and yell about them, wyth other like talke, savouring altogether of pagane 
infidelitye. The truth is, (and of this opinion also was Cuthbert Tunstall, Byshop of 
Durham) that the colemines in those places are kindled, or if there be no coles, 
there may a mine of some other unctuous matter be set on fire, which beyng 
here and there consumed, the earth falleth in, and so doth leave a pitte. In deede 
the water is nowe and then warme as they saye, and beside that it is not cleere, the 
people suppose them to be an hundred faddame deepe, the byggest of them also hath 
an issue into the These. But ynough of these woonders least I doe seeme to be 
touched in thys description, and thus much of the Hel-Kettles." — Harrison in Hollin- 
shed, 1577, i. 94. 

Oertes, the idea of the spirits being boiled is most horrible ! 

The kettles next morning were boiling and foaming, 

A groan in their deeps was full ghastily booming, 

A sulphureous stench was ymixt in the air, 

And the carles they were cowed and said many a prayer. 

But the days when the peasants could boil their pottage in the Hell-Kettles 
have long fleeted, and travellers by rail may not say like those by road of 
1634,* " The three admired deepe pitts, called Hell Kettles, we left boyling 
by Darlington/'* 

* A Relation of a short Survey, begun at the city of Norwich, on Monday, August 11th, 
1634, and ending at the same place. By a captain, a lieutenant, and an ancient ; all three 
of the Military Company in Norwich. 



HELL-KETTLES. 31 

Neither do authors write thus : 

In the country hereabouts (in hujus agro, in a field belonging to this place, G.) are 
three pits of a surprising depth, commonly called Hell-Kettles, from the water heated 
in them by the compression (Antiperistasis, Reverberation, G.) of the air[!]* 

And notwithstanding Daniel De Foe says so decisively " As to the Hell- 
Kettles, so much talked up for a wonder, which are to be seen as we ride 
from the Tees to Darlington, I had already seen so little of wonder in such 
country tales, that I was not hastily deluded again. 'Tis evident they are 
nothing but coal pits filled with water by the River Tees/' — we do not find 
that coal or other-f* mineral has been dug thereabouts, and certainly pits of 
114 and 75 feet diameter bear no very great resemblance to coal pits 
drowned. Besides the depth, notwithstanding the superstitions and the 
proverb 

occasionally applied to convey the idea of an unfathomable mystery, is very 
moderate. Dr. Jabez Kay wrote to Bishop Gibson : — " The name of bottom- 
less pits made me provide myself with a line above 200 fathoms long, and a 
lead weight proportionable. But much smaller preparations would have 
served. For the deepest of them took but fifteen fathom or thirty yards of 
our line." According to the measurement of Mr. Grose and Mr. Allan, 
however, October 18, 1774, the figures stand thus : 

Diameter of the three larger kettles about . . .38 yards. 
Ditto smallest about . . . .28 ditto. 

Depth of the four kettles respectively, 19j, 17, 14, and 51 feet. 

Another class of popular ideas includes a number of floating traditions ot 
passages from the kettles to the Skerne and Tees having been discovered. 
One legend connects itself with some eastern diver, or " man of colour" who 
dived and passed from one of the pools to the Skerne, but the story is more 
common of a goose or duck, which found its way into the Tees. In Leland's 
time there lived a prudent wary man, ycleped Anthony Bellasyse, a doctor 
in civil law, master in Chancery, and one of the council of the North, who 
was younger brother of Richard Bellasyse, Esq., and laid the foundations of 
the Newburgh House of Bellasyse, by obtaining a grant of the scite of the 
abbey there, which he settled on his nephew. Of this worthy, Leland notes§ 
in this wise, " Mr. Doctor Bellazis tolde me that a dukke, markid after the 

* Gough's Camden. An old translation of Camden has it thus :— " In this Townefield are 
three pitts of a wonderful depth, the common people tearme them Hell-Kettles, because 
the water in them by the Antiperistasis or reverberation of the cold air striking thereupon 
waxeth note." 

+ I have somewhere seen the Hell-Kettles supposed to be lime-pits. 
X Denham MSS. § Itin. vi. 24. 



32 HELL-KETTLES. 

fascion of dukkes of the Bishopricke of Duresme, was put into one of the 
pooles called Hel Ketelles, betwixt Darlington and Tese bank, and after was 
found at [Crofte] Bridge, upon Tese thereby, wher Gervalx* duelleth, and that 
be it the people had a certain conjecture, that there was specus subterr. 
betwixt the ij places/' Surtees-f- shrewdly remarks that nothing is more 
natural than that the duck should leave the sulphureous brackish pool in 
which she was placed, and walk across two or three green fields, to the Tees. 
Camden attributes this discovery to Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall, and calls the 
animal he had marked a goose. Gibson makes a sad mistake when he says 
that the tradition has ceased in the neighbourhood. 

The fact is, that any subterranean passage is impossible, and the legend 
ridiculous. The opening of such would be visible in a river, though it is not 
in the kettles, and the latter would rise in floods to the same level with the 
stream. But there they are, sable, solemn, still, sulphureous. Floods and 
droughts come and go with their effects on the Tees and Skerne, but the 
Hell-Kettles rest the same evermore. They are, in reality, fast flowing 
springs. Three of them are joined by a surface channel, and the water is 
carried away by a stell or streamlet which supplies the neighbouring farms 
with water, and runs into the Skerne, the fourth and smallest pool is detached 
and close to the road. The water is drunk by the cattle, and does not 
seem to be at all injurious to them, but the pike and eels frequenting the 
kettles, always eat soft and watery, as if out of season, being in truth, natural 
prisoners, where a freeborn fish would certainly fret awa^ all his fatness.f 
Surtees mentions the following plants as growing at Hell-Kettles, Hippuris 
Vulgaris, mare's tail ; Chara hispida; Utricularia Vulgaris, common hooded 
milfoil ; Schamus mariscus, prickly bog-rush ; Potamogeton pectinatum, fen- 
nel-leaved pondweed ; Lemna trisulca, ivy-leaved duckweed ; and carex 
stricta. The ponds are much choaked with vegetation. 

The chronicles of Henry IFs. reign§ are full of " uncouth wonders," and 
the year 1178 must have been a most marvellous one. 



* Cler'vaux of Croft. + Vol. i. 202. + Gordon's Guide to Croft, &c, 1834. 

§ I do not think the following has been added to any of our county histories, though it 
forms a capital gloss on the grant by this king to Bishop Flambard, of a market at Norton, 
on the Lord's Day, and is extremely curious in a literary point of view, to boot: — In 
Brompton's Chronicle, it is related that as Henry was passing through Wales, on his return 
from Ireland, in the Spring of 1172, he stopped at Cardiff Castle, on a Sunday, to hear massj 
after which, as he was mounting his horse to be off again, there was presented before him 
a somewhat singular apparition, a man with red hair and a round tonsure, a distinction 
which would seem to imply that there were still in Wales some priests of the olden church 
who held out against tlomish innovations, and retained the ancient national crescent- 
shaped tonsure. He was lean and tall, attired in a white tunic, and barefoot- This indi- 
vidual began in the Teutonic tongue, " Gode olde Kinge," and delivered a command from 
Christ, as he said, and his mother, from John the Baptist, and from Peter, that he should 
suffer no traffic or servile works to be done throughout his dominions on the Sabbath-day, 
except only such as pertained to the use of food ; which command, if he observed, what- 
ever he might undertake, he should easily accomplish. Although only the three first 
words are chronicled in what the writer calls Teutonic (i. e. Saxon or English) there can 



HELL-KETTLES. 33 

*• This yeare,'" says old Holliushed, "on the Sunday before the nativitie of S. John 
Baptist, being- the eighteenth of June, after the setting of the sunne, there appeared a 
marvellous sighte in the aire vnto certaine persons that beheld the same. For whereas 
the newe moone shone foorth veiy faire, with his horns towardes the east, straighte wayes 
the upper home was devided into two, out of the middes of whiche devision, a brenning 
brand sprang up, casting from it a farre off coales and sparkes, as it had bin of fire. 
The body of the moone in the meane time that was beneath, seemed to wrast and writh 
in resemblance like to an adder or snake that had bin beaten, and anone after it came 
to the olde state aga}Tie. This chanced above a dosen times, and at length from home 
to home it became halfe blacke* 

In September following, the moone beyng about seven and twentith dayes olde, at 
sixe of the clocke, the sunne was eclipsed, not universally, but particularly, for the 
body thereof appeared as it wer horned, shoting the homes towards the west, as the 
moone doth, being twentie dayes olde. The residue of the compasse of it, was covered 
with a blacke roundell, whiche comming downe by little and little, threw about the 
horned brightnesse that remained, til both the homes came to hang down on eyther 
side to the earth wards, and as the blacke roundell went by little and little forwardes, 
the homes at length were turned towards the west, and so the blacknes passing away, 
the sunne received hir brightnesse againe. In the meane time, the aire being ful of 
cloudes of divers coulours, as red, yellow, greene, and pale,holp the peoples sight with more 
ease to discerne the maner of it. (A strange eclips of the sunne, in the margin.) The 
K. thys yeare held his Christmas at Winchester, at whiche time, newes came abroade of 
a great wonder that hadde chaunced at a place called Oxenhale, icithin the Lordship of 
Derlington, in which place a part of the earth lifted it selfe up on height in apparance 
like to a mighty Tower, and so it remained from nine of the clocke in the morning, 
till the even tyde, and then it fell downe with an horrible noise, so that all suche 
as were neighbours thereabout, were put in great feare. That peece of earth with the 
fall, was swallowed up, leaving a greate deepe pitte in the place, as teas to be seene many 
yeares after."t 

It does not seem to have struck the chronicler that the pit still remained in 
the shape of Hell-Kettles, nor does he account for its disappearance. The 
event is more minutely detailed in Brompton's Chronicle.^ 

be no doubt that the rest, though recorded in Latin, was in the same, and it appears that 
the king understood English, though he might not be able to speak it, for he, speaking in 
French, desired his attendant soldier to ask the rustic if he had dreamed all this. The 
soldier (who must have spoken both languages) made the enquiry accordingly, in English, 
when the man replied to the king in the same language as before. " Whether I have 
dreamed it or no, mark this day ; for, unless thou shalt do what I have told thee, and 
amend thy life, thou shalt within a year's time hear such news as thou shalt mourn to the 
day of thy death." Then he vanished, and calamities thickened on the perverse king. 
His profane market at Norton waned and fell, and like the heap at Oxenhale, the place 
of the Market Cross is marked by a large pool, called Cross Dyke, which, as dyke is applied 
to any thing formed by digging, may have been artificially caused. Some years ago I 
remember its being perfectly dry in a hot summer, but was too young to observe whether 
any remains of the Cross foundations existed. 

* Gerua. Dors, in margine. 

t An. Reg. 25. Rog. Houe. 1179. in margine, i. e. the year 1179 began at the Christmas 
in mention. Roger Hoveden wrote at the end of 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries. 

£ Brompton was abbot of Jorevale or Jerveaux, in Yorkshire, and Selden has shewn 
that the book was by no means written by him, but merely procured for the house while he 
presided. The chronicle begins with St. Augustine's mission, and ends in 1199, though the 
author (who wrote it in or after 1 328) intimates at the commencement his design of bringing 
it down to the time of Edward I. It is compiled from earlier authorities, some of which 
we do not now possess* 

F 



34, HELL-KETTLES. 

1179. About Christmas, a wonderful and unheard of event fell out at Oxenhale, 
viz., that in the very domain of Lord Hugh, Bishop of Durham, the ground rose up on 
high with such vehemence, that it was equal to the highest tops of the mountains, 
and towered above the lofty pinnacles of the churches ; and at that height remained 
from the ninth hour of the day even to sunset. But at sunset it fell with so hor- 
rible a crash, that it terrified all who saw that heap, and heard the noise of its fall, 
whence many died from that fear ; for the earth swallowed it up, and caused in the 
same place a very deep pit.* 

Camden, quoting a nearly similar passage from the Chronicles-)- of Tyne- 
mouth, says that the earthquake origin of Hell-Kettles was at his time 
adopted by " the wiser sort and men of better judgment/' Lord LyttletonJ 
observes that in the account " only one pit is mentioned, and naturally the 
falling in of an heap of soil so raised would form but one. This hill probably 
was puffed up by subterraneous fires, like that in the Lucrine Lake, now 
called Monte-novo ; but what has filled up the chasm caused by its sinking, 
or divided it into different cavities, it is not easy to say/' Gordon adds that 
" as modern philosophy has ascertained that sulphur and water are active 
agents in the production both of earthquakes and volcanoes, it seems highly 
probable that the water of the spring having found its way into the bed of 
sulphur, which impregnates the Spas at Croft and Dinsdale, excited the vol- 
canic action described by the chronicler ; then as soon as the pent up vapours 
got vent, the ground would, of course, sink down, and the spring having thus 
gained the surface, would produce the hollows which subsist to this day. In 
fact we learn from Sir William Hamilton's account of the great earthquake 
in Calabria, in 1 783, that circular hollows filled with water were produced in 
the plain of Rosarno, during that awful convulsion of nature/' When roads 
were bad and communication slow, events would become much altered in 
their transmission from mouth to mouth, before they reached the chronicler's 
ears, and if the phenomenon was of irregular extent, and caused more hills 
and pits than one, the largest would probably only be recorded. Allowing 
that there is a difficulty in the identification, is there not a much greater one 
in answering the question, " If Hell-Kettles are not the vestiges of the earth- 
quake, where was the deep pit, and what has blotted its trace from Oxen-le- 
field V In Cheshire, a.d. 165.., " a quantity of earth foundered and fell down 
a vast depth,"§ and near Leeming a similar occurrence took place about a cen- 
tury ago. The ground gave way and a deep pond appeared. Men with 

* Ann. 1179. Infra vero idem natale Domini contigit apud Oxenhale quoddam mirabile 
a seculo inauditum, exilicet, quod in ipsa Domini Hugonis Episcopi Dunelmensis cultura, 
terra se in altum ita vehementer elavit quod summis montium cacuminibus absequaretur, 
et quod super alta templorum pinnacula, emineret, et ilia altitudo ab hora diei nona usque 
ad occasum solis permansit. Sole vero occidente, eura tarn horribili strepitu cecidit, quod 
omnes cumulum ilium videntes, et strepitum casus illius audientes perterruit ; unde multi 
timoi'e illo obierunt ; nam tellus eum absorbuit, et puteum profundissimum ibidem fecit. 

f They mention the " deep pit" as being " to be seene for a testimony unto this day." 

X Life of King Henry II. Appendix, p. 24. 4to. edit. 

§ Aubrey's Wiltshire, Roy. Soc. p. 106'. 



HELL-KETTLES. 35 

teams were employed to fill it up, and had almost succeeded, when one day, 
on their return from dinner all had disappeared, and the hole was as deep as 
ever. It is said to be unfathomable, is nearly full of water, and now sur- 
rounded by a strong hedge to prevent accidents. A man is reported to have 
sunk with the earth, and the field is called Clje (£artl) quake dftclfc.* By the 
way, some fifty years ago, a gentleman lodging at Jamie Trenholme's, in 
Blackwellgate, leaped into one of the Hell-Kettles, and was drowned. 

Thrice happy associates, who keep up the sport, 
To the field haste away, to Hell-Kettles resort ; 
And crown, boys, and crown all confusion's dear joys, 
With rancour, and malice, and nonsense, and noise. 

Derry down, &c. 

And whilst you are drinking from Cocitus' cup, 
And Lucifer laughs as you quaff the toast up, 
The muse who hangs loitering upon your dull heel, 
Will further descriptions and characters steal. 

Derry down, &c. 

Such are the two last stanzas of " Nimrod's Garland : or, Darlington 
Chace," a desperately personal tract from George Allan's press, a piece of 
no incident, and whose allusions are too local to be very interesting. It was 
succeeded by " A Tail-piece to the Darlington Chase," and " The Dismal 
Lamentations of a Monopolist of Game, some time since mournfully sung 
on the banks of the Don ; at present applied by Christopher Fungus, Esq., 
to himself and his brother, Nimrod Fungus, Esq., and bellowed out with 
greater pathos on the banks of the Tees, to the tune of " Babes in the 
Wood." Mutato nomine, de te Fabula narratur. London : Printed in 
Blackwall Close, 1783. Licensed and entered according to order." This 
latter is not without spirit, but in the present excitement on the game ques- 
tion, may not be exactly suitable to the pages of a book for all readers, 
though withal highly amusing. 

H [i] 11 had a great ox — sheep I've in store, 

Hare or mutton, our dinner's the same ; 
Our servants will not think of neck-beef, 

When their bellies are filled with Game. 

An odd tract was published by M. Darnton, in 1791, entitled " Hell- 
Kettles, with The Origin or Darlington : a Dramatic pastoral," 
prefaced by a short and rather important description of the place. Then 
comes an apology from the author in lines of a peculiar construction : 

His work, devoid of rhetorical charms. 
But aims at narrative — not stage alarms. 

* Ex inf. Nicholai Trant de Bedale, Chirurg. 



3G HELL-KETTLES. 

The Dramatis Personam are, Minerva ; Sylvia, a shepherdess ; Arcadius, a 
shepherd betrothed to Sylvia, and the Genius of Darlington. Sylvia, in a 
grove, pensive and terrified at the convulsions of nature, is approached by 
Arcadius, who, in horror asks if his hapless absence has " forced hesperion 
drops from those adorable luminaries/' whereupon she gives an account of 
the direful presages which had happened near the confluence of the Dare and 
Tisa, and the tremendous sounds which " reechoed from the neighbouring 
mountains/'* Arcadius informs her that these things were pronounced at 
Acley's sacred grove, and is interrupted by Minerva, who calms their fears 
and explains in a way not very relevant to the catastrophe, how the 
Naiads, Neptune, Sol, and Vulcan, would combine to bless Deira. The 
Genius of Darlington sings about Mercury visiting " the sweet banks of the 
Dare/' and with Ceres, Pan, Bacchus, and Silenus, forming a mart at 
Darlington, which Jove approves : • 

Old Cuthbert, whose miracles fill the dull page 

Of monastic transcribers from Rome ; 
His bones claim the merit our pains to assuage, 

His veiled courtesy softens our doom. 
Appalled by this pretext, the son of great Ulph, 

Adds the town to his patron's domains, 
In hopes of avoiding Charybdis' feigned gulph 

And the torment of Chimera's flames. 

Grave Leland in after-times prancing this way, 

The archives of famed Albion to trace, 
'Tis meet, said the Sire, to my Prince to convey 

A picture so apt for his grace : 
He noted the Temple, the Palace, and Mart, 

With the soft-flowing stream of old Dar : 
All Phcenix-like risen, not harmed by the smart 

Of frenzy, disaster, and jar. 

The happy association of the stately Cuthbert, with Bacchus and Silenus, 
the idea of Styr son of Ulphus having ever dreamed of Charybdis and 
Chimera, and the gallant contempt of vulgar chronology, displayed in the 
genius of 1179 recalling Leland and bluff Hal in his narration, all are as 
refreshing in these iron days as a cucumber in summer, and exhibit a vigour 
of conception well deserving of a guerdon from the Pastoral Aid Society. 
There is, after all, something curious, considering how Darlington has caused 
railways to spread over the globe, in Minerva's bouncing prophecy of a time 
when "this fertile district shall be the luminary of agricultural science; 
distant empires shall profit by her instructions ; and the Scythian deserts be 
ameliorated with her implements." 

One note more as to marle-pits. I have just been to Hell-Kettles, tasted 

* Where are they % 



WELLS. 37 

all their waters, and could not distinguish any pungency whatever, they were 
slightly favoured with iron,* and by no means unpleasant to the taste. A 
dog drank them readily, and completely nullified the popular notion that the 
canine species will not venture to swim across these pits of Avernus. The 
water of the large pool was beautifully clear round the margin, discovering a 
bed lined with vegetation of an exquisite green, indeed it merits the appella- 
tion of a very pretty little mere, the two conjoined were darker, and the 
smallest quite muddy. There was something about all these pits, neverthe- 
less, unearthly and solemn, producing an effect upon the mind, peculiar and 
lasting. A friend adds one more origin for them, viz., that they were 
workings for iron stone. Poor old chroniclers, what liars we modern sceptics 
would make you ! 



WELLS. 



In 1545 when Henry VIII. granted the messuage in Darlington which had 
belonged to the Priory of Mountgrace to Thomas Whytehed (nearly related 
to the last Prior and first Dean of Durham), in free socage, it is described as 
" all the messuage formerly in the tenure of Rich. Aleynson, now of Chris- 
topher Hogge and Agnes his wife in Darlington otherwise Darneton upon 
the welV'f This was, doubtless, the spring which gave name to Tubwell 
Row, more anciently le well rawe, juxta Tubbwell,\ and which was, like the 
well in Skinnergate, of sufficient consequence to need annual overseers. The 
overseers of le Tubbwell and SMnnergaite Well (two for each) occur from 
1612 when the Borough books commence, and cease during the hiatus 
(163«3-1710) in them, for in 1760 the overseers of the Highways were 
amerced for not repairing the Tubwell. It is now covered by a pump. 

1612. The Jurors lay a paine that none shall wash cloathes, fish, or such like things 
at the Tubwell to putrifie the same upon paine of 6s 8d. 

1621. A paine none shall washe any clothes, fyshe, or scower any skeles§ tubbes or 
other vessels, but at or below the title well at the tubwell upon paine of 3s. 4d. (Borough 
Books.) 

The well in Hundegate || is mentioned in the charter by which Bishop 
Beke gave to the Church of Darlington a messuage as a vicarage house, near 
the gate of his mansion, with one venell ^[ which formerly led to the well, by 

* The presence of iron is very visible near them, and a spring strongly impregnated with 
it originates a stell in a neighbouring field. 

f Surtees. J Borough Books, 1612. 

§ A skele is a small round tub of wood, with an upright handle of the same material, 
rising at one side instead of an arched one across of iron. || Fontem de Hundegate. 

If Narrow Passage. A venell, called Hundgate Well, is mentioned as a boundary in 1507. 



38 BRIDGES. 

the taking in of which the messuage was enlarged. This was in 1309. In 
1621 the daughter of Mrs. Hearyn and the wife of Henry Shawe were 
amerced for abusing the well in Hungate.* 

In the Nessfield estate, close to the Skerne, is the Drop-well, covered by a 
brick arch by the Allans and of very tardy flow, which, accompanied by a 
group of cattle in the summer, constitutes a happy picture. Between Dar- 
lington and Haughton also, near the foot-path from Northgate is the Rock- 
well, which springs from rock seemingly formed of small stones united by a 
limey substance. This, with its canopy of trees, is also a beautiful little 
scene, but it has been much injured in latter years by a wholesale plunder of 
part of the rock, to the great regret of all lovers of nature's elegance. 

16 Jas. I. Surrender of a close in Cockerton, called Capsay-hill, bounded on the 
S. by Cole-street, and on the W. by Capsay well close. — (Halmot Booh.) 

1642. Thomas, Lord Faulconbridg Baron of Yaram, nephew and heir of James 
Bellasis, Esq. deceased, adm. to Grasse Inn Moore, Kilnegarth, Kay Close, Cheisley, 
East and West Myers, Well leezes, Annat Thorne, Annat well, and Huntersheile field, 
in Blackwell, which belonged to his uncle, James. In the next court, James's widow, 
Isabella, adm. to some of the Towne land, Blackwell, and his executor, Thomas Swin- 
borne, to all the closes specified above. {Halmot Books.) James Bellasis lived at Owton, 
and in Stranton church is a costly monument to him, displaying his effigy as rising 
from the tomb and throwing off a winding sheet, with a long epitaph in the usual ful- 
some style of the period. 

One of the springs in the Baydales estate flows down a grim little glen 
called Grimsley Gill (a most appropriate cognomen), and uniting with a larger 
runner which proceeds from another spring rising in the middle of a field 
and is never dry, finds its way to the Tees. 



BRIDGES. 

In some old charter at Durham I remember mention being made ot a ford 
at Darlington, but a Bridge existed here in very early times. In 1343, 
Cecilia Underwood-f- leaves "ponti ultra aquam de SJcyrryn 13s. 4d. Item 
ponti de Halghton 6s. Sd. Item qui vocatur Walkebrigg 2s. Item pontibus 
inter villam de Norton et Herdewyk 3s." Leland says, " Darington Bridge 
of stone is, as I remembre, of three arches/' but, in after times, it possessed 
nine goodly arches, which are very conspicuous in Bailey's print of 1 760, and 
which Defoe, in 1727, mentions as "a high stone bridge over little or no 
water." In fact at that time and until a very recent period the river was 
wide and shallow and formed a vast morass along its banks on the eastern 
side. At the October sessions, 1751, a view and report were ordered of 

* In 1666, land called Houndwells is mentioned in Haughton. Hutch, iii. 181. 
f Of whom hereafter. 



BRIDGES. 39 

Haugliton and Burdon* Bridges, and also the road at the N.E. end of Darling- 
ton Bridge ; and in April, 1752, the report of Tho. Davison, Geo. Allan, W. 
Sutton, John Emerson, and Henry Thorpe, justices, who, with the county 
surveyor, had viewed the premises, certified : 

" That the said Bridges and road are very insufficient and Dangerous in the winter sea- 
son for Carts, Carriages, and Persons passing on horseback along the same, by reason of 
the Deepness of the said Road and the overflowing of the River Skearn upon the same, 
and at the said bridges (even in very small floods) whereby not only carriages but also 
laden horses are frequently stopt for several days together ; and we do also certify that 
• the said Bridges and Road have been, time immemorialy, used for Carts and Carriages, 
and (as it appears to us) have been constantly Repaired and Amended by the County of 
Durham ; and we do also certify that it will (in our opinion) be absolutely necessary, 
and for the Publick good, to enlarge the said Bridges and Road, viz., by Building another 
large Arch at the East End of Burdon Bridge sufficient for Carriages, and to raise the 
road at each end of the said Bridge ; also, by taking down and widening the Arch of 
the Bridge at Haughton, and raising the Road at the East End thereof; also, by raising 
the Road at the North-East End of Darlington Bridge with a Battlement or Flank 
Wall on the side thereof, so as to make the same sufficient, and fit for Carts and Car- 
riages to pass along the same with safety.'' 

The estimate in 1753 of John Hunter for building the proposed wall, for 
"10 cundels to take off the springs in that part of the road/' for levelling the 
road to the height of the wall and paving a " causey " in front of the houses 
was i?50 7s. The wall was to be 1 yard high and 1 2 yards distant from 
the houses. 

In 1767 Messrs. R. and W.Nelson, of Melsonby, contracted to build a 
new bridge for ^860, of Gatherley Moor stone. In this estimate, the para- 
pet was to be of brick, but in 1 768 Counsel moved that at an extra cost of 
i?140 (making the total cost ^1000) a stone parapet should be erected by 
Nelsons on the ground of the insecurity of a 140 yards line of brick which 
would be a perpetual charge to the county " as it was in the old Bridge 
where repaired with bricks/' Six out of ten magistrates consented.-f- 

This bridge is a plain one of 3 arches, much too narrow (especially in the 
footpaths) for the traffic upon it as an approach from the Railway station, 
and shamefully encroached upon by ugly sheds, &c, built upon the parapet 
walls. It stands at the foot of Tub well Row (which is called Briggate by 
Hutchinson) by the side of the scite of the old nine-arched bridge, which, 
after all, had a very gallant effect. 

The Skerne is also crossed by iron bridges at the feet of Priestgate and 
Workhouse lane, and by sundry smaller bridges communicating with North- 
gate, none of which deserve mention. Those by which the two railways pass 
over it are, however, fine structures, that on the York and Newcastle line is 



* In 1430 Bishop Langley granted indulgences to all those who should give alms and 
monies for making a bridge between Halghton and Burdon. 
f Papers penes R. H. Allan, Esq. 



40 BRIDGES. 

indeed a most elegant object near the Drop-well, consisting of light elliptical 
arches on lofty piers. Between the town and the Tees, the Skerne runs under 
Nought or Snipe Bridge and Oxenfield Bridge ; the latter being almost at its 
estuary, over it the Croft road passes. Snipe bridge is of brick, very narrow, 
and apparently built upon the remains of a wider one of stone. It has two 
arches, the Skerne running through one, and a little sike flowing by the terri- 
tory of Humble-sykes, through the other, joining the Skerne under a willow's 
shade just after. Snipe House is close by, and the place has a degree of 
beauty about it. 

1649. That Francis Goundry, piiider, of Darnton, shall scoore and dresse the stell 
nere Darnton Bridge before Whit Sonday. (Halmot Books.) 

1592. The Dean and Chapter of Durham bestowed out of their funds for repairing 
highways and bridges, " To the highway between Cottom and Darlington £1 10s. 
To Skerne Oxen bridge £1." £20 a-year was spent by the Chapter for this purpose, 
upon their foundation. 

1710. John Dent, of Nought bridge, par. Darlington occurs. (Borough Books.) 
Nought (neat) is a general word for cattle. We have a Nought Fair. 

The Cockerbeck after leaving the head of Badle-beck (which is crossed by 
Moudon Bridge, near Moudon House, and the Barnard-castle road) flows 
under a good stone bridge (near which is Stepping-stone Close), and another 
in Northgate, which has recently been widened, and near which John, the 
son of Robert Hutchinson, of Thurslington Hall, a young man, was slain by 
a fall from his horse in 1713, {Par. Beg.) 

1620. Bridgend house and Bridgend close, Cockerton, occur. ( Halmot Books.) 
1627. Christopher Skepper adm. to Cockerton Briggs Close (Halmot Books.) 
This fellow was son of Christopher Skepper, of Durham, who was clerk of the Halmot 
Court, steward of Darlington Borough Court, 1612, and "the 13th son of his father." 
He died 1623. Young Kit was a " prodigal," and when he was admitted to his father's 
lands, by order of Mr Justice Hutton, in 1625, it was only on giving security to pay his 
father's debts, for which he was then imprisoned, and to keep harmless his two brothers, 
William and Moses. The latter was clerk of the Halmot Courts, and Christopher Sher- 
wood, Rector of Bishopwearmouth, preached his funeral sermon (1641), from the odd 
text, " Moses my servant is dead." (MicMeton's MSS.) There are Skepper's Closes 
in the Hill Close House estate, which are leasehold of the Bishop, an unusual tenure 
here. Chr. Skepper was amerced in 1621 for keeping undersitters in his house. 
( Borough Books. 

* # * 1619. A paine of 39.?. that Richard Patteson shall, before the feast of St. John 
Baptist next, eyther joyne with Hurwoorth and make a bridge betwixte the Lordshipp of 
Hurwoorth and the grounde belonging the Borrough of Darlington in the usuall way on 
Brankin Moore, or otherwise avoyde his cowegaite before that tyme of the said moore 
for ever hereafter, for which charge he hadd the said cowegait formerlie graunted. 
(Borough Books.) A small runner divides the townships of Hur worth and Darlington. 

Formerly the coaches from Richmond, &c, came round by Croft, but, in 
1832 the foundation-stone of a bridge of Gatherley-moor freestone was laid. 
It consists of 3 light elliptical arches, the centre one being 78 feet and the 



BRIDGES. 41 

two side arches each 63 feet span, and was designed by Mr. Green, of New- 
castle. A Toll is exacted on both horse and foot passengers. On Dec. 16, 
1833, the Tees rose with great rapidity to an unusual height, and, as a 
labourer was attempting to secure some timber* at the new bridge, it was swept 
away with the man upon it, and carried down the stream. On arriving at 
Croft Bridge, the dangerous situation of the man was observed by a gentle- 
man on horseback, who immediately galloped to Hurworth, and gave the 
alarm ; and, on the timber arriving at that place, the man was removed by a 
boat, in a state of great agitation, and safely landed ashore. 

Croft bridge is one of the noblest bridges of ancient date that we have in 
the North. It has 6 large arches and 1 smaller arch on the Southern side, 
each of which is boldly ribbed, and the widening of the bridge instead of de- 
teriorating from their beauty has added greatly to their richness, the new 
part being similar to the old, though the bounding line is very visible on 
close inspection. The North Riding of Yorkshire repairs 95 yards 2 inches, 
and Durham 53 yards and 2 inches. 

The blue boundary stone is on the pier of the 3rd arch from the Durham 
side, and is inscribed :_" Due.) contribvat north rid. com. ebor. et com. 
dunel. statv. apvd sess. VTRQ e gen. PAC. an. do. 1673/' In former times, 
however, the metes and bounds on a Tees bridge when thieves " took Darn- 
ton Trod" were matters of life and death as much as of £. s. d. now, a cir- 
cumstance seized by Surtees in his excellent ballad founded on the fact of 
James Manfield, of Wycliff, gentilman, claiming sanctuary at St. Cuthbert's 
door in 1485, for having, with others, assaulted and slain the Rector of Wy- 
cliff with a Wallych bill (Welsh bill or axe.) 

He twirled till lie wakened brother John ; 
" ho," the friar cried, 
" We set lyg'ht by these mad pranks on the Tees, 
If they keep the southern side. 

" But hadst thou done so in Darnton Ward, 
At the Blue-stone of the Brigg. 
By'r Lady, thou had far'd as hard 
As Dallaval did for his pigge.f 

" Ho, penancer ! here's a jolly fellow 

Has slain a Tees- water priest." 
" Gramercy," quoth he, " if the 'vowson be ours, 

The damage will be with the least. 

* The wreck of a jetty swept down by the flood. The labourer's name was Jeffrey 
Butterfield. 

f I have heard it oft told, that one morning of old, Seaton Delaval Hall was a Tynemouth 
monk's stall: This fat monk he did prig the roast head of a pig, just about to be eaten by 
the gay lord of Seaton, who whacked him so sore that he eat little more, and died, as they 
say, in a year and a day. But the prior and each monk, put the knight in a funk, and 
made him give lands to add to their sands, and cut on a cross, now scarce worth a toss, 
their own rhyme on the guilt he had done with his hilt. Now, thus ran that note on the 
rassal he smote — 

<© Ijorrfo 'nttit ! 3To kill a ma« for a pt'3's' Ijette. 

G 



42 BRIDGES. 

" These rascals are neither streight, nor strict ; 

They keep not St. Cuthbert's rule ; 
He that follows not Benedict 
I count him for a fule. 

* # * 1598. Bishop Matthew writes to Archbishop Hutton informing- him that the 
pledges lately delivered by Sir Robert Kerr, Warden of the Middle marches of the 
Scottish border, were to be conveyed to York, and be received at Alnwick by Mr. Wm . 
Fenwick, from whom the Sheriff of Durham was to receive them at Gateshead and deli- 
ver them to the Sheriff of Yorkshire at Croft Bridge, "being the usuall place betwene that 
countie and this to deliver and receave all maner of prisoners ." However, the event was 
that the Under-Sheriffof Durham received them " at the Blewe Stone upon Tine brigg" 
and conducted them all the way to York* The prior circumstances are curious. Sir 
Robert Carey, deputy- warden of the East marches of England, wrote to Kerr to fix a day 
to take order for quieting the Borders till his return from London. Kerr made Carey's 
man drunk, left him and came to an English village, broke up a house, took a poor fel- 
low whom he murdered, went home to bed, and sent the messenger next day with the 
appointment. On the day fixed Carey left Kerr in the lurch and rode to London, and 
on his return sought redress in vain. The Scotch Borderers, glad of the quarrel, stole in 
all directions, Carey often caught them and coolly hanged them, and says " All this 
while we were but in jest." At last Kerr's favourite Geordie Bourne was taken, and 
though on the representation of the Borderers, who feared Kerr's fury, Carey suspended 
his execution and posts were sent to Kerr that he might make terms, yet Carey on 
hearing from the thief's own lips what a villain he had been, in the meantime executed 
him, and Kerr's coming was a second time a mere hoax. A Commission of the two 
kingdoms now sat and found many malefactors guilty on both sides who were to be 
delivered as pledges till satisfaction for the thefts was made. Kerr failing in bringing his 
prisoners yielded himself and actually chose Carey for his guardian. The two became 
good friends. Kerr was delivered to the Archbishop but his pledges were got and he set 
at liberty. Carey thenceforth obtained justice at his hands, and the friendship so 
curiously formed was lasting. 

There are some good old bridges, too, at Barnard-castle, Piersebridge, and 
Yarm on the Tees. Formerly a great number of travellers crossed at 
Neasham Ferry and drank a naulum with Charon-f- there, who, when I 
crossed a year or two ago, was represented by a sort of Flibbertigibbet of im- 
portance and impertinence the most comical that could well be imagined. 

Dear Reader, did you ever see the soldier on Darnton Bridge, who, when 
you approached, gave a jump on the wall and dashed headlong to the waters 
below with a gurgle and splash ? If you have not, others have, that is all. 

* Hutton Correspondence, Surtees Society, 137- 139. 
+ Tour of Thomas Kirk, of Cookridge, co. York, 1677. Richardson's reprints, No. 25. 



^iITJwk 




[Arch in the Old Hall, Darlington.] 



DIVISION II. 



adapter $. annals from ti^e i&arltest ^moir to tije 
©eati) of 1&tri)artr MBL 

A little rule, a little sway, 

A sun-beam in a winter's day, 

Is all the proud and mighty have 

Between the cradle and the grave. — Grongar Hill. 

Let me on entering upon this field of labour, trespass somewhat on my 
ecclesiastical division, and drag from thence the possible cause of Darlington's 
standing higher than its neighbours. In 893 the Lindisfarne clerks thought 
it high time to look about them, for they began to understand " that the 



44 ST. CUTHBERT'S 



Danes would not (like the Devill) be affrighted away with holy water, and 
saw by the bad successe of other monasteries, that it was not safe trusting to 
the protection of a Saint/'* So, forthwith wandering 



-from Holy He, 



O'er northern mountain, marsh, and moor, 

From sea to sea, from shore to shore, 

Seven years Saint Cuthberfs corpse they bore. 

" While these things were going on," says Prior Wessington,f " Saint 
Cuthbert ceased not from performing miracles ; for which reason, in those 
parts, at a distance from the eastern coast (in partibus occidentalibus), where 
the said Bishop and Abbot for a while sojourned, through fear of the Danes, 
many churches and chapels were afterwards built in honor of Saint Cuthbert 
— the names of which are elsewhere contained." J The Prior here refers to a 
list of these churches which he had compiled and placed over the choir door 
of his Church of Durham. Of course among them is Ecclesia Collegiata de 
Darlington,^ The Bishop and clergy would rest here on their way from 
Westmoreland, Cutherston|| (Cuthbert's Town), and Barton, to Cleveland. 
They selected their places of safety with great judgment, and we cannot 
wonder that the hidden pastures on the verge of the Derne should tempt 
their sojourn. Barton is, I think, popularly noted for its two bridges and 
two churches, St. Mary's and St. Cuthbert's, and concerning these latter an 
odd legend is kept up respecting two sisters, whose hatred of each other was 
so intense, that they would not worship their Creator under the same roof; so 
instead of building none at all, as would now be the case, they built two 
churches. Of course 1 do not guarantee the occurrence of any truth at all 
in so unlikely a story. 

The wanderers after visiting Cowton (Cudton, the town of Cuthbert, as 
spelt in Domesday) and divers places in Cleveland, arrived at Craike, (a 
lonely hill there, surrounded by deep forests, so thick, that according to old 
tradition, a squirrel could hop from thence to York from bough to bough.) 

They probably passed through Sessay, a little detached parish of Allerton- 
shire, whose church is dedicated to St. Cuthbert, though not mentioned in the 

* Hedge's Legend, &e. 

f MS. D. and C Lib. B. III. 30. The assertion is amply borne out by tradition. 

% Raine's St. Cuthbert, 44. 

§ Sanderson's transcript. 

|| " Cotherston, where they christen calves, hopple lops, and kneeband spiders." Some 

hot-headed fanatics of the 17th century actually did perform the profane rite alluded to, in 

contempt of baptism, but I do not know whether Cotherston was pre-eminently famed for 

such doings. The latter characteristics of Cotherston are inexplicable. On the south side 

of the road, near Doe Park (Ledger Hall) stands the pedestal or socket of what has been 

probably a cross ; it resembles a trough, and here it was where they christened calves as 

they say. Others state that it was for resting coffins upon. This reminds me of a rude 

trough near Borrowby, co. York, where Roman Catholic funerals stop in their procession 

■to the auld kirk -yard of Leek. 



WANDERINGS. 45 

list. The old church of Sessay has been pulled down and a new one erected ; 
it was a miserably Italianised structure, but had points of interest. Zigza^ 
mouldings built up here and there testified its Norman origin, and the 
stained glass was curious. On entering, you saw in the West window, first 
and foremost, a bird composedly playing the bagpipes, and the arms of Eng- 
land and France. Then in the North windows was a chest or coffin contain- 
ing bones of ghastly hue (relics ?) a noble Tudor crown, and the rebus of 
Thomas Magnus, an Agnus* Dei with M thereupon-f- and his motto above, $te 
<&ott fopll. But who was this great man whose brasses alone kept their 
place in the midst of blue flags marked with the matrices of others ? The in- 
scription under his noble figure tells you that he was " Archideacon of 
thest Eydyng in the Metropolitan Chyrche of Yorke and parson of this 
Chyrche whiche Dyed the xxviij° day of August Anno domini M°ccccc° 1." but 
the villagers will tell you something more. They will tell you how " Master 
Thomas Magnus " was found an infant in a basket on the morning of St. 
Thomas's day, and brought up jointly among the inhabitants of Sessay 
where he was found— how the Saint's day furnished a Christian name for the 
embryo parson, and his bringing up a surname, CfjomaS &man(j tiS— how 
being a steady youth, he was noticed by the respectable family of Dawnie 
(ancestors of Lord Downe, present owner) and was engaged as a servant to 
one of the young gentlemen, which afforded him an opportunity of obtaining 
some learning— how he improved his abilities and rose to high preferment, 
and then growing ashamed of his style changed it to Thomas Magnus or 
Thomas the Great — how pious a man he was, (for all effigies in churches are 
said by peasants to have represented good men) — but not how he imagined that 
according to his motto " As God will/' when God had decreed the disgrace 
of Wolsey it was proper for all good men to shun and insult him, and how 
he excused himself from receiving the Cardinal at his official residence, as 
his house was too poor for such a guest! Magnus was Rector of Bedale also, 
and according to Camden, (who places his finding at Newark, and doubtless 
he would know the truth from " our fathers/') he was a most dreadful 
pluralist. 

" Schollers pride hath wrought alterations in some names which have been sweetned 
in sound, by drawing- them to the Latine Analogie. A s that notable non-resident in our 
fathers time, Doctor Magnus, who being a foundling at Newarke upon Trent, where hee 
erected a grammar schoole, was called by the people T. Among us, for that hee was famous 
among them. But he profiting in learning, turned Among us, into Magnus, and was 
famous by that name, not only here, but also in forraine places, where hee was Ambas- 
sadour."J Camden's Remaines, Ed. 1637, p. 146. 

* " Doctor quam magnus ! gravis his, his mitis ut agnus" 
f The herbage is full of columbines, and the corner brasses of the tombstone bear colum- 
bines and iambs alternately. Query, if the former does not allude to his origin ? 
The Columbine, in tawny often taken, 
Is then ascribed to such as are forsaken. 

Browne's Britannia's Pastorals, 1613, b. i. song 2. 
i He was at Flodden Field. 



46 STYR'S GIFT 

Wherever it be localized, the legend is probably quite true. Names for 
foundlings were often manufactured in like manner, thus Cuthbert Godsend 
was christened 17 Feb., 1565, at St. Nicholas, Durham. But such a name 
in a Darlington case was far too humble for our worthies of 1601 to register, 
so Godsend was latinized, and the following stately entry inserted : 

C^oma3 a tito mteaitfii, pucr cjjmu£, SepttltuS. 

in plain English :— Thomas Godsend (sent by God) a destitute boy, buried. 

To return to Saint Cuthbert, whose travelling propensities were of a dis- 
gustingly modern stamp (not to speak of his trip down the Tweed from Mel- 
rose to Tilmouth in a stone coffin*), as much so as those teetotal feasts of his 
votaries at Blencogo in Cumberland, where nothing was drunk save the 
beverage furnished by the Naiad of Hetty (Holy) Well nigh &t. Cutjfcert'g 
^taiu. Another of his wells exists at Scorton near Richmond, and is called 
Citiffli) Htlt. It is said that it is good for cutaneous diseases and rheumatism, 
and that there was a monastery or church to the Saint near the spot, though 
no vestiges remain, being probably a site chosen as his resting place. As to 
Darlington, it may be matter of conjecture whether, as we gather from "ould 
wrytynges very pythye and pytyfull for to reade," that women were excluded 
from all churches and cemeteries where St. Cuthbert's body had rested,-)- the 
Western bays of the church nave might possibly serve as a Lady Chapel, in 
the same way as the Western chapel or Galilee of Durham, built by the same 
" joly byshop," Hugh Pudsey. They were never pewed, and there is some 
tradition about a carved oak screen which divided them from the remainder 
of the church. Sed qucere, how could fair maidens enter this suppositious 
chapel of theirs without treading the cemetry with their unhallowed feet ? I 
am afraid my suggestion must fall through. 

The monks on returning from Craike, settled at Chester-le-Street, but the 
Danes ejecting them again in 995, they briefly sojourned at Bipon, and finally 
settled at Durham. All this I have introduced here, simply because here 
we have our first recorded event at Darlington, and perhaps one reason for 
Styr's gift of Darlington to the church. 

The earliest direct occurrence of the name of Darlington is found between 
1003 and 1016, when four magnates met at the fair city of York. These 
were Ethelred the unready king, Archbishop Wulstan, Bishop Aldhune of 
Durham, and Styr, son of Ulphus, cwis dives, who had obtained licence from 
the hapless monarch, that he might give Dearningtun with its dependencies 
to Saint Cuthbert ; and now before the king, archbishop, and bishop, with 
many others of the chief personages of the realm, the donation was solemnized 

* This legend I slur over, because it is probable that it emanated from the fertile brain 
of Master Lambe, Vicar of Norham, whose song of the Laidley worm was printed by 
Hutchinson, as " a song 500 years old, made by the old mountain Bard, Duncan Frasier, 
living on Cheviot A. D. 1270, from an ancient MS." 

f Richardson's Table Bk. Leg. Div. ii, 344. 



OF DARLINGTON. 47 

with a heavy curse on all who should violate the patrimony of the Saint.* 
In those good old days, grants were made in some worshipful presence, and 
at some solemn tide or assembly, and in the absence of charters a visible token 
was frequently added to witness the fact before all men for ever, like Jacob's 
pillar, round which his brethren cast an heap of stones.-)- Witness the gallant 
horn of Ulphus, who in Canute's time was prince of Deira (in which division 
of Northumbria Darlington generally seems to have been situate) still to be 
seen in the metropolitical cathedral of the province. As this worthy was 
very probably the father of Styr, I give Camden's account of the transaction. 
" By reason," says he, " of the difference which was like to rise between his 
sons about the sharing of his lands and lordships after his death, he resolved 
to make them all alike ; and thereupon coming to York with that horn where- 
with he was used to drink, filled it with wine, and kneeling devoutly before 
the altar of God and Saint Peter, prince of the Apostles, drank the wine, and 
by that ceremony enfeoffed this church with all his lands and revenues." 
Nor did the offering of tokens cease with the general usage of written docu- 
ments. Bishop Flambard, dying and sorrowful, made restitution to the con- 
vent of Durham of the lands he had withheld from them by a charter, but 
not content with that, the conscience stricken prelate commanded his atten- 
dants to carry him to the high altar, resting upon w T hich he publicly lamented 
his transgressions, and offered a ring on the altar in restitution of all things. 
A gold ring was frequently placed in the w r ax seal, and I now look at a deed 
of as late a date as 1628, wiiereby John Oswolde, sen. of Darlington, yeoman, 
settles all his effects on his 3 daughters " as yet of tender years/' to which as 
a seal a perforated half groat of James I. is attached and sewed to the pen- 
dant slip of parchment.^: 

Styr, then, with a swinging long curse on all possible future violators ot 
the church's privileges, which was a very necessary part of the ceremony, 

" Terras Cutliberti qui non spoliare verentur 
Esse queant certi quod morte mala morientur."$ 

gave to St. Cuthbert, Dearningtun or Darlington with its appendages, || to- 
gether with lands in Coniscliffe, Cockerton, Haughton, Normanby, and Seaton, 
and by this grant it is presumed the manors of the Bishops in this town arose. 

" These," says Hegge, " were the beginnings of the church of Durham, where Ald- 
winus (the last Bishopp of Chester and the first of Durham) first ascended the episcopal! 
chayre, anno Dom. 996, in the reigne of King Ethelred, who (whiles St Dunstan was 
baptizing him,) * * * * at which St. Dunstan sware by God, and his mother, that he 
would prove a lazie fellow. 

* Simeon iii. 4. + Genesis xxxi, 45. 
$ This document is the property of R. H. Allan, Esq. 
§ Engraved on a beam in Trinity College, Oxford. Hegge's Legend of St. Cuthbert, edit. 
I. B. Taylor, p. 31. 

II " Illis diebus quidam nomine Stir filius Alfi, tempore Ethelredi Regis, contulit S. Cuth- 
berto Derlington cum suis appendiciis." — Lei. Coll. i. 42.5. 



48 STYR'S DESCENDANTS. 

" However, to maintaine the lazines of the Monks of Durham, he gave St. Cuthbert 
Darlington, with the appurtnances : where, afterwards, Hugh Pudsay built both a 
mannour and a church. To these possessions, Snaculfus, one of the nobilitie, added 
Bridbyrig (Bradbury) Mordun, and Socceburge (Sockburn). So ready was the devotion 
of those times to give all to the church and to become poor, to be made rich in the world 
to come, as if, forsooth, the monks were only the men that must be happie in both 
worlds."* 

It has been mentioned that Coniscliffe was a locality where Styr gave 
lands,-)- and it may be that his father Ulphus was the son of Thoraldus and 
identical with Ulphus,J from whom the Greystocks professed to descend. 
Certainly they long held the manor of Coniscliffe, having a manor house at 
Nether or Low Consicliffe, described in the 15th century § as "the site of the 
manor house, 12 messuages, value 20s.; a close called the Hallgarth 6 acr., 
value 20s." &c. The present Hallgarth is a field facing the traveller on 
passing down the town street full of mounds and foundations. In 1292 Lord 
John of Greystock had " within Cunoisclyve Gallows and Ingfangenethef, 
chattels of felons condemned in the court of the same franchise, &c. But 
whatever might be his origin, Styr is known as the father of Sigen, who was 
the third wife of Uchtred, Earl of Northumbria. Uchtred had been formerly 
married to Ecgfrida, daughter of Aldhune the Bishop, but, tiring of her, he 
sent her back to her father ; she married, secondly, Kilvert, a Yorkshire 
thane, who also sent her back ; at last she became a nun, and was buried in 
the cemetery of Durham. Aldhune had gilded his daughter with Barmton, 
Skerningham, and Elton, but they were returned to the church on her re- 
pudiation by Uchtred. Sigen is stated to have been given by her father to 
the earl as a bribe for killing his great enemy, Turebrand;|| but, after 
marrying a third wife, Elgiva., daughter of King Ethelred, Uchtred was 
himself treacherously slain by a rich and noble Dane, of that name, after 
submitting to Canute, who is said to have winked at the plot. His son 
Aldred (by Ecgfrida) slew Turebrand Hold, the murderer, but was himself 
murdered by Carle, Turebrand's son, in a wood called Risewood, and was 
succeeded by Eadulph, his half-brother, son of Sigen, who made sad depre- 
dations on the Welch, and gave great displeasure to Hardicanute. He 
submitted to that monarch, but was slain immediately afterwards by Siward 
who " reigned in his stead/' 

1041. — In this year also Hardicanute betrayed Eadulf, the earl, while under his pro- 
tection: and he became thus a belier of his " wed." — Anglo Saxon Chronicle. 

* Taylor's edit. I have left Ethelred's offence to the reader's imagination. Hegge gives 
the credit of the subject's generosity to the monarch it seems. 

*f* According to the Red Book of Durham, these lands were given by Snaculph, son of 
Cykell, who also gave Sockburn, &c, as above. 

X The name has survived the wreck of ages. Henry Hix Ulph, of West Ham, Essex, 
has just crossed my eye in a newspaper. 

§ Inq. p.m. Joh. Graystock, mil. 30 Langley. 

|| Simeon Dun. 80. The whole history of the Northumbrian earls is full of difficulties. 
I have referred to Hodgson's Northumberland, on the subject throughout. 



STYR'S DESCENDANTS. 49 

The hapless earl's son, Osulph, was in after years made Earl, north of the 
Tyne, by Earl Morcar, but being deprived of his office by the Conqueror, 
and succeeded by Oopsi, he collected around him a band of desperadoes in the 
like circumstances, with whom he beset a house where Copsi was at a feast, 
and pursuing him to a church, whither he fled for sanctuary, they fired it, 
and he was slain by his expelled predecessor at the gate. In the following au- 
tumn Osulph himself received a mortal wound by the spear of a robber 
whom he imprudently attacked. The blood of Styr however still flowed, 
but in a more quiet channel. Gospatric, Sigen's younger son, who never at- 
tained to the honor of the earldom, had a son Ucthred, lord of Eaby in the 
time of the Confessor and Conqueror, who had two sons, Dolfin the progeni- 
tor of the Fitz-Meldreds and gallant Nevilles, and Eadulf, surnamed Eus, who 
seems to have inherited all the fiery disposition of his race, 

%txt tollotoetf) tlje 3Stef)op'£ Cracrrtfp, or a narration of a fctefjop frnnp; Slain 
iu foocfitl fotee up imdutf men fof)o took vttit too Sljort. 

It appears that on the death of Earl Waltheof, son of Siward, who was 
beheaded 1075, more that the king might get his riches than for anything 
else, Walcher,* the first Norman bishop, bought the earldom of Northum- 
berland in the same manner as Hugh Pudsey did in after days. The offices 
of Earl of Northumberland and Earl Palatine of Durham, were distinct. 
The latter was a perpetual right, the former a granted one for life only. The 
people viewed Walcher's exercise of the spiritual and temporal powers united 
with very little reverence, and his severities under the usurper made the 
union still more detestable. Liulph, a Saxon nobleman who had married 
Aldgitha, a granddaughter of Uchtred, was in great favour with the Bishop, 
and his estates suffering dreadfully from the oppression of his deputy and 
kinsman Gilbert, he complained to the prelate of his officer's misdeeds. The 
latter in resentment beset the Saxon's house in the night-time and put him 
and the greatest part of his family to death. The popular odium was in- 
creased to perfect madness at this event, and the bishop's useless anger 
against the offence, the perpetrators being allowed to go at large ; and at his 
council held at Gateshead, it brought forth fruit. Nothing could save him, 
all his promises, all his threats were in vain, and under the leadership of 
Liulph's kinsman, Eadulf Eus, the mob gathered round the doomed assembly 
with the watchword JHjort wfcc, croofc rcOe, glea gt tije fcteljoppt-f- The few 
guards and the hated Gilbert at once met their fate, but the bishop's end was 
solemn and dignified. The church to which he had retreated was fired and 
all who rushed out were instantly slain. The last of the assembly was the 
venerable prelate. The fire urged him to the enemy's sword ; the enemy 
drove him back to the flames. But the time was none for irresolution. The 

* Pronounced Walker, as the word is in fact spelt in Hollinshed. 
f That is, the shortest advice is the best. 

H 



5() STYR'S DESCENDANTS. 

lire blazed upon him on every hand. Short was his prayer to Heaven, he 
advanced to the howling multitude. With one hand he made a fruitless 
signal to command silence ; with the other he sanctified himself with the sign 
of the cross ; and, folding himself in his robe, he veiled his face, and was in- 
stantly pierced to the heart with a lance, when his awful remains were inhu- 
manly mangled with many a sword. The hand that held the lance is said to 
have been that of Eadulf, the hand by which Eadulf was soon after slain was 
that of a woman. He was buried at Jedburgh, but his body was cast out by 
the command of Turgot, when prior of Durham, and left to rot upon the 
earth*; while the Bishop rested in his own chapter-house. He had gone with 
but few guards, it seems, in spite of a prediction by one Eardulf, who rose 
from the dead at Eavensworth for the express purpose. At his funeral he 
started up, and after his friends were recovered from their fright by a proper 
quantity of holy water, he told them all that he had seen, during a trance of 
12 hours.-)- He had seen many of his old acquaintances blessed in flower- 
covered mansions, but, oh, as to the torments he witnessed for the incorrigi- 
bles then alive, and especially for the murderers of Walcher, let me breathe 
them not. 

You might almost smell brimstone, his flames were so blue. 



And so much for the blood-stained descendants of Styr the donor of Der- 
ningtun. Few and evil were the days of the earls of Northumbria, yet fancy 
loves to linger round some of their memories ; as that of Oslac, hoary-haired 
and prudent hero, driven in 975 over the rolling tide — over the gannet's bath 
— over the water's throng— over the whale's domain — of home bereaved ; and 
Si ward the noble giant (albeit his grandfather was a [ lover disguised as a ?] 
bear), who lives in Shakspere's rhythm, founded on a popular anecdote, 

Siward. Had he his hurts before ? 

Rosse. Ay, on the front. 

Siward. Why, then, God's soldier be he ! 

Had I as many sons as I have hairs 

I would not wish them to a fairer death. 

and who rose from his death bed and once more buckled on his armour, say- 
ing " That it became not a valiant man to die lying like a beast/'' and there- 
with gave up the ghost. 

In one of the English versions of the popular romance of Horn, the hero's 
father is called Hatheolf, and he ruled over all England north of the Humber. 
Horn's companions were "eight knave childer," whom the king intrusted to 
the care of his steward Arlaund, who was "to lern hem to ride." Meanwhile 

* Hutch, vol. i. 
f If this were the whole time elapsed since his death, how quickly was the poor man 
to be hurried to his long home. 



STYR'S DESCENDANTS. 51 

the Danes invaded the northern counties of England, and had collected their 
plunder ready to be borne to their ships in Cleveland : 

Alle her pray to schip thai bere, 
In Clifland bi Tese side. 

King Hathelof thereupon assembled his army on " Alerton More ", hastened 
to attack the invaders while they were still in Cleveland ; and gained a com- 
plete victory over them. 

Whoso goth or rideth ther-bi, 
Yete may men se ther bones ly 
Bi Seynt Sibiles kirke. 

After this success the King hunted on " Blakeowe more/' and having given 
a feast at Pickering, he went to York, and there met Arlaund with Horn, 
and caused his subjects to swear fealty to the latter as his successor. Nine 
months afterwards came three kings out of Ireland : — 

Out of Yrland com Kings thre ; 
Ther names can y telle the 

Wele withouten les. 
Ferwele and Winwald wern ther to, 
Malkan king was on of tho, 

Proude in ich a pres : 
Al Westmorland stroyed thay. 
The word com on a Whissonday 

To king Hatheolf at his des. 



He met the Irish on "Staynes more," when two of the three kings were slain, 
but Hatheolf fell by the hand of the remaining one Malkan, after having 
been overpowered by the multitude of his assailants, who withdrew to their 
own country, but " an earl of Northumberland," taking occasion of the death 
king, and of the minority of his son, seized upon his kingdom, and Arlaund 
fled with Horn to the court of Honlac, a king who reigned " fer southe in 
Inglond." Here his intercourse with the king's only daughter, Bimneld, was 
discovered by Wigard and Wikele, and he was obliged to fly, under the 
name of Godebounde/to Wales. He there met a knight in a forest who con- 
ducted him to King " Elydan " who held a court at "Snowedoune." Here 
he obtained favour, and Elydan's son " Tinlawe," a king in Ireland, having 
sent to request aid against the same Irish who had invaded Horn's own 
country, he accompanied the messengers back with a favorable answer. The 
king of Wales with his men were however detained by contrary winds ; 
Horn and the two sons of the Irish king, with their army, were obliged to 
fight against superior numbers ; the two princes were taken and put to death 
and Horn wounded, but he had slain Malkan, and his death was followed by 



52 THE PERCYS. 

the defeat of the invaders. Finlak's daughter, Acula, tended Horn's wounds, 
and became deeply enamoured of him. She declared to him her love, but he 
was faithful to Rimneld, and, the seven years he had made the term of his 
absence being passed, with a hundred knights he set out, rescued her from 
King " Moging," who would have married her, slew Wigard, and compelled 
Wikele to confess his treason. He then returned to Northumberland to re- 
cover his hereditary possessions which it appears had been usurped by 
Thorobrond. Here the poem ends abruptly by a defect in the MS. It 
agrees in general plot with the French and older English versions, but the 
names and places are in it so essentially English that it appears to have been 
formed on a more ancient model, and may be the last form of a purely Saxon 
legend.* The names of Hatheolf and Thorobrond in this curious old ro- 
mance bear a strong resemblance to those of Waltheof (father of Styr's son- 
in-law), and Turebrand in real history, yet the incidents seem to refer to a 
date before the Danes gained any regular settlement in Northumbria. 

In 1086 Robert de Molbray was earl of Northumberland but was devested 
for rebellion in 1095. Henry, prince of Scotland, of the blood of Waltheof 
the last, was created earl by Stephen in 1138, and by a charter he apprises 
his barons and men of the monks of Durham (shewing that the church of 
Durham was still considered to be within the jurisdiction of the earldom), 
of all their possessions being " in his own hand and in his own protection and 
in his peace/' and he charges them to hold such in peace and preserve them 
from all harm. His son Malcolm, afterwards King, succeeded, but Henry II 
in 1157 wrenched from him the restitution of Northumberland, Cumberland, 
and Westmoreland, and though William the Lion was proclaimed Earl, by 
Duncan earl of Fife and others, the inheritance had for ever gone from Scot- 
land. Simon de St. Liz. III. also of the blood of the old Earls then succeeded. 
Hugh Pudsey bought the earldom in 1192 for life, and in 1377 Henry 
Piercy was created Earl of Northumberland ; but all the ancient jurisdiction 
seems well nigh to have passed away. 

Yet never, in its palmist days, had the earldom seen a more gallant race 
than that which now gained its faded honours, and whose crescent badge 
graces'the initial on my first page. The Percys— heroes of chronicle, ro- 
mance, and song— were no mean successors of the warlike sons of Waltheof, 
and they seem almost to have succeeded to their bloody fete. The first earl 
of Northumberland and his brother the earl of Worcester, both served with 
honour in the French wars of Edward III : both long enjoyed the favour of 
his weak successor and were by him elevated to their earldoms ; both deserted 
his falling fortunes and combined to place the domineering Bolingbroke on 
the throne ; and both, unable to bear the rod they had given, endeavoured by 
open war to depose him, and perished. -f- Follow to "the Hotspur of the 
North ; he that kills me some six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakfast, 

* Wright's Essays on " Mediaeval English Literature," &c. i. 123. 
f W. E. Surtees, in " Richardson's Table Book." Leg. Div ii. 287. 



THE PERCYS. ;>3 

washes his hands and says to his wife,__' Fye upon this quiet life ! I want 
work,'"*— to his death field of Shrewsbury, amidst the conflicting cries of 
"St. George" and " Esperance, Percy "f— and to the second earl, slain for 
the Red Rose at St. Albans— to his sons, Thomas, slain in the same cause at 
Northampton, Ralph, who fell at Hedgely Moor with the proud boast " I 
have saved the bird in my bosom" (his loyalty), and Richard, slain for Lan- 
caster at Towton — to the third Earl who met with the same fate— to the 
fourth Earl slain at his own manor-house of Cocklodge, near Thirsk, in up- 
holding the seventh Harry's oppressions— to his grandson Sir Thomas, be- 
guiled by those who raised the cry "Thousands for a Percy I" to a traitor's 
death at Tyburn__to the seventh Earl, betrayed by a Douglas (the name so 
oft opposed to Percy), and beheaded in the Pavement at York— to the 
eighth Earl, who shot himself in the Tower— to the scion of the race involved 
in Gunpowder Plot_to the betrothed of Elizabeth Percy, sole heiress of her 
house, Thomas Thynne, assassinated in 1682 ;— nay, do even more, look at 
that bold and bad man who for a time had possession of the dignity, John 
Dudley ; look back to the older earls of Northumberland, and say if ever 
title had been more luckless to its possessors and their families. Out of 
eight earls of the Percy race in two centuries, only two died in their beds. 
Craik notes also the reluctance of Percy blood to flow in other than female 
veins to the present day as a remarkable fact. 

If at any time more male births have taken place than have barely sufficed to keep up 
the descent of the title from father to son, they have usually proved unproductive. In- 
deed, this has been uniformly the case, with one exception, for more than three centuries, 
to go no further back. The seventh Earl of Northumberland, who succeeded to the 
title in 1537, left only four daughters. His brother, the eighth Earl besides three daugh- 
ters, had eight sons, but all of them died either unmarried or without issue. The ninth 
Earl left two sons and two daughters ; out of the sons only the eldest had issue. The 
tenth Earl had six daughters and only one son ; and that son who became the eleventh 
Earl, left only one child, a daughter. That daughter, the second heiress of her house, 
besides six daughters, had seven sons ; but of them all only the eldest had issue ; and he 
again left only a daughter, once more and for the third time to transfer the stream of 
descent to a new channel. Her eldest son, the second Duke, left two sons ; but the elder 
of the two, who became the third Duke, died without issue ; and the present Duke, who 
is the younger, has no family. Of the second son of the first Duke, however, who suc- 
ceeded his father as Baron Louvaine, and was afterwards created Earl of Beverley, the 
posterity in both sexes is very numerous. X — Romance of the Peerage. 

One more odd circumstance, if it were true, is disclosed in the proceedings 
relating to the claim of James Percy, the trunk maker, to the Earldom of 

* Shakspere. Henry IV. 
*f* The family motto is Esperance en Dieu, sometimes slightly varied. 
$ Some remarkable instances of this tendency occur to me. The estates of George Strong 
esq., of Sutton by Brough, co. Leic. descended through no less than five successive heiresses 
viz. those of Strong, Ensor, Dyer, Gaunt, and Franks. In like manner the manor of the 
monastery of Guisborough at Stranton, passed successively through the heiresses of Gibson, 
Kitchen, Weemes, and Hylton, and even after this female heirship had ceased, for two suc- 
cessions only one weakly son in each carried down the honours of the family. 



54 THE PERCYS. 

Northumberland, in 1680, wherein he says, "when you came first to me, I 
shewed you a mold like a half-moon upon my body, ( born into the world 
with it,) as hath been the like on some of the Percys formerly. Now search 
William Percy, and see if God hath marked him so ; surely God did foresee 
the troubles, although the law takes no notice ; but God makes a true decision, 
even as he has pleased to make Esau hairy and Jacob smooth." The parlia- 
ment viewed this divine signature (as James called it) with much less re- 
spect, and he lost the Earldom. 

The origin of the name Algernon in the family, it seems, is to be found in 
the circumstance that William de Percy who came over with the Conqueror, 
was amongst his contemporaries surnamed Alsgernons, or William with the 
Whiskers. 

And the Percys of romance, what rhymes have they created, what lofty 
and soaring though simple stanzas. How " Chevy Chase/' and the " Battle 
of Otterburne " warm the chilliest soul ; how the sorrows of the " Nut-Brown 
Maid/' and the " Fair Flower of Northumberland " melt the roughest heart ! 
The former of these two ballads is supposed to relate to Lady Margaret Percy 
the daughter of the fifth earl, and her husband Henry Clifford, who is said to 
have lived the life of an outlaw before he succeeded as eleventh Baron Clifford, 
and is printed by Percy ; the latter narrates the dismal deceit practised by a 
false knight of Scotland whom the " Fair Flower" released from captivity in 
cells of her father the good Earl of Northumberland. It is a choice produc- 
tion of the hatred formerly shown to the Scotch on the Borders', and may be 
found in Richardson's Table Book.* 

All you, fair maidens ! be warned by me, 

(Follow my love, come over the strand ! ) 
Scots never were true, nor ever will be, 

To Lord, nor Lady, nor fair England. 

The days when such words of feud were sung, are happily passed away, and 
let me pass from the gallant Earls of Northumberland, into whose association 
Squire Styr has so lengthily led me, by throwing together a note or two 
about their lands in Darlington. 

1617. The Earl of Northumberland, a freeholder in the Borough. 

1627. Rowland Place, Esq. adm. to a burgage of arable land lately pertaining to the 
Earl of Northumberland. The old Percys occur no more. 

1722. Sir Hugh Smithson of Stanwick, co. York, Barronett, leases to William Chipsis 
of Darlington, yeo. Vazie Close, containing 3 acres at Blackwellgate end. ( " The cor- 
ner close between Blackwell and Coniscliffe laines.") The close probably belonged to 
the Coniscliffe family of Vasey, a visitation family of 1615 ( no arms entered, though 
the family afterwards assumed those of the old Lords de Vesci), and of whom John 
Vasie, gen. was a freeholder in the Borough in 1617. In his inventory 1642, are men- 
tioned "one bugle horn, 105. ; his armour, 71. 10s. ; and 12 London drinking-glasses, 7s." 

* Leg. Div. i. 25. 



PALATINE POWERS. .~)5 

He was son of Christopher. In 1638 John Kelsey was adm. to a burgage in Mather- 
garthes between the burgage of George Jackson of Bedall on the South, and a burgage 
formerly Xpofer Vasye's on the North, and being le nienth rigg a le Sowth Dike. (Va- 
zie Close is now occupied by new streets.) 

1817. Hugh, Duke of Northumberland, settled to uses all that close or parcel of 
ground situate in Darlington, containing or reputed to be two burgages as it lyeth and 
adjoineth on a street called Bathgate ; and all those two closes or parcels of ground com- 
monly called Fassey's Closes lying at Black well-gate and in Darlington ; and all manner 
of pasture Gates in a Moor called Brankin Moor to the same belonging. And all those 
several closes or parcels of ground within the precincts and territories of Darlington ; 
commonly called Batthall alias Bathell Field, Turner Close, and Baidell closes, there- 
tofore purchased of Henry Garth, gent. ( These fields are situate on Bay dale Beck at its 
junction with the Tees.) 

1773. July 2. The Duke and Dutchess of Northumberland arrived in this town, in 
their way to Alnwick, on which account a man, generally known by the name of Signior 
Pecketto, saluted them, as usual, with Ins patereroes ; the last he fired unluckily burst, 
and there being a number of spectators, some of the splinters flew among them and shat- 
tered the hand of one boy, and tore the leg of another in a shocking manner, and many 
others were slightly wounded. — Darlington Mercury. 

This seems no improper place to glance at the princely estate of the bishops 
of Durham, who will henceforth appear more as sovereigns than prelates. A 
work confined to one parish of their domains seems no fitting field for any 
dissertations as to whether the Palatine jurisdiction began before the conquest 
or after, or in what particulars it differed from the privileges of the earls of 
Northumbria. It is however extremely probable that though the office of the 
latter was not abolished, it was considerably modified as to Durham, and the 
Palatine powers then given to, or by tacit permission assumed by, Walcher 
and continued by his successors. At all events from that period we constant- 
ly find the maxim true that Quicquid Bex habet extra, Episcopus habet intra. 



£oIum Sunelmmse stola jufctcat et en.se. 

" The vicinity of Scotland, then an active and vigilant enemy, and, not less, 
the insecure state of the Northern province, always restless under the severity 
of the Norman yoke, demanded that at such a distance from the seat of 
Government a power should exist capable of acting on emergency with vigour 
and promptitude ; and the motives are apparent which would incline the 
Monarch to select for this important trust an enlightened ecclesiastic, ap- 
pointed by and attached to the Crown ; in preference to a hereditary noble, 
less easily conciliated, and already possessing a dangerous share of local influ- 
ence. Owning henceforth within the limits of the Palatinate, no earthly su- 
perior, the successive prelates of Durham continued for four centuries to exer- 
cise every right attached to a distinct and independent sovereignty. Of this 



56 PALATINE POWERS. 

royalty, the limits were at all times co-extensive with the bounds of the 
Palatinate."* 

By this extraordinary franchise, the bishops levied taxes, made truces with 
their enemies, raised troops within the liberty, impressed ships for war, sate 
in judgment of life and death, and held execution of life and limb. They 
created Barons, who formed their council or parliament : the greater part of 
the lands within the liberty were held of the bishops in capite, as lords para- 
mount ; they coined money, built churches, instituted corporations by chart- 
er, and granted fairs and markets ; they had all manner of royal jurisdiction, 
both civil and military ; they were lord high admirals of the sea and waters, 
that lie within or adjoining the palatinate ; had vice-admirals and courts of 
admiralty, judges to determine according to the maritime laws, registers, ex- 
aminers, officers of beaconage, &c, &c.*f* 

The barons of the bishopric seem to have been generally the Prior, Hylton 
of Hylton, J Conyers of Sockburn, Bulmer of Brancepeth, Surtees of Dinsdale, 
Hansard of Evenwood, Lumley of Lumley, Fitz-Marmaduke of Ravensworth, 
and " two of the county of Lincoln/' but varied at different periods. Some 
of these families, such as Conyers, Hylton, and Bulmer, had a prescriptive 
right to supporters of their arms. John Fitz-Marmaduke (who dying in 
1311 in Scotland, was boiled in a hugh cauldron, and his bones transported 
at leisure across the border) although apparently only a baron of the bishop- 
ric, subscribed in 1 300 the memorable letter of the English barons to Pope 
Boniface, asserting the independence of the English crown, and renouncing 
his interference in the dispute with Scotland. His daughter was styled 
Countess of Ravenshelm. These barons§ constituted a Chamber of Peers at 
Durham, under the presidency of the Bishop, who was by no means an arbi- 
tary Sovereign, his power being considerably limited by his barons who were 
consulted, or interfered of their own accord in matters of importance. Thus : 
when Bishop Beaumont had solicited vexatious bulls and instruments to an- 
noy the Monks, at one time procuring the sole and arbitary appointment to 
the Priorate, at another a fourth of the annual revenues of the church to de- 
fray the expences of the Scottish war ; the Council prevented the Bishop 
from putting these oppressive instruments into force. 

Having thus given to the reader the necessary information respecting the 
singular sovereignty exercised by the bishop and his barons over Darlington 
and the remainder of the Palatinate for many generations, I shall proceed to 

* Surtees, i. xvi. It will be remembered that the Scotch royal race claimed the North- 
umbrian jurisdiction by descent. The Conqueror also erected Chester into a Palatinate, as 
being on the hostile borders of Wales. 

f Sharpe's Hartlepool, 12. 

% Qui baroniam Hilton tenuer. de episc. Dur. The Hyltons were however more than 
once summoned to Parliament, perhaps as barons of the realm. John Hylton, Esq., " the 
last of the barons " of the bishopric, (for though the function was lost, popular courtesy al- 
ways gave the old title) died in 1746. 

§ Amongst the charters of Pudsey, another baron is mentioned. " Habeat, &c. sicut ali- 
quis Baronum nostrorum." — Carta facta Will. fiL Will. fil. regis Stephani de terra de Parva 
Halcton. — Geoffrey d'Escolland was a baron of the bishopric in Flambard's time. 






SAXON BISHOPS. 57 

give the remainder of this chapter in a chronological form, noticing all the 
way the successions of Bishops for purposes of reference, as many documents 
are dated according to the years of the pontificate of the bishop, rather than 
the reign of the monarch. 

1018. Died, Aldhune, "first bishop of Durham, in whose episcopate Dar- 
lington had been given to the church by Styr. He seems to have been mar- 
ried, at all events he had a good-for-nothing daughter, sent home by two 
husbands as before mentioned. After his death the See remained vacant for 
three years ; at last while the ecclesiastics were sitting in chapter, a joking 
priest called 

EADMUND 



jestingly exclaimed, "why cannot you make me a bishop ? " a careless speech 
which was instantly considered to be produced by divine impulse, and St. 
Cuthbert from his shrine confirmed the idea; "or perchance a Monke his 
good friend, that lay hid under it : for I do not read that St. Cuthbert ever 
drank in his pottage that (by the proverb) he should speak in his grave/'* 
Eadmund however sorely lamented his jest, yet he proved himself a very 
proper man to be a Bishop. He was succeeded by 

EADRED 

in 1041. This fellow had by some means seized the treasures of the church 
and therewith bought the nomination of Hardicanute, however in a few 
months he died, and again undue influence of the crown was used in procu- 
ring the appointment of 

EGELRIC, 

a monk of Peterborough, in 1042, who abdicated in favour of Ins brother 

EGELWIN, 



1069. Robert Cumin, whom William had placed over Northumbria, 
having provoked the people of Durham by his cruelties, they rose up and 
slew him and his seven hundred guards. William immediately marched 
North. A detachment met with a fog at Northallerton, winch with divers 

* Hegge. 



58 THE CONQUEROR'S 

tales of the people* anent St. Cuthbert, drove them back. But the Con- 
queror cared not a whit for the Saint, and pressing forward, caused the monks 
to flee with his body to Lindisfarne. For 60 miles between York and Dur- 
ham, he destroyed houses, villages, monasteries, churches and all, reducing 
the tract to a horrible desert. A dreadful famine followed, and mortality un- 
heard of. Men were glad to eat horses, cats, dogs, and at last even human 
carcases. The lands lay untilled for nine years infested by robbers and beasts 
of prey, and the poor remnant of the inhabitants spared from the sword died 
in the fields, overwhelmed with want and misery.-f- 

1070. Scarcely had the last plague passed ere another came. Malcolm, 
king of Scotland, made an inroad through Cumberland (then in his hands) 
and carrying dreadful devastation down the course of the crystal Tees, pene- 
trated into Cleveland and burnt and destroyed everything in his march. At 
Hunderthwaite, opposite Eggleston, the people of Teesdale made a stand and 
were routed with great slaughter. Meanwhile Gospatric, the earl of North- 
umberland, invaded Cumberland, and returning with many spoils, shut him- 
self up in Bambrough castle, and by sallies from thence, weakened and annoy- 
ed Malcolm's forces on their return by the eastern coast. Enraged by these 
sufferings the Scottish king committed most horrid cruelties upon the people, J 
and carried such multitudes into captivity, that for many years after scarce 
a cottage in Scotland was destitute of English slaves. § 

1071. Egelwin, borne down with the miseries of his country and church, 
fled with considerable treasure for Cologne, but by adverse winds was driven 
into Scotland. He afterwards joined Morcar in the Isle of Ely, was taken 
prisoner, and died a miserable death of famine and a broken heart. 

Such was the end of the last Saxon bishop of Durham. From this time 
a much greater splendour attaches to the history of the Prelates, in conse- 
quence of the palatine jurisdiction becoming apparent. Shorn as it was by 
Henry VIII. of its attributes, it still preserved a wonderful degree of state in 
later times. In 1682 Pepys writes to Mr. Hewer, that he and Mr. Legg 
had "made a step to Durham, where the Bishop seems to live more like a 

* " God having pitie upon them," (the inhabitants.) Stowe. 

f Bad as the tyrant's conduct might be, I really think, from subsequent events, that the 
accounts are exaggerated. Hollinshed's language is more elegant than the majority of old 
chronicles : — " The goodly cities with theyr towers and steeples set up on a stately height, 
and reaching as it were into the aire : the beautifull fields and pastures, watered with the 
course of sweete and pleasant rivers, if a straunger shoulde then have behelde and also 

knowen before they were thus defaced, hee woulde surely have lamented. The King's 

army comming into the countrey that lyeth betwixt the Rivers Theise and Tyne, found 
nothing but voyde fieldes and bare walles, the people with their goodes and cattell being 
fled and withdrawen into the Wooddes and Mountaynes." 

X Ford, 1. v. c. 18. 

§ The ti-adition that Ulnaby, Carlebury, Walworth, &c-, were burned on an incursion of 
the Scots perhaps refers to this raid. The old Norman chapel of Walworth remains as a 
barn, with a piscina, in Chapel-Garth, and the foundations of the old village are distinctly 
visible. 



DEVASTATIONS. 59 

prince of this, than a preacher of the other world." And the Bishops would 
appear to have flourished in bodily estate in their prosperity. I have heard 
in Darling-ton, lads puffing off their " Herrings, fine herrings ! " in this style 
" Now, mistress ! here's harrings wiv bellies like bishops/ " but how far is it 
below that glorious old Newcastle cry : — " 'Ere's yer caller herrin' ! 'Ere's yer 
caller fresh herrin ! 'Ere's 'resh heerin, resh heerin ! Fower a penny ; fower 
a penny ; fower a penny, caller heerin ! ******* * 'Ere's yer caller 
ware, wi' bellies as big as Bishops' ! Fresh heerin ! fresh heerin ! ! " 

WALCHER 

who succeeded to the see, was invited over by the king in 1072 to take this 
episcopacy. 

1072. The clergy of Durham having returned from Lindisfarne, the 
Conqueror on his return from a Scottish expedition, wherein he had forced 
Malcolm to propose terms of accommodation, determined to " see the incor- 
ruptible Saint so magnified. And never were the Monks so afraid to have 
their imposture discovered, for now they had not leisure to cheat the specta- 
tors, with a living Monk, instead of dead St. Cuthbert, but made so many 
delays and entreaties to the contrary, that the king in a fever of anger was 
strook with such an heat, that hastening out of the church, and taking his 
horse, the Monks (in their historie) make him never stay his course till he 
passed over the Teese, and out of the presincts of the bishoprick, where he 
received his former temper."* 

" The King, I fear, is poisoned by a Monk." 

Shakspere. 

1080. May 14. Walcher was murdered in the manner before described, 
and the palatinate again felt the effects of William's displeasure administered 
by his brother Odo. After a vacancy of six months the king, on Nov. 9, 
nominated to the Bishopric 

WILLIAM DE CARILEPHO, 

a Norman Abbot and chief Justiciary of England, who was consecrated Jan. 
3. His removal of the secular priests from his cathedral will be found under 
the Collegiate Church. He died Jan. 6, 1095, and after a vacancy-)* of more 
than three years the see was filled by 

* Hegge. 
+ During which the king '" transferred into his treasurie 300?. by yeere forth of the 
Bishopricke." Stowe. 



£() BATTLE OF 

RALPH FLAMBARD, 

a most obsequious exactor of the Red-haired king, consecrated June 5, 1 099. 
On Henry's accession he was thrown into prison for his enormities. How- 
ever he was afterwards restored and his palatine franchise confirmed. His 
death happened on Sep. 5, 1128. 

GALFRID RUFUS, 

Chancellor of England, was consecrated Aug. 6, 1133, the see having been 
vacant for nearly five years. 

1138. David of Scotland having penetrated into England as far as North- 
allerton, was routed on Cowton Moor (Battle of the Standard.) 



The river Tees full oft did sigh, 
As she rolled her winding flood, 
That ever her silver tide so clear 
Should be swelled with human blood. 



The English were led by the venerable archbishop Thurstan, and were great- 
ly assisted by another veteran, Walter de Gaunt, of great repute in arms, 
whose father was nephew to the Conqueror's Queen. 



" Now tell me yon hosts," the king he cried, 
" And thou shalt have gold and fee — 
And who is yon chief that rides along 
With his locks so aged grey ? '' 

" Oh, that is Sir Walter de Gaunt you see, 
And he hath been grey full long, 
But many's the troop that he doth lead, 
And they are stout and strong."* 



The Gaunts, or Gants, sometime Earls of Lincoln, held Hundmanby in York- 
shire, and their name is still kept up among the populace, 

Gilbert Gant 
Left Hundmanby moor 
To Hundmanby poor, 

That they might never want. 

* The Battle of Cuton Moor, a modern ballad in Evans's colb 



THE STANDARD. (ft 

Such is the rhyme formerly sung round the market cross there on every 
Shrove Tuesday, in everlasting remembrance of the good donor. Query if 
not " Gilbert the Good" who died 1241.* But his days were evil. 



Gilbert de Gant — 
And in those days good women were scant, 
Some said they were few and some said they were many 
But in the days of Robert Coultas 
One was sold at the Market Cross for a penny. 



Or, according to another version, which doubtless the ladies of Hundmanby 
would prefer to sing, 



Gilbert Gant — 
And in them days good men were scant, 
Some said they was scarce and some said they was many ; 
But when Robert Coultas was a Lord 
There was one sold for a penny. 



These odd and rather amusing remnants of olden verse are I think unpub- 
lished, and were lately gathered by Matthew Gaunt, esq., of Leek, from the 
lips of Hundmanby seniors. 

1139. Peace was restored by the cession of the earldom of Northumber- 
land to Henry, prince of Scotland, who however was to have no jurisdiction 
over the palatinate. This seems to prove the non-existence of the franchise 
of the Bishoprick in early times, else why was it now so expressly reserved ? 

1140. May 6. Died, Bishop Bufus. At his death a Scotch priest cal- 
led William Cumin usurped the see, and actually forged Apostolic letters. 
However the ecclesiastics would not elect him, and in obedience to genuine 
orders from the Pope, escaped to York and chose 



WILLIAM DE ST. BARBARA, 



Dean of York, March 14, 1143. The intruder's nephew attempted in vain 
to convert into a fortress the church of Merrington,-)- and Roger Conyers who 
had protected his lawful prelate in his fortress of Bishopton, by some means 

* In Heckington Church windows, Lincolnshire, was for years preserved the simple but 
appropriate sentence " TJie Lord love De Gaunt." 

+ It was not unusual to make church towers serve as fortresses. Bedale Tower has a 
fire-place, portcullis groove, and even aforica of stone throughout. There is a strange tale 
about a fire-placed room in Middleham Steeple connected with a dean who is said to have 
lived there to avoid arrest. 



fi2 HUGH PUDSEY. 

had the address to bring the usurper to become prostrate at his feet. St. 
Barbara was enthroned Oct 18, 1144. Cumin had made Durham a perfect 
" Hell upon Earth/' and used every cruelty. Some of his prisoners were 
suspended across ropes, with heavy weights attached to their neck and feet, 
others were repeatedly plunged into the frozen bed of the river ; of others the 
naked feet, protruded through an aperture of the wall, were exposed to all the 
severity of the night, in fact his genius would have done honour to an Inquisi- 
tor-General himself. Barbara died 1152, Nov. 14, and was succeeded by the 
magnificent 



Elected Feb. 1152, consecrated 20 Dec. 1153, and with the monks who had 
chosen him, soundly whipped, naked, at the church of Beverley, for not ha- 
ving consulted the Archbishop. The good men soon regretted their choice 
and sufferings, for Pudsey was haughty, austere, and reserved. He was 
nephew to King Stephen. 

1164. This is given* as the circiter date of the erection of the Manor- 
house or Hall of the Bishops at Darlington by Hugh Pudsey, and the archi- 
tecture of the Chapel would seem to confirm the truth of the appropriation. 
See a full description of this building hereafter. 

Pudsey 'a Bible in four vols., folio, remains in the Dean and Chapter's Li- 
brary, and is one of the finest MSS. there. The illuminations exhibit every 
variety of the Norman style of architecture. The books have, however, suf- 
fered sorely from Dr. Dobson's Lady or nurse, who on rainy days amused his 
child in the library and cut out the " bonny shows " for it to play with. 

1183. Pudsey caused a general survey to be made of all the ancient de- 
mesne and villenage lands of his bishopric, in the manner and form of Dooms- 
day-book. This is called Boldon-Buke, probably either from being compiled 
at " Canny Bowdon/' or from the other manors being regulated according to 
Boldon Manor, which is the first in the record. I quote the entries relating 
to Darlington parish from the Record Commissioners' edition, taken from the 
very accurate transcript in the Bodleian Library, The variations in the co- 
pies kept at Durham are given in brackets. 



Derlington. In Derlington there are forty-eight oxgangs, which the villains hold as 
well of the old villenaget as of the new, and render for each oxgang 5s. and are to mow 
the whole of the Bishop's meadow and win and lead his hay, and to have a corrody^ 

* Hutchinson, i. 181. 
f " Tarn de veteri villenagio quam de novo quas villani tenent." Surtees says " which 
the tenants in villenage hold as well under the old as the new bailiwick." 
i An allowance for maintenance. 



BOLDON BUKE. (j£ 

once ; to enclose the plantation* and the court ; and to perform the accustomed services 
at the mill ; and for each oxgang to lead one wain of Wodeladet and carry loads in the 
Bishop's journies ; and besides to fetch three loads annually of wine, herrings and salt. 

Twelve farmers hold as many oxgangs and render rent as the villains, but do not 
work, nor go on the Bishop's embassies, [and they go on the Bishop's embassies.] 

Osbet Bate [Kate] holds two oxgangs and renders rent 32c?. [22c?. Surtees] and goes on 
the Bishop's embassies, [wanting in some copies.] 

The son [sons] of Wibert holds two oxgangs for winch William [Gilbert] used to ren- 
der 8s. and now renders for the same, with an increase of four acres, 10s. and goes on 
embassies. 

Odo holds a toft and sows thirty-three acres of tillage (unless they be barren) [where 
the beech grove+ was] and renders 10s. only [without services] and in another part 26i 
acres for which he renders 10s. until Robert son of William de Moubray, who is his 
ward, attains his age. 

Gaufloie [Galfrid Joie] twenty acres by 40c?. and goes on the Bishop's embassies. 

(Engeliamus, son of Robert Marescall, six acres by 12c?.) [Lambert holds six acres.] 

The smith holds eight acres ( by furnishing the iron-work for the ploughs of Little 
Halton, and the small iron- work within the court of Derlington ) [at the will of the 
bishop.] 

(Four cottagers render 18c?. for their tofts) [four cottagers render 35. and help in ma- 
king mullionsj of hay, and carry fruit and work at the mill for their tofts. 1 1] 

The Punder holds nine acres and has traves** like other Punders, and renders five 
score hens and five hundred eggs. 

(The Borough renders 5?. 

The Dyer of cloths half a mark) [The Borough, the Dyers, and the farm-rents render 
thirty marks. tt] 

The Mills of Derlington, Haluton and Ketton, render thirty marks. 

Blakewell. In Blakewell there are forty-six [forty-seven] oxgangs which the vil- 
lains hold, and render, and do service in all points as the villains of Derlington. 

Five farmers hold four oxgangs, and render and do service like the farmers of Der- 
lington. 

Thomas, the son of Robert, holds an oxgang and renders 40c?. 

Four acres which were of John Russey [Rufus] render 16c?. 

Adam, son of Ralph de Stapelton, holds four oxgangs and one parcel of tillage of six- 
teen acres and three roods, and renders 5s. 4c?., and shall be overseer of the keepers of the 
portion land^ and goes on the Bishop's embassies. The same Adam renders for the 
herbage of Batella 32c?. 



* " Virgultum" " The limits of the court, from whence the term, " TJie verge of the 
court " seems to be derived." Hutch. 

+ That is, laden with wood for fuel at the Hall and other purposes. 
X Ubi fagina fuit. 
§ Hay Ricks. 
|| A Toft is a piece of ground whereon a house stood or stands. The Tofts at Piersebridge 
constitute a field at the entrance of the village on the river, and the small Roman brass 
coins found there are called Toft Pennies. A Croft is a piece of ground attached to the 
Toft. 

** A trave or thrave of Corn is twenty-four bundles or sheaves. Hutch, iii. 217. 

ff Ten marks. Surtees. 

XX Surtees has it "and he shall look to the performance of the Bishop's autumn tillage." 

The original is " et erit sup' p'cac' custod'." Porcacio, a certain portion, one long ridge or 

rig, from porca, a rig of land rising like a hog's back. Thus we have the Four Rigs in 

Bondgate, and see p. 55. 



64 BOLDON BUKE. 

(Seven Cottagers render 3s. lOd.) [Ten Cottagers render 5s. and assist in making 
mullions of hay, and carry fruit, and work at the mill."! 
Robert Blund for a little parcel of land near the Tees 6d. 
Hugh the Punder for one acre, 12c?. and one toft of the waste. 

Cokerton In Cokerton there are forty-seven oxgangs which the villains hold, and 
render and do service in all points as the villains of Derlington. 

Four farmers hold three and a half oxgangs and render and do service like the farmers 
of Derlington. 

Six cottagers render 3s. lOd. and do service in all points as those of Blakewell. 

Oxenhale. William holds Oxenhale, viz. : one carucate and three [two] portions of 
tillage within the territory of Derlington, which Osbert de Seleby used to hold under 
fee-farm in exchange for two carucates of the land of Ketton, which his father and him- 
self used to hold in drengage* and which he for himself and his heirs quit-claimed to the 
bishop and his successors for ever. He ought also to have a horse -mill and is quit of 
multure, he and his land, and of service at the mill, and renders 60s. per annum, besides 
doing the fourth part of one drenge, viz. : he ploughs four acres, and sows with the 
Bishop's seed, harrows, and tills four portions in autumn, viz. three with all his men, and 
all his household, except the housewife, and the fourth with one man from every house 
except his own proper house, which shall be free. He keeps a dog and horse for the 
fourth part of the year, carries wine with a wain of four oxen and performs utvarr 
when it shall be laid on the bishopric. 



William of Oxenhale evidently held the chief rank among the tenants in 
the Parish. As to utvarr'-f or outward as Hatfield's survey has it, Hutch- 
inson (who calls it Vaware) imagines that it "related to the chace, and im- 
plied an out-watch at the extremities of the chace, it being usual to make a 
kind of circumvallation, if the term may be allowed, or circle of watchmen, to 
prevent the game from escaping the bounds : it is still practised in some of 
the Northern counties, where the lords have a boon-hunt ; of which an in- 
stance is in Martindale, in Cumberland, a chace belonging to the Hasell 
family/' " Such a custom/' adds Surtees, " was certainly common from 
India to these Islands ; but the text rather seems to imply some service of 
only occasional occurrence. May not outward refer to the more serious op 
erations of war, and intend the keeping watch or scouting on the advance of 
an enemy." 

The expression " the Borough, the Dyers and the farm-rents" (furm) has 
also been very differently construed. Surtees thinks it a most curious con- 
clusion that the tolls of this ancient and prescriptive borough were farmed 
out and on lease, while Hutchinson says " The ferme, or fir ma, our best law 
expositors define to be a royal tribute, for the sovereign's entertainment for 
one night on his journies, and it was the badge of a royal borough or vill. 

* Spelraan says that those who hold under this servile tenure, were tenants in capite, and 
were such as at the Conquest, being put out of their estates were afterwards restored. The 
nature of the services in this country may be seen by the description of those performed by 
William for his fourth of a drenge at Oxenhale. 

f The term recurs as wt ware' in the drenge tenure of Robert Fitz Melred (lord of Raby) 
at Wessawe. 



HUGH PUDSEV. (>5 

111 Doomsday-book Comes meriton tempore Regis Edwardi reddebat firmam 
unius noctis, it is also named in King Edgar's charter to Ely/' It may be 
remarked that under Durham, in Boldon Buke, it is stated that " Erat 
autem Civitas ad firmam." 

The Bishop evidently at the date of the record kept at least an occasional 
household here, and the tenants in villenage were charged with the carriage 
of wood and wine, to which are added two rather uncommon items, herrings 
and salt, the first probably from Hartlepool, the other from Seaton or the old 
salt-works at the Tees-mouth. Indeed with the beeves and mutton which 
the deep meadows of the Skerne would furnish to salt for winter store, there 
would be little else to lead for the hospitality of the house. A provision is 
also inserted for the transport of such articles of use or luxury as the bishop 
might require when he moved from manor to manor.* 

These extracts from Boldon Buke would not be complete without the fok 
lowing, under the head of Little Halughton, which was then in demense 
in the lord's hand. Pudsey afterwards granted it to the grandson of Stephen. 
(p. 56) 

Adam de Seleby holds at farm the demesne of this place with a stock of two ploughs 
and two harrows, and with the land sown sicut in cirograffo contained ; with the Grange 
and fold yard (curia clausa) and renders eight marks. And he finds a litter for the 
Lord Bishop in his journies at Derlington. 

And besides he has the custody of the house and court of the Lord Bishop at Derling- 
ton and those things that are brought thither, at his own cost, in consideration of a cer- 
tain parcel of tillage called Hacdale, which he holds in the fields of Derlington opposite 
the Hall on the E. side of it, across the water. 

(The pasture with the sheep is in the hands of the Bishop, but Adam, if he will, may 
have in the same pasture one hundred sheep during the term for which he shall hold the 
the said farm.) 

1189. While Richard I. was preparing for his crusade, the bishop caught 
the military mania and took the vow also, making most splendid preparations 
at the expence of his grievously taxed people. He rued in time, but the 
king had heard of all this, and was graciously pleased to wish to borrow the 
money raised and now useless. This brought about a bargain for the pur- 
chase of the earldom, wapentake, and manor of Sadberge, to be annexed to 
the see of Durham for ever, together with the earldom of Northumberland for 
life, for which the prelate was to pay 11,000/. Henceforward the mitre of 
Durham was graced with an earl's coronet, and the sword accompanied the 
pastoral staff. The young king at his investiture of the vain man could not 
help laughing merrily at the inconsistent characters he was joining, saying 
"Am not I cunning, and nry craftsmaster, that can make a young Earl of an 
old Bishop ? " But this prelate was fit to be an earl, for the world (as one of 
that age said of him) was not crucifixus to him, but infixus in kim.f 

* Surtees. 
+ Camden's Remaines. 



66 HUGH PUDSEY. 

Hollinshed says that Richard " sold to hym the manor of Seggesfielde or 
Sadberge, with the wapentake belonging to the same, and also found means 
to perswade him to buy his owns province, which he did, giving to the King 
an inestimable summe of money, and was thereupon created an Erie by the 
King for the same : whereupon he was entitled both Bishoppe and Earle of 
Durham,* whereat the Kyng woulde jest afterwards and say, what a cun- 
ning craftsman am I, that have made a newe Earle of an olde Bishoppe/' 
One thousand marks more procured the appointment of chief justiciary of all 
England and regent north of the Humber, while similar means obtained a 
dispensation of his vow from the Holy see, " which fayleth no man that is 
surcharged with white or red mettall, and would be eased/' The regent of 
the North was however soon sorely handled, for Longchamp instead of al- 
lowing him to act in conjunction with him very coolly shut the prince-bishop 
up in the Tower. 

1194. On Richard's return our bishop did not fare much better. Hugh 
had furnished 2000lbs. of silver towards his sovereign's ransom, and had even 
resigned his earldom on the king's coolness being manifest, but the latter 
learned that the bishop had only remitted a small portion of the sums he had 
extorted from his vassals on pretence of raising the ransom, on which account 
he devised repeated occasions to impose various fines and penalties on the em- 
bezzler ; and this he did with greater severity, as the Bishop did not in any 
way conceal his riches, and among all his mischances and troubles ceased not 
from the building of our church at Demington\ nor from other religious 
works. Soon after, William of Scotland being in treaty for the restitution of 
Northumberland, for a sum of money, the bishop outbid him, and set out for 
London with the money (2000 marks), but died at Howden, (having eaten 
at Craike too many good things at supper), Mar. 3. He made restitution to 
the monks of all lands he had illegally dispossessed them of, adding the vill 
of Newton, which he purchased and confirmed to them by charter, and left the 
2000 marks to the king he had promised him. St. Godrick the holy saint 
of Finchale, had told him he should be seven years blind before his death, 
this the Bishop believed in a literal sense, and deferring his repentance till 
the time of his blindness, " dyed unprovided for death. But if good deeds 
be satisfactorie, then dyed he not in debt for his sinnes." If one may judge 
from the silly bargains he made, he was indeed blind. Throughout his life 
his ambition was unbounded, and the only reflections which can fill the mind 
on viewing the magnificent temple and the once handsome mansion which he 
erected at Darlington are those which point alike to his other works, and 
mark them all as monuments raised by pride to his memory, inscribed with 

* Stowe repeats this statement. Durham was therefore still in some respects included 
in the earldom of Northumberland. 

+ Sic. Gaufridus de Coldingham. Surtees Society. 



RICHARD DE MARISCO. $7 

the perpetuation of the vile extortions and grievous oppressions he committed 
on his distressed province.* Still he was a great man in his way. 



PHILIP DE POICTEU, 

a native of Aquitaine, was elected 30 Dec. 1195: consecrated 12 May, 1197. 
His quarrels with the monks exceeded all those of his predecessors in vio- 
lence, and give one a queer idea of episcopacy. He beset the cathedral with 
troops ; commanding fire and smoke to be put to the windows and doors, and 
exhibiting the most supreme contempt for St. Cuthbert, with a tumultuous 
mob interrupted the convent in the holy offices of his festival, breaking in 
upon the altar, laying impious hands on the sacred furniture and dragging 
forth the prior and monks ministering there. He died 22 April, 1208, and 
the see was vacant for nine years and a half. 

RICHARD DE MARISCO, 

Chancellor of England, consecrated 2 July, 1217. One of his seals repre- 
sents him standing on an insulated piece of ground, surrounded by bulrushes 
growing out of the water — de marisco. 

Two confirmatory charters of this Bishop, or possibly one of him and one 
of his successor, relate to Bishop Philip's grant of Mayland, Satley, to Bar- 
tholomew de Mariscis under the tenure of a fair of gilt spurs, to be presented 
to the bishop on St. Cuthbert's feast in September. One of these charters is 
dated " at Deryngton, 6 May, the first year of our episcopacy/'-f- 

He died 1 May, 1226, after a stormy reign spent in disputes with the 
monks : however one of them made him an odd epitaph of a dozen fines all 
ending in itis. He was found dead in bed at Peterborough Abbey after ha- 
ving daintily refreshed himself with costly meats, in going with a " great 
rowt of men of lawe " towards London, in maintenance of " his most filthy 
quarrell he picked against religious persons."]: 

RICHARD POOR 

Had the Royal assent 22 July, 1228 ; died 15 Apr. 1237. 

* I have adopted almost the very words of Hutchinson, I can devise none more effective. 
But let us give the prelate his due. He redeemed the plate of the church which, with that 
of other fanes, was called into requisition for the king's ransom. Richard was not very scru- 
pulous about sacrilege, and the punishment attendant on that sin overtook him at Chaluz. 
Christe, Tui cheilitis praedo fit prseda Chalucis : 
(Ere brevi rejicis qui tulit cera crucis. 

+ Surtees. ± Stowe. 



(J8 SADBERGE CROSS. 

During his episcopacy, Peter de Brus, Lord of Skelton, whilst guardian of 
Hartness during the minority of the fifth Robert de Brus, opposed the pre- 
latical claim to the wreck of the sea, in his ward's lordship, and caused his 
servants to carry away a wrecked boat, for which they were fined 50*. by the 
Justices of Sadberge, and it seems that a burgess of Hartlepool named 
Gerard de Seton had on the occasion of the dispute been favourable to the 
prelate's claims. Peter, upon the fine being inflicted, sent one of his servants 
called Hugh de Haubgere and many others, who took the unfortunate bur- 
gess and lodged him in the dungeons of Skelton. The Bishop was not to be 
outdone. He pronounced all the pains and perils of excommunication by 
name against those who seized his supporter in the liberty between the Tyne 
and Tees, and compelled the mighty baron to disgorge his prey and allow 
poor Gerard to go quietly back to his own fire-side. And now came his 
revenge. 

For the capture &c. Peter de Brus was fined 201. by the Bishop's justices. 
However, William, Earl of Albemarle, and John de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, 
came to the Bishop at Derlyngton, where they remained three days for the 
express purpose of endeavouring to bring about a reconciliation ; and at their 
instance the Bishop relaxed in his demand of the fine, and the quarrel was 
brought to an amicable conclusion, upon condition that henceforth the bishop 
should have the wreck of the sea without contradiction. 

After this there was a dispute about another vessel wrecked, but the Bai- 
liffs of the Bishop seized it, and the Justices of Sadberge ordered that from 
its mast should be made a wooden cross as a memorial, which in"Bp. Kel- 
lawe's time, nearly a century afterwards, was yet standing in a place called 
Blakelawe, on the high road [alta strata] between Sadberge and Hetrepol, 
and from its yard was made a candlelabrum, upon which were placed the Wax 
and candles in the church of Sadberge.* 



" Three times tell an Ave-bead, 
And thrice a Paternoster say, 
Then kiss with me the holy reed, 
So shall we safely wend our way.' 



Sadbury Cross is now the name of a field between Sadberge and Long-New- 
ton, and a floating tradition states that in the time of the plague, all the 
trade of Sadberge was transacted at this place. There is a similar legend 
about Marske Cross in Cleveland, whither, it is said, the market of Guis- 
brough was removed, when the pestilence had well nigh depopulated the 
town. 

* Bp. Kellawe's register. 



NEWCASTLE BURGESSES. 69 

NICHOLAS DE FARNEHAM, 

Elected 11 June, 1237 ; resigned 8 April, 1240. Before Lis election there 
was a repetition of the disgusting cont est between the convent and the crown 
which had distinguished many former elections. Whilst the Monks were 
pressing for the confirmation of their Prior, Melsonby, whom they had 
elected, one of them exclaimed, " Sire, it is no great matter of favour that we 
ask ; " "And if ye want no favour/' retorted the angry Monarch, "none shall 
ye have." 

WALTER DE KIRKHAM. 

Elected 21 Apr.; consecrated 5 Dec. 1259 ; died 9 Aug. 1260. On the re- 
verse of his seal he is seen praying to St. Cuthbert in this unscriptural verse. 

SrtSuI Cutperte, recjium super ttytra per U. 

Bishop Cuthbert, may I reign above the skies by thee, 
which is very different from Bishop de Insula's harmless superscription 
lignum Cutfjfctrtt Sujnat Secreta t&ofcertt. 

In Kirkham's time, the Durham monks were for long interdicted for oppo- 
sing the Pope's exactions. " Oh, (sayeth Matthew Paris) if in that their 
tribulation they might have had fellows, and in their constant doings aiders, 
how happily had the Church of England triumphed over her tormentors and 
oppressors/'* 

1260. Henry III. was obliged this year to interfere with Kirkham's offi- 
cial, Roger de Siton, (master of Sherburn hospital). He had cited forty of 
the Burgesses of Newcastle to appear before him at Derlington on uncertain 
business, and with the Archdeacon of Northumberland, had made it a prac- 
tice to enforce them to appear at his courts and visitations, from day to day 
at distant places out of their borough, contrary to custom ; and to inquire 
into matters-)- against their will. From the expence and loss of time attend- 
ing this grievance, the merchants and artificers were so injured and worn out 
that some of them were actually reduced to the miserable necessity of beg- 
ging. The King, on application, issued two severe writs to the offenders and 
to the Bishop himself, commanding them at once to desist from their usur- 
pations against Ins crown and dignity. % Seyton or Siton however rose to 

* Hollinshed. 
t They considered themselves liable to sift causes of Matrimony and Testament only. 
$ Claus. 44 Hen. III., p. i. m. 12. Prynne ii. 826., a book extremely scarce, the greatest 
part of the impression being burnt in the Great Fire. Allan MSS. 



70 ANTHONY BEKE. 

be a Judge of the Common Pleas in 1268, and in 1274 he was bound with 
Hugh de Derlington, Prior of Durham, for the executors of Bishop Stichill 
to pay his debts to the King. 



ROBERT DE STICHILL, 

Elected 30 Sep., 1260 ; consecrated 13 Feb., 1261 ; died 4 Aug. 1274. 
His seneschal Geoffrey Eussell founded, in 1274, a chantry in the chapel of 
St. Mary Magdalene, at Cotum Amundeville upon Scyrn, par. Haughton, 
for a chaplain to pray for the souls of Tho. de Amundeville, Ralph his father, 
and Clare his mother. This chapel is utterly demolished, but the cemetery 
was used for interment long after the reformation, as appears by entries in 
Haughton register. 



ROBERT DE INSULA, (ENGLISH, HALIELAND) ALIAS, DE COQUINA, 



Elected 24 Sep., 1274 ; died June, 1283. The bishop was of very humble 
origin, which he never hid. To his mother he gave an honourable es- 
tablishment, and once when he went to see her, he asked "And how fares 
my sweet mother ? " " Never worse/' quoth she. "And what ails thee, or 
troubles thee ? hast thou not men, and women, and attendants sufficient ? " 
"Yea/' quoth she, "and more than enough; I say to one 'Go/ and he 
runs ; to another, 'Come hither, fellow/ and the varlet falls down on his 
knees ; and in short all things go on so abominably smooth, that my heart 
is bursting for something to spite me, and pick a quarrel withal/' 

1278. October. The charter of appropriation of the church at (Bishop) 
Middleham to Finchale Abbey by this bishop, is dated at Derlington. 



ANTHONY BEKE. 

Elected 9 July, 1283 ; consecrated 9 Jan. 1283 ; died 1310, March 3. In 
his time the court of Durham exhibited all the appendages of Royalty ; no- 
bles addressed the Palatine sovereign kneeling, and instead of menial ser- 
vants, knights waited in his presence chamber, and at his table, bareheaded 
and standing. He gave 40s.* for as many fresh herrings ; and hearing one 
say " this cloth is so dear that even Bishop Anthony would not venture to 

* The price even now would be exorbitant, but the reader must remember the much 
greater value of money at that time to arrive at the proper idea of the bishop's magnifi- 
cence. 40s. would perhaps now be about 80?. I 



EDWARD I. AT DARLINGTON. 71 

pay for it ;" he immediately ordered it to be bought and cut up into horse 
cloths.* 

In this bishop's episcopacy begins the series of prelatical coins of Durham, 
which have been fully described by Mark Noble, in his Dissertations on the 
subject, in which he was ably assisted by Geo. Allan, (as acknowledged in 
his preface) and had access to the cabinets of that gentleman, Mr. Barker, 
and John Scott Hylton, Esq., from which he took some of his specimens. 
Several other types might now be added. A very curious penny of Bishop 
Sherwood with S on Richard Ill's bust is given in the Pictorial History of 
England. Mr. M. A. Denham has a penny struck in the reign of Henry 
IV., V., or VI., on which is a roundel (not an annulet) and a mullet at the 
sides of the king's bust. My father had one of Hatfield, with the pastoral 
staff turned to the left ; and in my own possession is a curious one of Beau- 
mont, found at South Kilvington, near Thirsk, in which the mint mark is a 
lion rampant with two fleur de lis at one side of it only. Many more varie- 
ties might be raked up.-f- 

Surtees in one placed makes this bishop builder of the episcopal palace at 
Darlington. I am not even aware of any material alterations made by him 
in it, and the historian was possibly confounding him with the other proud 
prelate, Hugh Pudsey, for the moment. I believe however that Beke paled 
the enclosed park belonging to the manor. § 

Anthony was a staunch member of the church militant, but sometimes 
went further than his talents warranted. At the battle of Falkirk against 
the Scots, he received a severe rebuke from Lord Ralph Basset, of Drayton, 
" My Lord Bishop, you may go and say mass, which better becometh you, 
than to teach us what we have to do, for we will do that which belongeth to 
the order of war."|| 

Indeed Beke lived in a degree of splendour and military pomp inferior to 
none but his sovereign. When Edward came down to Newcastle in ] 296, 
with an army of 30,000 foot and 4000 heavy armed horsemen, he was ac- 
companied by the forces of the bishop consisting of 1000 foot and 500 horse. 
In the war with Scotland he had with him twenty-six standards of his own 
family or principality, and his ordinary suit comprised 140 knights.^[ St. 
Cuthbert's banner floated over this princely array, and a monk of Durham 
was^the standard-bearer. At the battle of Falkirk, Beke had in his compa- 
ny thirty-two banners.** 

1291. On the 16 April, Edward I. dated a summons at Derlyngton to 
fifty-seven of his military tenants of the northern comities, among whom are 
named John de Baliol, Robert de Brus, William de Vesey, Hugh de Lovall, 

* Graystones, c. 14. 
t Thomas Lincolne of Derlyngton, bondsman in 1490 for George Strayll, mintmaster of 
Bp. Sherwood. 

X Vol. i. p. cix. § Hutch, iii. 188. || Hoilinshed. 

If Graystanes. ** Scala Chronica. 



72 BEKE EXCOMMUNICATED AT DARLINGTON. 

the lady de Ros, Margaret de Ros, and William de Heron, who were to ac- 
company him with horse and arms, and all the service they owed him, at 
Norham, for six weeks, reckoning from Easter ; and the sheriffs of the north- 
ern counties received orders to give notice to all within their districts, who 
owed the king military service, to give the same attendance.* At the as- 
sembly convened at Norham, the bishop of Durham addressed the states of 
Scotland, informing them that Edward's purpose in coming to tha borders 
was to maintain the tranquillity of that kingdom and to do impartial justice 
to the claimants of the crown, in the character of supreme lord of Scotland, 
and that he gave them three weeks to deliberate on the matter. At the close 
of that time his title was recognised, and in 1292 he gave judgment for 
Baliol. 

While Beke was employed in the service of his sovereign, the Archbishop 
of York renewed the claims of his predecessors to jurisdiction over the bishop- 
rick. He sent to Durham his notary-public and clerks by the pope's autho- 
rity with official letters of citation, who were immediately placed in close 
durance by the bishop's officers, and Beke sent word that they were to be 
detained in defiance of all admonitions to enlarge them. The archbishop 
thundered a sentence of interdict against him, and issued his precept (May, 
1292) to the prior of Boulton to exco:nmunicate the bishop in his own 
churches of Alverton, Derlington, and other places, which the prior obeyed, 
and the case came before parliament. -f* The archbishop found himself in a 
much more awkward predicament than his predecessor, who fled from Dur- 
ham on a one-eared palfrey in an attempt at visitation ; for his high offences 
in presuming to enforce the release by ecclesiastical censures, instead of the 
king's process, and to excommunicate any person in the king's service or at- 
tending on his person, were adjudged by the parliament as worthy of being 
punished not only then but in all succeeding ages, by imprisonment of the 
ecclesiastics who should be guilty thereof, and by heavy fines and ransoms. 
Accordingly notwithstanding his pall, the archbishop found himself in the 
same sorry case as his officials, being committed to the Tower and obliged to 
find sureties for the payment of the large sum of four thousand marks to the 
king,* 

* Rymer, v. ii. fo. 525. 
f Placita Pari. 21. Edw. I. 1292. 
X In Bp. Beaumont's time, whenever the archbishop came to Allertonshire to visit, the 
bishop of Durham opposed him with an armed force. A compromise was come to in 1330 
when the church at Leak was appropriated for the maintenance of the bishop's table, with 
the reserve of an annual pension to himself, and another to the chapter of York. Leak 
Church stands lonely amidst green fields near a solitary Hall. A north Chapel is screened 
off by a rich parclose of the 14th century retaining its original paintings of birds and flow- 
ers, and in the south chapel ( to which is attached the Cross Keys farm of some £150 per 
annum, appropriated to the repair of Five Sisters window at York) are two magnificently 
carved stall ends dated 1519. On an ancient bell, said to come from Rievaulx, is the hum- 
ble legend, + O : PATER : AELREDE : GRENDALE : MISERI : MISERERE. "O 
Father, commiserate the miserable Aelred Grendale" 



ANTHONY BEKE. 7;> 

1293. An inquisition was taken touching the bishop's liberties before 
Hugh de Cressingham and his fellow justices, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, under 
the statute de quo warranto. The bishop and those holding liberties in his 
palatinate, had neglected to justify their title, on the statutory proclamation, 
on which default the liberties were seized into the king's hands, until they 
should answer. However the bishop having pleaded in parliament various 
matters, as well in error as otherwise, had full restitution. The record, a- 
mon<r other matters, states that he had three coroners in the three wards of 
Durham, and others at Sadberge, Bedlington, and Norham, and that he had 
fairs and markets at Durham, Derlington, and Norham. The full palatine 
powers are recapitulated. An inspeximus of this record was obtained in the 
time of bishop Langley, 1409.* 

1302. Mar. 5. Edward I. dates at Derlyngton an instrument addressed 
to the pope, appointing ambassadors and proctors to treat with him. Bu- 
rners Fcedera. 30 Edw. I. 

In the latter part of Edward's reign the Bishop fell sadly from his high 
estate. His barons led a dissention against him for compelling the people of 
the palatinate to go out of its limits in warfare, which as hali-werke folks 
(holding by the service of defending St. Cuthbert's patrimony) they were not 
bound to do, while the pope pronounced his suspension for not answering a 
charge of illegally interfering in the election of a prior. He went with a 
splendid parade to Rome in consequence, and came back with honour ; but a 
worse enemy was at home. Edward had long been jealous of his potent sub- 
ject, and seized the circumstance of his leaving England without licence, with 
other matters of offence, as an excuse for depriving him of his bishoprick. 
He was restored, and againf" deprived ; but Edward's own hour-glass was now 
run out, and in his successor's time the prelate emerged from disgrace with 
the distinguished dignities of Count palatine and Bishop of Durham, Earl of 
Sadberge, King of Man, (so created by the new king) and Patriarch of Je- 
rusalem (a title conferred by a new pope of 1305). He w r as the first bishop 
buried within the walls of the cathedral ; respect for St. Cuthbert having de- 
terred his predecessors from suffering a body to come there. But Beke re- 
sembled Cuthbert in no small degree, for his continence was so singular that 
he never looked a woman full in the face, and alone among the bishops pre- 
sent, dared to touch the remains of St. William of York on their translation, 
bold in his conscious chastity. He never took more than one sleep, saying 
that it did not become a man to turn himself in bed, and he was perpetually 
riding from one manor to another, or hunting or hawking. 

* Rymer, viii. 572* 
t The borough of Derlington is expressly mentioned in the bishop's petition to Parlia- 
ment 35 Edw. I., 1307, for the restoration of the temporalities in consequence of the incon- 
venience from his not being able to hold Court-Baron, &c. Referred to the king's Justices. 



74 THE RAID OF 

RICHARD KELLAWE, 

Elected 31 Mar., 1311 ; consecrated 20 May ; died 9 Oct., 1316. 

1316. In Edw. II/s wars with Scotland, the Scots often ravaged the 
Palatinate, and this year they entered the bishoprick by the mountainous 
passes of the Western frontier, and, avoiding Barnard-Castle, rolled like a 
destructive flood down the vales of the Wear and Tees, then united their 
forces, and wasted the country round Durham. The country was exhausted 
with miseries ; famine* and pestilence followed war, and the marches of the 
two kingdoms were reduced to a state of destitution which had not been felt 
since the days of the Norman tyrant. A new invasion followed the next year, 
and three seasons of sterility had carried distress to the highest pitch. All 
this had arisen from Bannockburn, for after that event Bruce and Douglas 
had ravaged the palatinate, exacted tribute, and retreated by the course of 
the Tees and Swale, leaving their marks of destruction behind them. Their 
way was plain in after years.-f- 

LEWIS BEAUMONT. 

Leave of election 19 Oct., 1317; consecrated 26 March, 1318. 

%ty ftafo of tf)t 33t£f)Qp. 

Bishop Lewis Beaumont was a near relation of the Queen of England, 
through whose interest he became Bishop of Durham. During the election 
the Earls of Lancaster, Hereford, and Pembroke waited within the church the 
event of the conclave ; Henry Beaumont, his brother, was also there. Some 
of the savage nobility threatened that if a monk were elected they would slap 
his shaven crown ! Notwithstanding, the electors preserved their purity and 
elected their aged prior, but the tears of Edward's queen prevailed on her 
wavering consort to refuse confirmation, and to write letters to the pope who 
obeyed the injunction, and bestowed the see on the heartless wretch for whom 
it was asked. Beaumont proposing to be installed on the feast of St. Cuth- 
bert, in September, 1317, began his progress to the north, attended by a 
splendid retinue, accompanied by his brother, Henry Beaumont, and two 
cardinals from Borne. At Darlington the bishop was met by a messenger 

* The descriptions of the famine are so horrible as to be scarcely credible. The poor 
stole fat dogs to eat. Those dogs became fat by feeding on the beasts and cattle that died- 
Some others in hidden places did mitigate their hunger with the flesh of their own children. 
The thieves that were in prison did pluck in pieces those that were newly brought in, and 
greedily devoured them half alive ! 

f Surtees. 



THE BISHOP. 75 

from Durham to warn him that the road was in possession of marauders, but 
the high rank and sacred dignity of Lewis and his companions seemed to place 
danger at defiance, and the friendly information was not only treated with 
great contempt, but the most improper motives were attributed to the Prior 
who sent it, the bishop and his brother saying that he wished to impede the 
consecration. They turned their backs on the convenient Hall of Darlington 
and wended on.* A few hours verified the prediction. At Rushyford a 
desperate band waited the arrival of the party, and the Bishop and his com- 
panions were speedily enveloped in a cloud of light horsemen under the com- 
mand of Gilbert Middleton, a Northumbrian gentleman. After rifling the 
whole party, Middleton restored the cardinals' horses, and suffered them to 
proceed. The Bishop, however, and his brother, were carried off' to Mitford 
Castle, -f- and thrown into prison. 

The capture of Bishop Beaumont, (says Surtees,) took place where between Woodham 
and Ferryhill, the road crosses a small sullen rivulet, in a low and sequestered spot, well 
calculated for surprize, and the prevention of escape. In Rymer's Fcedera, it is said to 
have taken place at Aile, (qu. Acle, i. e. Aycliffe,) where the passage over the Skerne 
would be equally convenient. 

The outlaws at first intended to spare the cardinals, and then- immediate attendants ; 
but when one after another cried out, " and I belong to the cardinals," they began to 
think they would have but little pay for their trouble, and, wise in their generation, 
they took the summary resolution of rifling the whole party. 

Hollinshed says, that Sir Gilbert Middleton "being offended y* Master Lewes Beamont 
was preferred unto the bishops sea of Durham, and Henrie Stanforde put from it, that 
was first elected, and after displaced by the King's sute made unto the Pope, tooke the 
sayd Lewes Beamont and his brother Henrie on Winglesdon Moore, nere unto Daring- 
ton, X leading the Bishop to Morpath, and his brother the Lorde Beaumont unto the 
Castell of Mitford, &c, and that the knight was so advaunced in pride therewith, that 
he proclamed himselfe Duke of Northumberlande, and joyning in friendshippe with 
Robert Bruce, cruelly destroyed the countie of Richmond." 

Gilbert de Middleton was a kinsman of Adam de Swinburne, sheriff of Northumber- 
land, whom the King had used harshly in some Border matters. Sharing in his 
wrong, he flew to arms, and assembling a large collection of desperate adventurers, took 
all the Northumberland castles, save Alnwick, Bamburgh, and Norham, and carried 
fire and terror through Cleveland. But the Loyalists assembling, his army began to 
forsake him, and he shut himself up in his castle of Mitford, when he was taken, through 
the treachery of his followers. On his trial, in 1318, the King gave sentence, that he 
should be dragged through the city of London to the gallows, and there alive hung up, 
and alive taken down, and beheaded : his head sent to the city of London : and as his 
heart had had the audacity to excogitate the horrible felonies he had done against God, 
the holy church, and his liege lord, they were ordered to be burnt under the gallows, 
his body to be quartered, and one part sent to Newcastle, another to York, the third to 

* Ad vadum Cirporum inter Feri et Wodom. Graystanes. 
*f- Hutchinson. But see Hollinshed. 
t " When they came neere unto the towne of Derlington, certayne robbers breaking out 
of a valley, Gilbert Middleton and Walter Selby beeing their captaynes, sodaynelie sette 
upon the familie of the Cardinalles and of Lodowike on Wigelseden Moore, &c. Stowe, who 
also states that the two Beaumonts were conveyed to different castles. Windlestone moor 
is meant. 



76 SCOTCH INCURSIONS. 

Bristol, and the fourth to Dover. Many forfeitures succeeded. The wars of Scotland 
had reduced Northumberland from prosperity to a desert, and the inhabitants were left 
without subsistence, save the plunder they could get in Scotland, and their ill-paid 
wages, as soldiers. When therefore, the sheriff, for representing their hardships, was 
disgraced by imprisonment, can it be wondered at that they should turn the weapons 
their weak and cruel lord had put into their hands, against himself, and liege subjects.* 
War will always turn against its originator, and, after all, poor Middleton has been 
overloaded with guilt. Of Sir Ralph Fitz Robert, who assumed the name of Greystock, 
says Dugdale, " he besieged Gilbert de Middleton, and divers others with him, in the 
castle of Mitford, for certain traitrous actions done by them, in Northumberland ; and 
that not long after, being in Gateshead, at breakfast, he was, through the contrivance of 
the same Gilbert and his party, there poisoned, 3rd July, an. 1323, 17 Edward II, and 
buried in the Abbey of Newminster, f near the high altar." The fact is, Middleton 
was executed five years before, in 1318, by the most undeniable evidence. His seal is 
engraved in Surtees, plate x. 22. It is attached to a receipt for money levied under a 
pretence of protecting the Palatinate at that period. 

The treasures of the church were lavished for Lewis's redemption, and the 
captives were liberated. Beaumont was consecrated at Westminster on the 
26th of March, 1318. The monks must have been shocked and surprised 
at the strange mixture of levity and ignorance which this new bishop exhibi- 
ted during the solemnity. Unable to pronounce the word metropolitice in 
the official instrument, he cried out in his native French, " Let us suppose it 
read/' Proceeding further, in amigmate stopped him altogether, when he 
exclaimed, " By St. Louis, it is not courteous to introduce such words." 
Lewis's conduct towards the convent to whose liberality he was so deeply in- 
debted,! was marked by a most capricious exercise of power. In vain the 
monks attempted to conciliate his favour by gifts or by attention. "You do 
nothing for me," said he, " nor will I do anything for you ; you may pray 
for my death, for whilst I live you shall have no favour from me." His pri- 
vate expenses were enormous. He died in September, 1333, and was buried 
at Durham, before the high altar, in the place where his gravestone has been 
lately found, consisting of two immense slabs weighing about six tons. It is 
believed that in point of magnitude and weight they have no equal in Eng- 
land ; consisting of two slabs of north country blue marble, and not charac- 
terized by the ancrinites which are found in the marble of the Wear near 
Stanhope. They were probably procured from the bed of the Tees near 
Barnard-Castle. 

1317. Sir Gosseline Deinvile and his brother Robert, with two hundred 
men in the habit of Friars, did many notable robberies, they spoiled the bishop 
of Durham's palaces, leaving nothing in them but bare walls, for the which 
they were after hanged at York. Stowe. 

1318. The Scots penetrated into Yorkshire, sacking Northallerton, Ripon, 
&c , and spread destruction over the whole country, and in 1369, while the 

* See Abbr. Placit. 332, and Hodgson's Northumberland. 

+ Near Morpeth. 

% Even the habits, plate, and jewels of the church had to be sold for the purpose, 



SCOTCH INCURSIONS. 77 

kino- was beseiging Berwick, came by the Western march and discomfited 
the English at Myton upon Swale. 

1321 . " After the Epiphanie, when the truce fayled betwixt the two realmes of Eng- 
land and Scotland, an army of Scots entred England, and came into the Bishoprike of 
Durham. The Earle of Murrey stayed at Darington, but James Dowglas and the Stew- 
ard of Scotland went forth to waste the country, the one towards Hartilpoole and Cleve- 
land, and the other towards Richmont : but they of the countie of Richmont (as before 
they had done) gave a great summe of money to save their countrie from inuasion. 

"The Scottes that time remayned within Englande by the space of fiftene dayes or more. 
The Knightes and Gentlemen of the north partes, came vnto the Earle of Lancaster that 
lay the same tyme at Pomfret, offering to goe foorth with him to giue the enimies bat- 
taile, if hee would assyst them : But the Earle seemed that he had no lust to fyght in 
defence of hys Prince, that sought to oppresse hym wrongfully, (as he took it) and 
therefore he dissembled the matter^ and so the Scots returned at their pleasure without 
encounter." Hollinshed. 

Before this the Pope had cursed Robert le Brus ; and he, James Douglas, 
and Thomas Randulf, Earl of Murray, were accursed throughout England 
every day at mass three times. This " put the king and the realme to great 
cost and charge/' and yet Eobert le Brus and co. cared not a whit for 
their cursings. 

1322. While the English forces were assembling at Newcastle, Robert 
Bruce passing them " came with a great power of Scottes into Yorkeshir, and 
king Edward being at York, and hering of this came to Blakehoumore with 
such pour as he could sodenly gather, and toke a hylle bi Bylaund Abbay 
for his fortresse, wher the king and his cumpany were discomfitid, and the 
Count of Richmont taken, and the Lord Sully, a baron of France, and many 
others ; and the King's self scarcely escapid to Rivalles Abbay." (Leland, 
Coll. I. 550., II. 474.) The royal plate, jewels, and privy seal were seized, 
and Ripon and Beverley plundered. A truce for thirteen years was concluded 
in 1323, and the Commissioners swore to its observance on the souls of Bruce 
and of Edward* Some write that on their return from the expedition of 
1322, the Scots spoiled Northallerton and the other towns on their route.-f- 

ROBERT DE GRAYSTANES, 

the Historian, was elected by the monks, and even consecrated on 14 Nov., 
] 333, but the temporalities were denied him and he was forced to succumb 
to the King's tutor, 

RICHARD DE BURY, 

who had been provided by the pope, and to whom the temporalities were re- 
stored, 7 Dec, 1333 ; died 1345. 

* Rymer, lii. 1001-2, 1021-2. f Fabian. 



78 SCOTCH INCURSIONS. 

Bury s love of books was so violent, that, as he says himself, it put him in 
a kind of rapture and made him neglect all other business. From his work 
Philobiblos, a treatise for the management of the splendid library, which he 
founded for the students at Oxford, he was called Philobiblos himself, a lover 
of books. He frequently corresponded with Petrarch. 

It is said of this munificent man that when he travelled from Durham to 
Newcastle, he gave twelve marks in charity, between Durham and Stockton 
eight marks, between Durham and Auckland five marks, and from Durham 
to Middleham 100s.* 

1327. Edward III. preparing to invade Scotland, the Scotch invaded 
England and penetrated as far as Stanhope Park. They sent ambassadors 
to Edward at York to treat for peace, but not succeeding, and observing that 
the English soldiers were " cloathed all in coates and hoodes embroidred with 
flowers and branches verye seemely, and used to nourishe theyr beardes," 
they affixed in derision this rhyme on the cathedral doors "towarde Stangate." 

Long beardes, hartelesse, 
Paynted hoodes, wytlesse, 
Gaye coates, gracelesse, 
Make Englande thriftlesse.t 

Edward, according to lord Hailes, left York on the tenth of July, halted at 
Topcliffe the eleventh and twelfth, and reached Durham on the thirteenth. 
According to Froissart, he left York in the morning and reached Durham at 
night, which is rather a forcing on reason of a forced march. The Scotch, 
to Edward's great annoyance, retreated without a battle, and he lay on the 
tenth of August at Durham again, disbanding at York on the fifteenth. 

"At this tyme Archibald Duglas toke great Prayes in the Bishopriche of 
Duresme, and encounterid with a band of Englisch Men at Darlington, and 
killid many of them Shortely after the Scottes by covine fledde clere away 
from Stanhop Park in the Night. Wherefore the yong king Edward wept 
tendrely, and returnid to York." (Scala Chronica in LelanoVs Coll.) 

Peace was concluded in 1328, and the heir of Scotland married to Ed- 
ward's sister Jane, called Joan of the Tower, and by the Scots Joan make 
peace. But clouds soon overspread the glowing prospect. 

1333. Apr. 1. Edward marched north and was again at Durham. He 
entered Scotland in aid of Edward Baliol, bore down all opposition, and clo- 
sed the campaign by the bloody victory of Halidon Hill. During his sojourn 
in Durham, his queen Philippa, after supping with the king in the priory, 
retired to rest. St. Cuthbert was no respecter of persons, and though the 
poor queen was not doomed to penance, like two women from Newcastle who 
" by instigation of the devil and attempt temerarious," attempted to see the 
saint's shrine, yet she was compelled by the monks to quit her husband's bed 

* Stowe. f Hollinshed, edit. 1577. 



EDWARD III. AT DARLINGTON. 79 

and make for the castle in all haste, clad only in her nether garments.* Ed- 
ward entered Scotland in aid of Edward Baliol, bore down all opposition, and 
closed the campaign by the bloody victory of Halidon H ill, at which Archi- 
bald Douglas, the governor of Scotland in the absence of king David, was 
slain, to the great consolation of Darlington, I trow. 

1336. June 18. King Edward III. granted a licence to John Gros, of 
Berwick, to assign property to Tynemouth Priory. This document is dated 
at Darlington.-)* Two days after we find him at Newcastle, on his road to 
Scotland to suppress the revolt against Baliol. All however was in vain, and 
the indomitable spirit of that country wearied Edward out. 

1338. Mar. 26. Letters Patent "pro Roberto de Artoys, de annuitate/' 
are dated by the king at Derlyngton. (Rymer's Fcedera.) This was in his 
northern journey connected with the seige of Dunbar. 

1342-3 Feb. 20. The bishop by common counsel and consent of 'the whole 
community of his liberty, having made composition for a truce with Scotland, 
by promising payment of one hundred and sixty marks, and 8/. 13s. 4<d. for 
expenses of ambassadors, &c, orders by precept of his day that John Ran- 
dolf should raise the proportion payable by Darlington Ward by taxation.^ 
On the sixth of February preceeding, Bury appointed Robert Brackenbury, 
grandfather of the celebrated lieutenant of the Tower, and thirty others to 
array all the defensible men in Darlington Ward to oppose the Scots. 

THOMAS HATFIELD. 

Elected 8 May, 1345 ; died 8 May, 1381. 

1346. In the king's great expedition to France this year, which ended 
in the glorious contest of Cressy, he was accompanied by Master William 
Killesby, clerk, who is named by Stowe as one of those leading a great army 
of soldiers well appointed, at the embarkment at Portsmouth. This church- 
man was more than once employed in warlike affairs. Edward was also 
accompanied in his luckless Flanders trip of 1340 by "two chapleynes that 
were his Secretaries, Sir William Killesby, and Sir Philip Weston ;" and 
again Hollinshed writes that his Secretary, Sir William Killesby, stirred him 
to take displeasure against the archbishop of Canterbury John Stratford, who 
was accused of preventing the king in his late campaign being furnished with 
money, by not looking after the collectors, and charging the king with op- 
pression while he had the rule of the realm in his hands under the king. 
The prelate was a man of spirit, excommunicated all who did violence to the 
clergy or their goods, a sentence which struck at Edward himself ; and wrote 
a letter to the king full of the highest claims for ecclesiastical superiority over 

* Raine's St Cuthbert, 37. 
f Pat. 9 Edw. III. p. 1. m. 7, vel 8. Tanner's Not. Mon. 
t Rot. Bury, sched. 13. 



80 THE THREE PREBENDARIES. 

kings. This was not a likely way of obtaining the pardon of Edward, who 
omitted his name in summoning parliament. Stratford appeared in full vest- 
ments, demanded entrance as the highest peer, and after two days rejection 
forced the king to give way. 

Killesby was in Brittany in 1345 in an army on behalf of the duke of that 
country, who however soon died, and he returned to England.* 

Both Killesby and Weston held prebendal stalls in Darlington church,-f- and 
appear to have been in high favour with the king. In 1343 royal letters is- 
sued, extending special protection for William de Kildesby of all his prefer- 
ments, he having, by the king's licence, gone into foreign parts, and " by 
reason of laudable obedience to us by the said William bestowed/' that king 
now extended his gracious favour to him, and prevented any man from inju- 
ring him in his possessions. These were of no small value, for besides the 
"prebend in the church of Derlyngton," he held five other prebends, one hos- 
pital, one church, one free-chapel, and six other chapels dependant.^ So 
much for the purity of the church at that time. 

Philip de Weston was admitted Dean of York in 1 347, both by the king's 
and archbishop's letters on his behalf. When he died is not known, but the 
next dean occurring is cardinal Talyrandos de Petagoricis, whom, Mr. Willis 
says, the pope thrust into the deanery, and outed Weston. The same au- 
thor adds that he enjoyed it till 1366, when he died. (Drakes Eboracum.) 

The collegiate church must have been well stocked with these king-caressed 
ecclesiastics, who doubtless looked after their spiritual charges in very slight 
fashion, for, in 1 343, Weston was made a commissioner to treat with the 
Flemish in company with Master John Waweyn, who as Canon of Derlyng- 
ton learned in both§ laws," often occurs with John de Montgomery knt. in 
public instruments in 1336, being called by the king his " trusty proctors 
and ambassadors/' 1 1 

As to the titles of Sir and Master, given to the three prebendaries, take a note from 
Percy's Reliques : — 

" The title of Sir was not formerly peculiar to knights, it was given to Priests, and 
sometimes to very inferior personages. 

Dr. Johnson thinks this title was applied to such as had taken the degree of A.B. in 
the universities, who are still styled Domini, "Sirs," to distinguish them from undergrad- 
uates, who have no prefix, and from Masters of Arts, who are styled Magistri, 'Masters.* " 

General usage in early times gave the title of Domnus to an ecclesiastical superior, re- 
serving Dominus for our Lord. Caelestem Dominum, terrestrem dicito domnum. 

1346. During the king's invasion of France, David of Scotland rushed 
down on our fair vales with an immense army. In this campaign he "ap^ 
pointed to preserve foure tounes onely from burning, to witte, Hexham, Cor- 
bridge, Darington, and Durham, to the ende he might in them lay up such 

* Hollinshed. 

f Allan's Collectanea Dunelmensia. £ Rymer's Foedera, sub 17 Edw. III. 

§ Civil and canon. || Rymer's Foedera. 



CROSSES. 81 

store of vitayles, as he should provide abrode in the Countrey, wherewith to 
susteyne his army during the time of his abyding in those parties/' * I do 
not however trace him further South than the entrancing seat of Beaupaire. 
The end of this border raid came to pass at Eedhills or Neville's Cross, near 
Durham on October 1 7, where, by the assistance of St. Cuthbert's Corporax 
cloth, the Scots were totally routed, their king taken, and the Black Eood of 
Scotland,-)- miraculously delivered to one of his predecessors, transported to 
the church of Durham. Neville's Cross had existed on the spot long before, 
but a new and very fair cross of stone was now erected by Lord Ralph Neville 
"one of the most excellent and chief persons" at the battle. In 16S9, "in 
the night time, the same was broken down, and defaced by some lewd, and 
contemptuous wicked persons, thereto encouraged (as it seemed) by some who 
loved Christ the worse for the Cross sake."j As for the previous cross on 
the spot, take the following hint from Raine. § 

"A cross was the usual boundary or march stone between Lord and Lord, and most 
especially where three Lords might have met and shaken hands with each other from 
their respective estates. The Nevilles were owners of Brancepeth, and in all probability 
the old cross might have taken its name from the fact, that it stood upon the precise 
spot at which a man who was bound to my Lord Neville, of Brancepeth, would quit the 
great and much frequented ecclesiastical way between Durham and Bearpark. The 
cross of the Nevilles, I dare say the very saltire of their shield, would remind a young 
Lumley, or a Hilton, of the place to which he was going, and would prompt him to spur 
on Ms steed till he had reached the side of the Prior of Durham, in whose suite he had 
ascended the hill, and wish him solace at Beaurepaire, gently bidding him farewell." 

When cross occurs in names of fields, I believe it almost always has refer- 
ence to ancient metes and bounds. Sandhutton Cross, at the junction of the 
townships of Thirsk and Sandhutton, still stands. There are boundary crosses 
at Borrowby in the same country on the Cross-Keys farm ; and here we have 
Cross-Woods, the first two fields in Blackwell township, boundering Glassen- 
sikes, and Lamb-Cross Hill,\\ the field at this side of Prescott's stile, where a 
cross would be useful, either as a bound between it and the territory of Nor- 

* Hollinshed. 

f There is no man that could tell of what matter this crosse was made, whether of me- 
tall, stone, or of tree. Hollinshed- 

X The Rites, &c, of the church of Durham, collected out of ancient MSS. about the time 
of the suppression, published by J. Davies, of Kidwelly, 1672. An extremely scarce little 
12mo. of 164 pp. A degree of peculiarity attaches to it, in having two dedications to the 
same man, James Mickleton, esq. dated respectively Sep. 4 and Oct. 4, 1671, (I speak only 
from my own copy ) in differing language, but to the same effect. Mickleton is men- 
tioned as collector of the subject matter, and is well known as an earnest Durham anti- 
quary. He died in 1695, leaving his MSS. for four years to Sir Robert Eden, Bart., Abra- 
ham Hilton, gent-, and John Spearman, and afterwards as to certain of his MSS. to the same 
persons, or their nominee, to be printed. 

§ St. Cuthbert, 106. 

!! Does this refer to a cross with the Agnus-Dei fairly sculptured thereon, or to the soft 
sward on which the lambkins capered % 

M 



82 THE NEVILLES. 

dykes, or if we take the North side of the close, as between Blackwell and 
Darlington townships. Then there is Croce-flatt or Crosse-flatt, an estate of 
the very Nevilles just spoken of, and situate in Clay Row, which was sold by 
Henry, father of the last Earl of Westmoreland, to the Stories, from whom 
it passed through the Collings and Crosbys, to the Allans.* It was a cus- 
tom to erect crosses where churches first burst on the view. Crosse-flatt and 
Lamb-cross-Hill would both be very proper places for such mementos, where 
the traveller from Yarm or from Richmond, on the brow from whence the 
tapering spire of the collegiate church was delight to the eye, would pray and 
praise. 

In the conveyance from Francis Storye, of Mortham, (Morton) co. Durham, gent., 
and Henry his son and heir, of Harleshawe, co. York, gent., to Francis Foster for 120/. 
of Crosse flatt, sixteen acres, [called one close in 7 James I.] it is described as "a parcell 
of the lait landes of Henry, lait Earle of Westmerland, and by him sold to Cuthberte 
Storye, lait father of the said Frauncis and laid fourth by partition of the said townshipp 
of Darlington, in leue of apart of the said Earle's landes," and in the feoffment accom- 
panying, as bounded by W. Four Riggs, belonging to the Glebe of Darlington ; S. The 
King's street, (i. e. the road to Yarm.) + In 1731 it contained twenty-six acres, seven 
perches, and the whole North side of the Bank Top colony is built upon it. It is in 
the township of Bondgate, but is freehold. 

The head of the family was Gilbert de Neville, an admiralj in the fleet of 
the Conqueror, in 1066. His grandson Geoffrey married Emma, daughter 
and heiress of Bertram de Bulmer, and obtained Brancepeth and Sheriff- 
Hutton lordships. His son Henry dying 1227, s. p. his daughter Isabel 
succeeded to the estates, and marrying Robert Fitz-Melred, lord of Raby, 
her son Geoffrey assumed the Neville surname, and from him all the later 
Nevilles sprung. 

Geoffrey was the father of Robert, whose son, Robert the younger, died 
in his father's life-time. He had married Mary, daughter and eventually 
sole heiress of the great Baron Ranulph Fitz-Ribald, of Middleham, but the 
union was hapless. Mary of Middleham, said to have been fair and gentle, 
wept over the early grave of her husband, who died the victim of a savage 
revenge ;§ she survived on her own inheritance, and dying in 1320, lies bu- 
ried at Coverham Abbey, founded by her ancestors. Her only son Ralph 
Neville succeeded his grandfather as lord of Raby, and was an indolent man, 
sometimes showing gleams of gallant bearing, but generally fonder of the so- 
ciety of the canons of Coverham than of living in his paternal homes. It is 
to be hoped that the character of the monks is not to be judged by the deeds 
of their devotee, for Kellawe obliged him, when long past the period of his 

* Included in the Grange estates sold. 
+ Archives penes R. H. Allan, esq. 
4: The old Neville coat was "Or, fretty Gu. on a canton Sa. an ancient ship." 
§ w Robertus iste de Neville membra, manibns irati viri cujusdam cujus uxorem inge- 
nuam violaverat, apud Craven perdidit." 



THE NEVILLE . 83 

youth, to do penance for a deplorable delinquency * Mary Fitz-Ranulph 
deeming her son none of the most competent to manage this world's wealth, 
settled her manors of Middleham and Coverdale on her grandson Robert, 
C^c peacock of t\)t fiortfj. 

He, in superbiis, " for despite who might rule most/' assaulted and slew 
Richard Fitz-Marmaduke, son of the boiled baron,-)- on Elvet bridge, as he 
was riding to open the County Courts, but, next year, in leading a disorderly 
band to plunder the Scottish march, was slain himself at Bewyck Park, 
leaving a brother Ralph to gain the glories of Neville's Cross. 



In 1651, the manor of Winston was held of Raby by one broad arrow feathered with 
peacock feathers. At Middleham in a house opposite the castle, a sculpture of a pheasant 
or peacock is built in. Above the North door of Staindrop church also, is a sculpture 
far more like a bird than a lion, as it has been designated. It is therefore probable that 
the proud by-name of Robert might originate in a badge, like Richard III.'s " bloody 
boar of York." 

The reader must not imagine that the phrase " I'll nevel thee," or "give thee a nevel- 
ling" scattered over the north, has any relation to this family, uproarious as some of 
its members were. Nevel simply means to beat violently with the fist or nief. The 
word is still used. 



" She'll deal her N eaves about her, I hear tell 
She's timerous to please, and varra Fell, 
First thing that comes to hand she'll let it flee, 
Neans yable to abide her Crueltie ; 
She'll Nawpe and Nevel them without a cause." 

A Yorkshire Dialogue. 1697. 



And it is classical English 



Give me your nief ; Monsieur Mustard-seed ! 

Midsummer Night's Dream. 



In 1290,;j: or in Hugh de Derlyngton's previous priorate, according to 
Dugdale, had arisen a dispute between Ralph Neville and the prior of Dur- 
ham. The Nevilles, in respect of the honour of Raby, annually offered a stag, 
and Ralph claimed that he and his company should be feasted by the prior 
on the occasion. Imagination easily pictures the woe of the brethren, how the 
prior would explain that the noble's numerous train would sadly reduce both 
stag and usual larder, and how a portly brother would solemnly demonstrate, 

* Citacio Domini Ranulfi de Neville, publicata tarn in ecclesia de Stayndrop, quam in 
manerio suo de Raby xvii Octr. anno 3 pontif. pro incestu et adulteriis cum Anastasia, filia 
sua, uxore Domini Walteri de Fauconberg. 

f See page 56. 
X Graystanes. 



84 THE NEVILLES. 

like Toby Heyrick* of later days, the impossibility of the fat spinning round. 
The upshot was that the Prior declined to accept the stag when laid at the 
shrine of the abstemious Cuthbert. Long were the faces of the hungry re- 
tainers, bitter were their words, and most awful were their nevellings of the 
sonsy monks at the altar. Up rose the courage of the latter, and down 
came the huge candles they were carrying on the offenders, with such 
good will that they beat a retreat, leaving the stag. The succeeding Ralph 
(of Neville's cross) claimed in 1331 the privilege with an aggravation, for he 
wanted not only a dinner, but to stop all day and demolish a breakfast next 
morning. However on the prior's remonstrances and submission for that 
once, the Neville brought but few with him, more for an honour than a 
burden, and shortly after dinner left, saying, " What doth a breakfast signify 
to me ? Nothing/' The stag was brought in with winding of horns, and a 
very old rhyme, the lament for Robert, father of Mary of Middleham's spouse, 
runs : 

Wltl, qiua Sal tfjtr ijorne* fclati, 
Hab &<)& t|)t tfaj) ? 
flmt i€ i)t Hfiit anfc lies lato 
OTag trnmt to btafo tljatm ag.t 



The hero of the fight left a son John, Lord Neville, who inherited all his 
father's talents, and filled the highest offices of the state.J His two brothers 
stand in curious juxtaposition— one was archbishop of York, the other a chief 
leader of the Lollards ! He died in 1388, being seized of a messuage and 
nine acres at Blackwell held by fealty only, and of a messuage in Cockerton, 
and four oxgangs.§ This John Neville and John Fairfax, clerk, acquired 
moreover the manor of Oxenhale from John, son of Roger de Belgrave, be- 
fore 1378, which, under Hatfield's survey, was held by Lord Neville in dren- 
gage by the old service of Boldon Buke, and the estate descended to the last 
Earl. 

His son and successor, Ralph, raised his family honours to the highest 
pitch of magnificence, and by his second marriage with Joan, legitimized 
daughter of John of Gaunt, became brother-in-law to his sovereign. Engaged 
as he was in all the events of the day, his character stands forth in unmista- 
kable colours. Staunch in loyalty, he used means none the most scrupulous. 
He prevented his former associate Northumberland joining his son Hotspur 

* Vicar Toby of Gainford, who actually once wrote a note declining to partake of a 
haunch of venison, apologising, as a reason, that he understood four were invited : and as 
Mr.— was one of them, he was sure there would not he fat for more than two ! 
f Graystanes. See farther in Hutchinson, ii. 84. 
% Licence to castellate Raby, 1379. It was the age of such works. Witness Hylton and 
Lumley. Darlington is distinctly seen from Raby Tower. 

§ Inq. p. m. John Nevyll, Chivaler, 1 Skirlaw. 



THE NEVILLES. 85 

at the fight of Shrewsbury, and in the second insurrection in the north he 
dispersed the insurgents on Shipton Moor, by an artifice of more dubious 
character, sending their leaders, whom he had paltered with, to the scaffold. 
Ralph received his title from the deserted king in 1397, when "the Lord 
of Westmerland, named Dan Baby Nevell," * was made Earl of Westmore- 
land. With Henry he was in highest favour, sometimes putting in an old 
rhyme to assist his arguments, such as 



Wtyo So bull jFraiuKC famine, must fottif) Jkotlanfc fprSt begtime.t 

He died fall of years and honours in 1426, being buried under a magnificent 
tomb of alabaster, in his own collegiate church of Staindrop, 

From the earl's first bed sprung the Earls of Westmoreland, from his se- 
cond, the princely line of Warwick and of Salisbury, (whose blood mingled 
with that of Plantagenet ), the lords of Fauconberg, Latimer,! and Aber- 
gavenny^ and Bishop Robert Neville of Durham. 

The Earl died seized of the Manors of Oxenale, val. 20/., and Blakwell ; one messuage 
and three oxgangs in Cockerton, val. 13s. 4d. ; seven messuages, twelve cottages, twen- 
ty-four burgages, four oxgangs, six acres of land, and six acres of meadow in Derling- 
ton, and one close and one Dove-cote, val. 405. 

A tenement in Cockerton (then in possession of the Garths) is described as NemVs 
house in 1683. Surtees. 

Pardon from Bp. Nevill (a° 5) to his nephew Ralph (2nd earl) for lands at Darling- 
ton, formerly acquired without license, by Ralph, Earl of Westmoreland, deceased, from 
Sir Thomas Gray, knt. 

Robert the adulterer and Robert the Peacock had well nigh passed out of 
remembrance, and the fate attendant upon the lords of Neville, of seeing their 
first-born die in their lifetime, seemed to slumber, but it suddenly revived, and 
for three generations the earldom never passed from tather to son. John, 

* Stowe. Dan is the exact and proper rendering of Dominus. Hollinshed prints Dauraby, 
and Leland calls him Da Baby. Hutch, iii. 264. 

t Hollinshed. 

t The last Neville, lord Latimer, in a direct line, John, who died in 1577, is buried under 
a gallant effigy in Well Church, near Masham, the table on which it rests being covered 
with incised names. These, from the dignity of the persons thus commemorating them- 
selves, seem to be marks of honour paid to the deceased rather than mere emblems of a 
foolish passion for defacing monuments with initials and shoemarks ; and to have been 
done at much the same time, probably by a party of gentlemen visiting the "church 
together. Here are some :— "Charles Fairfax — Marmaduke Daxby : July : 9 : 1618 : 
— Th : Daxble. 1618. gratias.deo. — Will. Lvmley — Io : Iertox — Wiliam : Wandes- 
ford — John : Cole : 1618 : — Ro : Fraxcklix. 1618." Some appear to be facsimiles of 
signatures. Here too rests Dorothy Vere, predecessor of Queen Catherine Parr in the bed 
of the lord Latimer ; and here is a slab which might vie with Bp. Beaumont's, 12 ft. 1 in. 
by 4 ft- 8 in., formerly covered by brass. 

i The brazen shield of Richard, son of the first lord Abergavenny, torn from his tomb 
and affixed to the font at Staindrop, still retains the deep gules of the Neville quartering. 



8(5 THE NEVILLES. 

the great earl's gallant son, who discomfited fifty Frenchmen with thirteen 
English, died in his father s lifetime, leaving a son, Ralph, to succeed to the 
earldom and a diminished estate ; for Middleham, and many a fair lordship 
were rent away for the descendants of Joan of Lancaster. His only son, 
John, died without issue, and he himself in 1484, being memorialized by 
wooden effigies of himself and wife at Brancepeth, on which the Lancastrian 
collar of S S, has given way to the white rose and sun with the silver boar 
of Richard. His nephew, Ralph, was third earl, whose only son, Ralph, 
perished like his predecessors in early prime, and was buried in the southern 
chapel of Brancepeth, "whereupon the erle took much thoght and dyed at 
Horneby Castle, in Richmontshire, and there is buryed in the paroche 
chirche." The lost heir had left a son, Ralph, who became fourth earl, and 
died in 1549, leaving Henry, the fifth earl, who died in 1563, and was 
buried in Staindrop Church, under a handsome but debased wooden altar 
tomb. He was succeeded by his son Charles, of whom, alas ! I have mourn- 
ful things to relate anon. 

Perhaps this most ancient and historic race had been somewhat shorn of its glory be- 
fore the fifth earl sold Croce flatt. The second earl had granted a burgage in le Wel- 
rawe (situated between two burgages which he retained) to Thomas Bichborne, who 
rendered 35. 4d. per ann. to him in respect of it, before 23 Henry VI.* 

The fifth Earl also sold lands in Blackwell, in 1563, to Edward Perkinson, of Beau- 
mond Hill. The race was in rapid decline, and during the Rising of the North the queen 
instructed Sussex to state that " one of the earles has already so spoyled his owne patri- 
monie, as he will not let to spoile and consume all other men's that he may cume by/' 

Raskelf (pronounced Rascal) seems to have been a sort of appendage for younger 
scions of the Nevilles, 

Pascal Cofou imtl) rogutef) people 

% bursten Mlt antr foootten djurcf) Steeple. 

Popular Rhyme. 

And what a steeple ! Four hugh trunks of oak run up the corners from top to bottom. 
It is an addition to the original structure, the old west window forming the Tower arch. 
On one of the bells is the odd legend, (S. F.) R. W. REMEMBER THY END AND 
FLIE R. D. 1593— GOD SAVE THIS NA VEL A. H. (S.F.), and in a window is a 
decayed effigy, in stained glass, of a Neville (14th cent.) resting on a pillow marked with 
the saltire. 

At Heighington church are three unnoticed but very interesting bells. t The two 
first are dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, as fancied securities against tempests. 
The inscriptions are in ornamented gothic capitals, and read thus : — First, " t PURGA- 
TOS. NOS. IUNGITOS. AULE. CELL PAULE." Second, " t TU. PETRE. PUL- 
SATUS. PERUERSOS. MIT1GA. FLATUS." The third has a figure of the virgin 

* Archives penes R. H. Allan, esq. 

f Var. a drunken parson. 

t On Bedale bell is a curious rhyming legend : 

«+ IOU : EGO : CUM : FIAM : CRUCE : CUSTOS : LAUDO : MARIAM : 

DIGNA : DEI : LAUDE : MATER : DIGNISSIMA : GAUDE." 



HATFIELD'S SURVEY. 87 

and child, well executed ; and the arms of Neville and (three annulets), with this 

rhyming invocation to the virgin, in black letter, " + O. mater, dia. me. sana. bona, 
maria." 

1348. The Bishop issued his mandate to Rob. de Brackenbury and others, 
to levy on Darlington Ward its proportion of four hundred marks, with the 
consent of the nobles, headmen, and all the commonalty of his royal liberty of 
Durham, in compensation of the expense he had sustained in his preparations 
for its defence.* The instrument is remarkable, it issues with the assent of 
a collective legislative body, in the same language as the king's mandates, 
issued with the assent of parliament, (magnates proceres et tota communitas.) 

Circa 1380. A general survey of the bishop's lands was made, after the 
fashion of Boldon Buke, called Hatfield's Survey, but in addition to the de- 
mesne and villenage lands, containing a record of the freeholders paying 
rents. 

By this survey Darlington comprised, 

Thirty-nine free tenants, who hold fifty-seven parcels of ground and messuages by 
divers several rents, payable at the four usual terms. 

The tenants hold amongst them certain lands, viz. : Calfhouse, Swatergate, Eles- 
bankes, Sadbergate, Cockyrtongate, Bathelgate, Duresmgate, Prestgate, and Huraworth- 
gate, by ancient custom, as it is said, from which the lord receives nothing, notwith- 
standing that these are parcels of the lord's ancient and proper waste. 

Fourteen tenants hold ten oxgangs of the demesne under twenty shillings rent per 
oxgang. 

There is a plot of ground in the occupation of the Vicar of Derlyngton, worth, as it 
is said, twelve-pence per annum. 

There is a place within the enclosure of the manor, with a curtilage on which a house 
is built, in which the Janitor dwells, worth per ann. as is said, three shillings and four- 
pence. 

Ralph of Eseby holds two messuages and two oxgangs, and pays for each oxgang 
five shillings, [the services exactly as those of the tenants in villenage under Boldon 
Book ;] in all ten shillings. 

Thirteen other bond- tenants hold twenty messuages and thirty oxgangs on the same 
terms, [of the services of the bonds nothing is said here, quiapostea in Villa de Cokirton] 

The tenants jointly hold the common forge ; four-pence rent at the four terms. 

For toll of ale from the tenants in villenage, twelve-pence ; for toll of ale from the 
burgesses of Derlyngton, two shillings. 

William de Hoton and John de Teesdale hold the whole fishery by metes and bounds 
in the field, and pay two shillings. 

The same tenants pay for the office of Punder fifty-three shillings and four-pence, to 
which office appertain nine acres of land and meadow, viz. : in Besfield, three acres ; in 
Dodmersfield, half-an-acre : in the Westfield, half-an-acre, within the verge (virgultum) 
of the manor, half-an-acre of meadow at the end of Ellyngmedowe, half-an-acre in 
Polinpole, one acre of meadow, and one acre of arable. 

For the toll of the market place and market of Derlyngton, with the profits of the 
Mills of Derlyngton, Blakwell and Holughton and the suit of the tenants of Queshowe, 
the bakehouse, the assise of bread and ale, the profits of the Borough Court with the 
Dye-house, there is rendered four score and ten pounds.t 

* Randal's MSS. 
t Allan. 941. Surtees. 



88 HATFIELD'S SURVEY. 

The aforesaid bond tenants among them render yearly at Christmas thirty-five hens ; 
the same tenants render yearly for Wodsilver* at the aforesaid festival two shillings. 

Twenty-seven tenants hold various messuages, tenements, cottages, with divers acres 
under the name of Exchequer-lands. 

All the tenants of Exchequer-land perform among them the services of four cottagers, 
viz.: in making hayricks, and they carry fruit, and work at the mill whenever it is de- 
clared what cottagers ought to do those services. 

f Ingelram Gentill and his partners hold the borough of Derlyngton with the profits 
of the mills and the Dye-house, and other profits pertaining to the borough, rendering 
yearly four score and thirteen pounds and six shillings. 

Oxenhale. Lord de Neville J holds the manor of Oxenhall rendering yearly at the 
four usual terms sixty shillings. Also for services at Martinmas 6s. 8c?. viz. for the 
ploughing of four acres of land, and he harrows four acres of land sown with the Bishop's 
seed, and tills four portions in autumn, viz. three with all his men and his whole family 
except the housewife, and the fourth with one man from every house except his own 
proper house, and keeps a dog and horse for a quarter of a year, and carries wine with 
a wain of four oxen, and performs Outeward in the Bishopric when imposed, as much 
as pertains to the fourth part of one Drenge, rendering yearly at the terms aforesaid, 
in all 665. 8c?. 

Blakwell. Free-tenants. John Middleton holds by right of his wife, one messuage, 
and five oxgangs of land by charter, formerly of John de Blakwell, by knight's service 
and multure (one sixteenth) et cooperabit molas supra le LoutJire, rendering 235. 8c?. 

The same John holds a certain parcel of tillage called Gromball, containing 16 acres 
3 roods, rendering 

The same John holds there two parcels of tillage, called Lynholm and Ellestantoftes 
containing 16 acres by estimation, rendering 

The same John holds one tenement called le Castelhill, with the herbage of Bathley, 
containing 4 acres of meadow and pasture, rendering 

The same John holds one place built on, and half an oxgang of land, rendering 

The same John holds one toft with one croft, containing half a rood of land, rendering 
yearly at the usual terms 12c?. 

The same John holds one toft, formerly William de Oxenhall's, with one croft, con- 
taining one acre, rendering by charter 2c?. 

William Strygate, chaplain, holds one acre at Ellestontoft by knight's service, render- 
ing 4c?. 

Emma Morrell holds three acres at Spykbyt by knight's service, rendering 14c?. 

Peter Thomesson, in right of his wife, holds half-an-acre and half a rood, lying in 
Oxenhalflat, rendering 16c?. 

Four other tenants hold certain lands by knight's service, and pay... 

Bond-lands. John Verty holds one oxgang, rendering yearly at the four usual terms 
and is bound to mow the whole meadow of the Bishop, and make and lead the hay, and 
to have a corrody once, and to enclose the verge and court, and to do the works which 
he is accustomed to do at the mill, and to lead one wain {qaadrig!) of Wodlade, and to 
carry loads in the journies of the Bishop ; and besides three loads yearly, to fetch wine^ 
herrings, and salt ; rendering yearly at the four usual terms 55. 

* Money paid for the liberty of cutting and gathering wood ? 

f This is evidently an addition to the original survey. Surtees. 

% His ancestor, Fitz-Melred, under Boldon Buke held a carucate at Quosshur (Whessoe) 

by similar services. Surtees remarks that the involutions of the feudal systems frequently 

present the spectacle of a gallant noble holding by a servile tenure under a much meaner 

lord than the Bishop of Durham. 



HATFIELD'S SURVEY. 89 

Nineteen other tenants hold twenty-four messuages, and thirty-nine oxgangs and a 
half, on the same terms. The same bond-tenants hold amongst them five oxgangs, 
which was once bond-land, rendering at the Feast of the Purification of the blessed Mary 
as it is said, ten quarters of wheat, and five quarters of barley, and fifteen of oats. [For 
the services of the bond lands nothing is said, quiapostea in villa de Cokerton.] 

Cottagers. John Pothow and Peter Thomesson hold one cottage, make hay-ricks, 
carry fruit and work at the mill, rendering yearly at the four usual terms 21c?. : four 
other cottages are held by doing the same services, and rendering yearly a rent of 

Exchequer-lands. Twenty-five tenants hold certain tofts and crofts, tenements and 
lands by the name of Exchequer Lands, free of all service {sine operibus), only paying 
divers annual rents. 

All the tenants of the Exchequer answer for services and cottages as above, till it be 
seen on which tenements those services should be charged. 

The bond-tenants hold an acre of land called Punderland, rendering yearly at the 
same terms 2s. 6c?. 

The same bond-tenants pay for the office of Punder yearly 10s. 

The same tenants pay at the festival of the Nativity of St. John for Wodlades lis. 9d. 

The same bond-tenants hold among them the toll of ale, rendering yearly 3s. 

hold among them a pasture called Rathel, rendering yearly 

10s. 8d. 

All the tenants of the vill hold a tenement, once Roger Stapilton's, rendering yearly 8c?. 

From the township for an increment of one toft, yearly, at the usual terms, I8d. 

From the aforesaid vill for a pasture called le Longdraght, a yearly rent at the usual 
terms of 16s. 

From the aforesaid vill for Wodsilver at Martinmas, one hen ; at Christmas, 2s., 
thirty-two hens. 

There is there a water-mill, and it is in the hands of the tenants of the vill of Der- 
lyngton with the farm rent. 

Cokirton. Free-Tenants. John Morton holds a messuage and four oxgangs, by 
knight's service, and 20s., and one parcel, once of Margaret Ralph, rendering yearly 12c?. 

Geoffrey Kellaw holds a messuage and oxgang, and renders one hen and a farthing at 
Michaelmas. 

John Dowe holds one tenement, which he acquired from John Morton, 12c?. 

Cottagers. John Dow holds a cottage and garden containing an acre of meadow-land ; 
rendering 3s. 4c?. yearly, and shall drive cattle (fugavit animaliaj, to the lord's manor-- 
house when required ; and he cleans the houses within the manor-place of Derlyngton 
against the coming of the lord or his officers. Three others hold cottages on the same 
terms. 

All the tenants of the cottages make hay-ricks, carry fruit, and work at the mill. 

Bond-lands. John Cornforth holds two messuages and two oxgangs, rendering 
yearly for each oxgang 5s. at the four usual terms, and is bound to mow the whole mea- 
dow of the Bishop, and to make hay and lead it, and to have a corrody once, and to en- 
close the verge and court, and to lead a wain of Wodlades, and to carry loads in the 
Bishop's journies, and three loads yearly besides, bringing wine, herrings and salt ; 
and to do the works he is accustomed to do at the mill, rendering at the terms aforesaid 
10s. 

Eighteen other bond-tenants hold thirty-seven oxgangs and twenty -nine messuages by 
the same conditions. 

The same bond-tenants render yearly at the Feast of St. John for Wodlades lls.lOc?. 

The same tenants for the office of Punder, yearly, 10s. 

The same tenants for the toll of ale there, yearly, 2s. 

All the tenants there are bound to answer for the rent of a plot near the gate, (juxta 
portamj formerly in the tenure of Stephen the Punder. 

K 



90 ROYAL CONFIRMATIONS OF 

The same tenants for an increment of a croft, and a croft formerly Ralph Fitz-Ralph's 
2s. 

Bondservices. From the bond-services of Bondgate, Blakwell, and Cockirton, viz., 
for five score and thirteen oxgangs for each 156?. and more, in the whole 2s. Ad. at 
Michaelmas, as is said, whence a total sum of. 

Bond-lands at Penyferme. Eleven tenants hold eight oxgangs, rendering 18*. 9d. an 
oxgang, at the four usual terms. 

Exchequer-lands. Thirteen tenants hold nine tenements and other parcels under a 
yearly rent. 

All the tenants of Exchequer-land, except those who are charged as above with ser- 
vices, perform amongst them such services as pertain to two cottages, until it be shown 
from whom those individual services are due. 

Little Haughton occurs thus, 

Free-tenants. William Walworth, chivaler, a messuage and oxgang 6s. 

Bond-tenants. William Donkan pays, inter alia, one hen to the Punder of Deiiyng- 
ton. Six others hold six messuages and oxgangs by the same rents and services. 

Demesne-lands. Hugh de Westwyk, chaplain, holds half the manor of Haughton 
called Rewmond, for £6 135. 8d. The other half is in the hands of the Bishop, and the 
Bailiff of Darlington reckons for it in his account. The said manor contains eight ca- 
rucates and each carucate is six score acres, worth a groat (! ) an acre, and nine acres of 
meadow in HaleJceld-holm, which used to be sold (i. e. the hay ?) for 46s. 8d, are in the 
hands of the Bailiff of Derlington, who accounts for them. 



JOHN FORDHAM 

Was provided by the pope, 9 Sep., 1 381. He encouraged Richard II. in all 
his indiscretions, and was by coercion of the barons, banished by the king in 
1388, from this see, to acquire that of Ely. 

1384 Dec. 16. King Richard II. by charter, reciting that the bishop 
and his predecessors held the manor and wapentake of Sadberge, and the 
manors and towns of Derlyngton, &c, &c, confirms the possession of them 
and all the privileges of the liberty of the county palatine. 

WALTER SKIRLAW 

Was appointed by the pope the same day that Fordham was removed. He 
died in 1405. 

He was said to be the son of a sieve-maker, to which origin his arms were 
supposed to allude ; Argent, six wands in true-love proper. He built a 
strong tower to Howden church, whence cometh the rhyme 

33M)op &fenrlato intrtefc foa£ goott to |jfe people, 

fie fouttt tljem a gcfjool^fpuft an & f)dgl)ta«fc t\)t steeple. 

Surtees says that his arms are on the front of Hylton castle, and remarks 



DARLINGTON TO THE SEE. <H 

u The mitres of Oosin and of Crewe (in spite of Pope's sarcasm) deservedly 
continue to decorate our churches, but what must be the merits of that future 
Prelate whose bearings shall grace the halls and gateways of our lay Rectors?" 
I doubt the fact. The saltire of Neville in an adjoining shield is moulded in 
the same style (a mannerism of the age), and I imagine the plain cross so 
ornamented is simply that of Vesci. The mouldings do not interlace at all. 

CARDINAL THOMAS LANGLEY 

Elected 7 May, 1406 ; died 20 Nov., 1437. 

1407. By the interest the cardinal possessed at court (being chancellor) 
he obtained a royal charter from Henry IV., confirming all the liberties and 
privileges granted to the bishops by the several potentates, from the estab- 
lishment of the see. Darlington manor is mentioned in the inspeximus of 
Richard II/s charter. 

ROBERT NEVILLE 

Son of the great earl by Joan Beaufort, translated from Salisbury 1437, died 
9 July, 1457. His doings for Darlington will be noticed under the Colle- 
giate Church. 

LAWRENCE BOOTH 

Consecrated Sep., 1457 ; translated to York 1476. He was a staunch 
Lancastrian, having been chaplain to Queen Margaret, but after the chivalry 
of the red rose had died die Dominica in ramis Palmarum* at Towton, and 
a short disgrace and suspension from his temporalities, he adopted the flower 
of pallid hue. 

WILLIAM DUDLEY 

Elected Sep., 1476 ; died Nov., 1483 ; after seeing the blood of Edward IV. 
set aside, and Richard, duke of Gloucester, one of his justices in the first year 
of his pontificate, placed in their seat. 

JOHN SHERWOOD 

Elected Jan., 1484-5 ; died 12 Jan., 1493. He walked on one hand of 
* So in the Inquisitions of the fallen. The battle was fought on Palm Sunday. 



92 RICHARD III.'s HOUSE 

Richard at his coronation, forgetful of many favours conferred by the late 
monarch, and for some reason had not the temporalities restored till within 
sixteen days of that bloody battle in which the crown was torn from the 
house of Plantagenet and placed on the brow of Tudor. Richard loved the 
stately inheritance of Anne of Warwick, and abode at times in the BalioFs 
walls. It would be convenient to him to have a resting-place at the spot 
where he would leave the high road, and wander along the Tees, to that fa- 
voured seat ; and this leads me to the following Inquisition. 

An Inquisition upon the death of Richard, late King of England. An Inquisition in- 
dented, taken at Auckland in the county of Durham, on Thursday, the 15th day of June 
in the 2nd year of the pontificate of John, &c, hefore Thomas Fenton, esq., eschaetor of 
the said Bishop in the county of Durham, hy virtue of his office, upon the oaths of Roger 
Conyers, knt., Thomas Lumley, esq., John Eshe, esq., Robert Dalton, esq., Thomas Sur- 
tays, esq., Thomas Lambton, esq., Alexander Fetherstonhalgh, esq., Thomas Posseley 
esq., John Claxton, esq., Robert Pollerd, esq., Robert Walker, Thomas Delvas, John 
Southorn, Thomas Coundon, jurors : who upon their oath say, 

That Richard, late King of England, de facto but not dejure, at a Parliament holden 

at Westminster the day of in the year of the reign of King Henry VII., was 

attainted of high treason* and by the authority of the same Parliament it was ordered 
and appointed that the said Richard, late King of England, and all others who have any 
estate in lands or tenements in fee simple, or in fee tail, to the use of him, Richard late 
King of England, shall forfeit them by authority of Parliament aforesaid ; and that the 
said Richard, late King of England, was so seized in possession as of fee on the day on 
which he died, of one capital messuage, forty acres of land and thirty acres of land with 
their appurtenances in Derlyngton, late Henry Elstofle's, which are held of the said 
Lord Bishop in chief by military service, and by service of rendering him the Lord 
Bishop yearly, at his Exchequer at Durham, at the usual terms there 21s. 8d., and of 
doing suit in the county of Durham de quindena in quindenam, and are worth yearly in 
all proceeds beyond reprizes 1005. And the said Jurors say that the said Richard, late 
King of England, did not hold other or more lands or tenements in possession or re- 
version, nor any other person for his use in the county df Durham.f And that he died 
the 18thJ day of August last past. In witness whereof the Jurors aforesaid have to this 
Inquisition interchangeably placed their seals the day and place aforesaid.§ 

At this distance of time I am unable to trace this property of the last of 
the Plantagenets, nor do I know the history of Kings house, in right of which 
Edward Whitehead stood constable of Bondgate in 1696.|| The old rhyme 



* A high flight of Parliament (saith Buck, the apologetic historian of Richard) to attaint 
a King of High Treason. 

f Barnard Castle was not considered within the palatinate at this period, and did not 
escheat to the bishop. 

X The battle was however fought on the 22nd. 
§ The original latin is given in Surtees, i. clxvi. 

|| A Booke of remembrance, or an inrolment of memorable things belonging to Bondgate 
in Darlington. The constables and other officers were chosen in respect of lands, alternate- 
ly liable to furnish them. The book has belonged to the greeves, and contains lists of 
officers, beginning 1638-9. It will be hereafter referred to as Bondgate Booh. The follow- 
ing information is valuable :— " 30 acres is an axgang at Sedgefield, 16 acres at Hurworth, 
and 20 in Yorkeshire." 



AT DARLINGTON. 



93 



$ackc of jHorffolIt* be not too boVtit 

dFor Btfeon tljp master tsi boucrljte mH Softie 

would at first thought lead us to Dickon-kists, (which with Town-end fields and 
Thorney Beck closes constituted an estate of the balival family of Barnes) as 
possibly memorializing Richard, but I believe that they took their name from 
the family of Dickons, descendants of Ralph Dykone, Rector of Haughton- 
le-Skerne in 15... 

Sic transit gloria mundi :— the stream of Lethe has flowed on and washed 
away all traditions connected with Richard in the North. The very site of 
his capital messuage and land at Darlington is unknown, and at Middleham 
itself the Nevilles are seldom named. The memory of their glory has passed 
away like a morning cloud, save with the few who shew a cherished match in 
their pedigree, and claim to be descended of their blood. The great Plan- 
tagenet is forgotten in that place he loved so well and cherished so truly. 
Gentle Lady Anne is never named in what was once her heritage. But of 
their son, the flower that perished so timelessly one slight memento yet re- 
mains in a small ruinous apartment of the castle named 

€f)e Sfruice'tf Chamber. 




ffl^apto: ffi. ®i)e Cttfjora. 



" Thou rememberest 
Since once 1 sat upon a promontory, 
And heard a mermaid, on a dolphin's back 
Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath, 
That the rude sea grew civil at her song ; 
And certain stars shot madly from their spheres, 
To hear the sea-maid's musick." 

Midsummer Night's Dream. 



The White Rose had ceased to bloom, but its fragrance was remembered. 
The Hawthorn never gained the affections of the people of the North Countrie, 
who during the whole period of the Tudor dynasty remained in an almost 
perpetual commotion. 

Richard was greatly beloved in the North. He seems to have had the 
welfare of his neighbours at heart, and his foundation of the colleges of 
Middleham and Barnard-Castle give but little countenance to the ogre-like 
character generally attributed to him. When the people of Thirsk rose 
against his exactions, and slew the earl of Northumberland in attempting to 
enforce them, it was affirmed " that the Northern men bare against this earl 
continual grudge ever since the death of King Richard, whom they entirely 
favoured/'* This feeling died out, but another soon rose. There was no 
part of the north where the " first pale and struggling ray of the reformation 
broke with more unwelcome lustre/' and Sadler stated in 1569 that " there 
be not in all this countrey, ten gentillmen that do favour and allowe of her 
majesties procedings in the cause of religion." 

The state of religion had been low indeed. The farce of St. Cuthbert's 
incorruptibility and power had been implicitly believed, and the relic lists of 
the Church of Durham catalogued with the most ludicrous items. 

According to an enumeration of 1383, the monks possessed a pix of crystal, contain- 
ing the milk of St. Mary the Virgin ; portions of the sepulchre and chemise of St. Mary 
the Virgin, and part of the rock upon which St. Mary the Mother of our Lord mulgebat 
lac mum ; a portion of the bones of St. Alkmund, of St. Exuperius the martyr, of the 
Annunciation of St. Mar?/, &c. &c. in a bag of cloth of gold ; apiece of the breast of St. 
Gracian the Virgin and Martyr, sc. inter mamillas ; two claws of a Griffin ; three 
Griffin's eggs ;t Manna from the Virgin Mary's grave ; a portion of the bread the Lord 
blessed ; a piece of the identical tree under which were the three angels with Abraham ; 
a stone, said to be bread turned into stone ; portion of the stone with which St. Stephen 
was stoned ; a piece of wood of the prison of St. John the Baptist ; a piece of the throne 

* Hollinshed. 
f St. Cuthbert's followers were fond of such things. In the British Museum is a horn 
inscribed f Gryphi Vngvis Divo Cvthberto Dvnelmensi sacer. This Griffin's claw 
is in fact the horn of the Egyptian Ibex ! 



THE REFORMATION. 95 

where Jesus sat with his disciples ; a piece of the stone upon which the Lord wrote when 
his disciples questioned him of the law ; and a piece of the twelve thrones of the 

APOSTLES ! * 

But though they thus enslaved the populace, the Durham ecclesiastics them- 
selves had assumed a tone of independence, and had manfully resisted the 
exactions of the pope, who had"l)esides the British senate to contend with, an 
alarming spirit oi opposition having risen which threatened a total exclusion 
of his supremacy. His fears were lightened by Edward III/s application to 
him for the election of his secretary, Hatfield, to the see of Durham in appo- 
sition to his own acts against Romish interference ; the request was as balm 
to his wounded spirit, and he piously exclaimed " Truly, if the king of Eng- 
land had made interest for an ass he should have been gratified/' 

In a temporal point of view, the Reformation worked badly enough. 
Poverty pervaded the kingdom, poor-laws crept in, and estates increased by 
sacrilege fell to pieces. The profligate waste attendant on the new move- 
ment alarmed and disgusted the old nobility. The distress of the poor on 
the dissolution of monasteries, the evident unconcern of government for pro- 
per spiritual arrangements, the hurt done to the pride of the magnates by the 
abolition of many long cherished privileges of the palatinate, and the piety of 
the last popish bishop, had deep effect on the haly-werke folks. Tunstall's 
zeal was amusing. He bought up Tindal's New Testament to burn in 
Cheapside. Tindal was delighted, as the edition was faulty, and he too poor 
as yet to issue" a new one. The next year he sent an amended cargo from 
Antwerp, with the laughable information that the greatest encouragement he 
had had was from Tunstall. Our prelate however became afterwards very 
moderate in his opinions and acts, submitting to changes which he could not 
assent to. He was deprivedfin Edward VI.'s reign, restored in Mary's, and 
again deprived in Elizabeth's, ending his blameless life in privacy. His dio- 
cese had escaped persecution, through his refusal to bring any man's blood 
upon his head ; and the disgrace of shedding blood in it for religion was re- 
served for the pontificate of a protestant bishop and the reign of a protestant 
queen.^The ancient faith all the while " lay like lees at the bottom of men's 
hearts ; and if the vessel was ever so little stirred came to the top." The 
arrival of the Queen of Scots also created universal interest and added to the 
motives inspiring thejliscontented spirits appearing in the annals to which I 
now return. 

1487. -Lambert Simnel's rebellion took place, in which the Plantagenet 
bias of the people seems apparent. Henry personally conducted a severe in- 
quisition." in the northern parts, and by virtue of a royal writ, the bishop 
Sherwood (himself in no great favour) issued a commission to enquire de 

* See"the whole list in llaine's St. Cutkbert. 
+ Because Dudley was entranced with his revenues. The bishoprick was dissolved and 
the usual fate of sacrilege.followed. Edward died in his youthful bloom, and Dudley per- 
ighed on the scaffold. 



96 THE PRINCESS MARGARET'S 

insurrectionibus infra regiam libertatem Dunelm. He died in 1493 at Eome. 
His errand was perhaps rebellious, for his effects were sequestered by the 
crown. 

RICHARD FOX, 

Translated from Bath and Wells, Dec. 1494 ; translated to Winchester, 
Oct. 1502. He was a warrior and councillor for Henry VII. to whom he 
was executor, but his fortunes waned in the succeeding reign before the as- 
piring Wolsey. 

1502. Margaret, eldest daughter of king Henry VII., passed through 
Darlington. In Leland's Collectanea is an account styled " The Fyancelles 
of Margaret, eldest daughter of King Henry VII., to James [IV.], king of 
Scotland : together with her departure from England, journey into Scotland, 
her reception and marriage there, and the great feasts held on that account. 
Written by John Younge, Somerset Herald, who attended the Princess on 
her journey/' This worthy says, 

" The xixth day of the said monneth (July), the quene departed from Allerton, in 
fayr aray and noble companyd, and Syr James Straungwysch, knight, scheryffe for the 
said lordschyp, for the said bishop, mett hyr welle aecompanyd. 

After sche drew to Darneton to hyr bed, and three mylle from the said place cam to 
hyr the Lord Lomley and hys son, aecompanyd of many gentylmen and others welle 
apoynted, ther folks arayed with their liveray and well monted, to the nombre of xxiiij. 
horsys. 

" At the village of Nesham she was mett by Syr Rawf Bowes and Syr William Aylton 
[Hylton], welle apoynted, with a fayr company arayed in their liverays, to the nombre 
of xl. horsys, well apoynted and well horst. 

" In the saide place of Nesham was the saide quene receyved with the abbasse and 
religyouses, with the crosse without the gatt, and the bischop of Durham gaffe hyr the 
sayd crosse for to kisse. At two mylle ny to the said towne of Darneton, mett the 
quene, Syr William Boummer, scheryffe of the lordship of Durham. In company with 
hym was Syr William Ewers, and many other folks of honor of that contre, in fayr or- 
der, well apoynted of liverays and horst ; to the nombre of six score horsys. 

" By the said company was sche conveyed to Darnton. And at the gatt of the church 
of the said place, war revested the vicayr and folks of the church, wer doing as sche had 
done on the dayes before, sche was led to the manayer of the said byschop of Durham 
for that nyght. 

" The xxth day of the said monneth the quene departed from Darnton in fayr aray, 
and with the precedente company went to the town of Durham," &c. The account 
says that at Durham "sche was well cheryscht, and hyr costs borne by the said bischop." 

Fox, who more than once occurs as prime mover in courtly pageants, had 
taken part in the ceremonies at York, A great feast was given to the prin- 
cess at Durham, on the 23rd July, the anniversary of his installation. 

It is related of Margaret's affianced that having taken arms against his 
father, he imposed on himself the penance of continually wearing an iron 



VISIT TO DARLINGTON. 97 

chain about his waist. Some amusingly pompous stanzas on the marriage 
occur in Evans's Ballads : — 

fair, fairest of every fair, 
Princess most pleasant and preclare, 
The lustiest alive that be, 
Welcome to Scotland to be queen. 

Young tender plant of pulchritude, 
Descended of imperial blood, 
Fresh fragrant flower of fairhood sheen, 
Welcome to Scotland to be queen. 

Sweet lusty imp of beauty clear, 
Most mighty king's daughter dear, 
Born of a princess most serene, 
Welcome of Scotland to be queen. 

Welcome the rose both red and white, 
Welcome the flower of our delight, 
Our spirit rejoicing from the spleen, 
Welcome of Scotland to be queen. 

The princess's mode of travelling may interest. She rode on a "faire pal- 
frey, but after her was conveyed by two footmen, one varey riche litere,* 
borne by two faire coursers varey nobly drest, in wich litere the sayd qwene 
was borne in the intryng of the good townes, or otherways to her good play- 
sur." 

WILLIAM SEVER, 

Translated from Carlisle, Oct., 1502 ; died 1505. 

CARDINAL CHRISTOPHER BAINBRIGG, 

A native of Hilton Beacon, near Appleby, received restitution Nov., 1507 ; 
translated to York 1508. He was poisoned at Rome in 1514, by his house- 
steward whom he had struck in a fit of passion. "A servant will not be cor- 
rected by words." Prov. xxix. 19. "A Bishop must be no striker/' 1 Tim. 
iii. 3. So Fuller pleads both for and against him. 

THOMAS RUTHALL, 

Nominated Apr. 1509 ; died in London Feb. 1522-3, of chagrin, having de- 

* When Queene Elizabethe came to the Crowne 
A Coach in England then was scarcely knowne : 
Then 'twas as rare to see one, as to spye 
A tradesman that had never told a lye. 

Taylor, the Water Poet. 



98 THE PILGRIMAGE 

livered, by mistake, the inventory of his own private fortune (instead of a 
survey he had compiled of the royal revenues) to Wolsey, who with malicious 
satisfaction placed the record before his sovereign, observing that though he 
would be disappointed of the expected information, he would know where to 
apply for assistance. 

CARDINAL THOMAS WOLSEY, 

the cause of RuthalFs death, succeeded, and sat on the Durham throne from 
April, 1523, to April, 1529, never once visiting his diocese. I once more 
light upon the name of 

CUTHBERT TUNSTALL, 

Translated from London 1529 

Leland says he was born at Hacforth, in Richmontshire, and was " base sunne to 
Tunstal, as I hard, by one of the Coniers daughters." Some doubt is thrown upon the 
statement* but even if true, his mother was not the only erring maid of the gentle blood 
of Conyers. Agnes Conyers was excommunicated Feb. 18, and published 12 March, 
1608-9.t On May 24, 1609, " the infant of Agnes Conyers illegitimately begotten" was 
buried at Darlington. 

Reginald Tunstall, chaplain, was presented by his namesake (perhaps relative), to the 
prebend of Newton, p. m. Tho. Hall, cler. in 1540. 

1536. The people of the north, from causes already hinted at, readily 
joined company with many a noble and many a clerk, and rose in the Pil- 
grimage of Grace under Robert Aske,| but listening to offers, appointed 
deputies to treat with Henry. In answer to their demand that the liberty 
of the church of Durham should have old customs by act of parliament, he 
plainly said that " they were brutes and inexpert folks/' and gave a general 
pardon, which amused and dispersed them. But the ejected clergy induced 
the leaders again to rise in arms in 1537, when they were taken and put to 
death, the abbots of Fountains, Jervaux, and Eievaulx, and the prior of 
Bridlington being in the number. Lady Buhner was burned for rebellion. 
The first families of the bishopric had been concerned, the heir of Lumley 

* See Surtees. Leland was however a contemporary. 

. *f* Darlington par. reg. fly-leaf. 
X Forth shall come a worme, an Aslce with one eye, 
He shall be the chiefe of the mainye : 
He shall gather of chivalrie a full faire flocke 
Half capon and half cocke, 
The chicken shall the capon slay 
And after that shall be no May. 
These rhymes, Wilfred Holme says, were recited in the host as an ambiguous prophecy 
of their expedition. They may be part of the absurd, but ancient prophecies of Merlin, 
revived in every popular movement. Was Aske really defective in sight ? and does the 
last line allude to some intended destruction of all successors to the hawthorn badge of the 
seventh Henry % 



OF GRACE. 99 

was executed, and the general fear and tykett feeling of the good folks of 
Darlington is most graphically drawn in the following curious letter from 
Sir Ralph Sadler, dated at Newcastle 28 Jan., 1537-8.* 

Forasmuch as I wrote unto your lordeship from Yorke, the success of my jorney 
thither, it may please you also, semblably, to hear what state I have founde the countrey 
in betwixt Yorke and Newcastell, which, as I wrote unto your lordeship in my last 
lettres, was reported unto me at Yorke to be very wilde. Nevertheles, to declare the 
treweth as farre as I coulde perceyve throughout all the bishopricke as I rode, I saw the 
people to be in very good quyetnes ; and none of the honest sorte, that had any thinge 
to lose, desiring the contrary, except such as having nothing of their owne, wolde be 
glad to have such a worlde as whereby they might have opportunytye to robbe and 
spoyle them that have ; and that generally is the opynyon of all men in these parts ; 
for undoubtedly the honest sorte of men throughout all this contrey do gretely desyre 
quyttness ; and yet there hath ben som stirrying in the bishopricke ; and, not passing 
ii or hi dayes before my comyng, musters made in Cliveland uppon the hilles, which 
was by means of dyvers billes and scrowes sett uppon posts and church- dores thoroughly 
out the bishopricke, and tost and scatered abrode in the contrey by some sedyteous per- 
sons, which do nothing else but go up and downe to devise mischief and devision ; and 
by such meanes it was put into the hedds of the people, that my Lord of Norff. cam 
down with a grete armye and power to do execucion, and to hang and draw from Don- 
caster to Berwyke, in all places northwarde, notwithstanding the kinges pardon ; and 
so the people throughout all the northe be brought in worse case then the Lincoln- 
shire men : which tales and ymaginacions beyng so sowen amongst the people, did in 
such wyse styrre and incense them, that surely, as I am informed, had not Mr. 
Bowes com home when he did, it had ben very lyke to have made a new insurrection. 
Undoubtedly he hath well don his parte, as I have lerned of divers, in stayeing off the 
contrey throughout the hole bishopricke ; and now they have taken such order, that 
whatsoever falsehods or reports, billes, lettres, or scrowes, shall be sowen abrode, they 
shal gyve no light credit unto them, but rather do their devoyres to apprehende the de- 
vysors and reporters of the same, and so the people be in good staye and quyetness in 
all places of the bishopricke ; and fully determined, as Mr Bowes told me, to make no 
more assemblies, but to rest uppon my Lord of Norff. comyng. Syr, I saw no likeli- 
hood of any lyghtnes or desyre of devision amongst the people throughout the hole 
bishopricke, which is a gret countrey, savyng in one towne, which is called Daryngton; 
and there I noted and perceyved the people to be very fykell. My chance was to come 
Into the towne in the evenyng about vi of the clocke, or somewhat afore ; and when I 
alyghted at my lodging, I think there was not passing iii or iiii persons standing about 
the inne doore, assuring your lordeshipp, that I was scant ascended up a payr of steres 
into my chaumber, but there was about xxx or xl persons assembled in the strete afore 
my chamber wyndows, with clubbs and batts, and there they cam roonyng out of all 
quarters of the strete, and stode together on a plompe [i.e. in a body], whispering and 
rownding together ; whereuppon I called unto me myn host, who seemed to be an honest 
man, and I asked him, what the people meant to assemble so together ? he answered 
me, That when they saw or harde of any comying out of the south, they used always so 
to gather togither to here newes. I told him it was ill suffered of them that were the 
heddes of the toune to let them make such unlawfull assemblies together in the strete ; 
and that it was a very ill example, and harde to judge what inconveniencys might fol- 
lowe, or what attemptats they wold enterprise when such a nomber of light felowes 
were assembled. He answered me by his faith, that the hedds of the towne could not 

* Cotton MSS. Caligula ii. 344. Sadler, ii. 597. 



100 SIR RALPH SADLER. 

rule them, ne durst, for their lyves, speke any fowle words to them ; and, quod he, ye 
shall see that I shall cause them to scatter abrode, and every man to go to his home 
by and by. Mary, quod I, if ye do well, ye shoulde set som of them by the heles. No, 
quod he, God defende ; for so myght we bryng a thousand in our toppes within an 
hower ; but, quod he, ye shall see me order them well ynough with fayre wordes ; and 
thereuppon he went to the rowte in the strete, as they stode whispering togither, and, 
with his cappe in his hands, prayed them to leve their whispering, and every man to go 
home ; and there come they all about him, and asked him who I was 1 whense I cam ? 
and whither I wold 1 Myn hoste told them, that I was the Kyng's servante, and going 
from his highnes in ambassade into Scotland : Whereunto one of them replyed, and 
sayed, That could not be true, for the Kyng of Scotts was in Fraunce. Nevertheles, in 
fine, myn host so pacyfyed them, that every man went his way ; but mocheado he had, 
as he told me, to persuade them to beleve that I went into Scotland ; and they all, with 
one voyce, asked, When my Lorde of Norff. wold com, and with what company ? And 
so myn host cam to me, as a messenger from them, to know the trewth ; and I sent 
them worde that he wolde be at Danncaster at Candlemas even ; and that he brought no 
more with him but his owne household servants ; which pleased them wonderous well ; 
and so every man departed, and I harde no more of them. I assure your lordship the 
people be very tykell, and, methinketh, in a marvellous straunge case and perplexity ; 
for they stare and loke for things, and fayne wolde have they cannot tell what. So as, 
in my poure opynyon, it requyreth agret diligence and circumspection for the edefyeing 
and establishing of them ; which aperteyning to the office of a prynce and kyng, it be- 
cometh not me to talke of ; not doubting but our most gracious Prynce and Sovereign 
Lorde, with the mature advysement of his Most Honourable Counsaile, will so provyde 
for the same as shall apperteyne. 

This letter was written on proceeding on a reconnoitreing embassy to 
Scotland during the absence of James V. in France. Surtees remarks that 
Sir Rafe was both stout and sage, yet mine host proved the wiser man. The 
duke of Norfolk had acted with great rigour in the executions after the se- 
cond outbreak, till the king's free pardon closed the butchery. 

These impolitic outbreaks hastened the destruction of the religious houses, 
and it was thought expedient to curtail the dangerous powers of the counts 
palatine of Durham. The bishop was deprived of his choicest regalia ; pre- 
vented from screening any offenders by a clause taking pardons of treasons 
and felonies away from him ; various processes were to be thenceforth in the 
king's name, and his justices acquired jurisdiction in the franchise. The 
glory was departed. Henceforth I shall cease my bishop headings, for the 
shadow of royalty alone remained. The Durham house of peers occurs no 
more. 

1538. About this \ear that famous antiquary John Leland began his 
peregrinations, under a commission from Henry VIII., to bring our monu- 
ments " out of deadly darkness to lively light/' The fruits of this enterprize, 
which lasted some seven years, he presented to the king as a new year's gift, 
in the thirty-seventh year of his reign. 

Almost every page of this delightful old author evinces his deep appreciation of beauty. 
The " exceding pleasaunt ground" of Sockburn a little beneath whose " maner place is 
a great were for fisch" did not escape his penetrating eye. He had crossed the "trajec- 



SIR RALPH SADLER. 101 

tus over Tese" there, and come to Neasham, " and then a v. miles to Darington by pure 
good come. Darington Bridge of stone is, as I remember, of three arches, it is the best 
market town in the Bisshoprick, saving Duresme. There is an exceeding long and fair 
altare stone de vario tnarmore, hoc est, nigro albis maculis distincto, at the high altare in 
the collegiate paroche church of Darington. There is a Dene longging to this college 

and prebendaries. The Bisshop of Duresme hath a praty palace in this toune. 

From Darlington to Acheland eight good miles by resonable good corne and pasture." 
His descriptions are always to the point, nothing could give a better idea of magnificence 
than the statement that " Raby is the largest castel of logginges in al the North Cuntery," 
though its grandeur had already declined under the late Nevilles; "the great Chaumber 
was exceding large, but now it is fals rofid and devided into two or three partes" and a 
petigre in coloured glass had given way to plain. He recounts " the Quikke market of 
Darlington standing betwixt Teese and Were." " Hugo de Puteaco, as the Dene of 
Duresme tolde me, made the howse that the Byshops of Duresme have at Darlengton," 
and from an old book at Durham he found that Stire gave with St. Cuthbert, Darington, 
two carucates in Lumley. 

On May 5, 1 543, Sir Ralph Sadler writes to the council that the earl of 
Angus prayed him " to write to your grace, that it might please the same to 
send so much money to Berwick to Mr. Shelley, to be paid to mine appoint- 
ment, as should be sufficient to pay his wages and his brother's ; for that, he 
thinketh, it would be noted, if he should send his servant so far within Eng- 
land as to Darlington for money, whereof might grow some bruit and sus- 
picion, which he would be glad to avoid." This was during Sir Ralph's em- 
bassy, to arrange the marriage between the young queen of Scots and prince 
Edward, when Angus was in the pay of England. 

On the 30 Oct., 1543, Sadler writes that lord Somervail having been ap- 
pointed to repair to Henry VIII. with the minds of the lords of Scotland, 
Sir George Douglas (brother to Angus), had said to him " that he will ac- 
company the said lord Somervail to Darlington, because himself will speak 
with my lord of Suffolk, both touching such things as the said lord Somer- 
vail hath in charge, as also for the Border matters, wherein he complaineth 
much of the damage done daily to such as," he saith, " be the king's majes- 
ty's friends." In the correspondence between the council and Sir Ralph 
Evers orders are given not to spare the friends of Sir George Douglas in the 
incursions, as he was suspected to be a false friend. Sir Ralph's next dis- 
patch, Nov. 6, shows that Somervail had been taken by the opposite party : 
" But sir George Douglas hath sent me word, 'that he will forthwith repair 
to Darlington to my lord of Suffolk, to advertise him of all such things as the 
said lord Somervail had in charge, to the intent he may signify the same to 
the king's highness.'" On the eighth he says "I am advised sir George 
Douglas was at Berwick on Tuesday last ; and therefore I think, or this 
time, he is with your lordships." Sir George had been in England before, 
he and the earl of Glencairn promised in May " they will ride it in eight 
days," i. e., to London, and he was again dispatched in June to the king. 
The French interest completely outweighed Henry's, had it not, Mary's 



102 THE BRACKENBURIES. 

flames might have never burned, Elizabeth's axe never been lifted. Lady 
Jane have pursued her classics in comfort, and Mary of Scotland never lost 
her head. 

1553. " John Darington, yeoman of the close carre of the roobes," had 
four yards of black cloth at Edward VI/s funeral. Archceologia. 

Another local name occurs, that of Wm. Brack enburye, gent., rider, surveyor of the 
stable. A gleam of interest is thrown over the family from its connection with the 
stout lieutenant of the Tower, who is represented by Shakspere as a passive adversary 
to the princes' murder, and who had the posthumous honour of being connected with the 
master for whom he died on Bos worth field, as the only other person forfeited who held 
Palatine lands. An entail saved Selaby. The great grand nephew of the lieutenant 
appears in all the ceremonies of the maiden queen, and was perhaps in Shakspere's eye 
when he characterized the Lieutenant with all courtly deference. Thus, when Richard 
praises, without saying wherefore, Jane Shore's cherry lip and pretty foot, with ludicrous 
gravity he answers " With that, my Lord, myself have nought to do." 

Selaby finally passed to the Vanes, and is in the language of Surtees, one of the most 
sparkling gems in the Cleveland coronet, one of the loveliest emerald spots in the Vane's 
domain. It was for many years the residence of the Hon. Frederic Vane, second son of 
the first Earl of Darlington, and owes many beauties to his simple and elegant taste. 

1617-8. Wm. Brakenburie of Cockerton, bur. — 1618. Ann, d. of Thomas Braken- 
burie of Cockerton, bap. — 1644. Dorithy, d. of Matthew Breckenburie of Newton, 
bap. — 1698-9. Dorothy Brackenbury of Newton, bur. 

1560-1. Elected, James Pilkington, s. t. p., the first protestant bishop 
of Durham, a Oalvinistic exile. The queen having heard that he gave his 
daughter a £ 10,000 portion, as much as Henry VIII. had bequeathed her, 
scotched the see of ^1000 a-year and settled it on her garrison at Berwick.* 
Elizabeth, as is well known, detested marriage in ecclesiastics. The bishop 
stood stoutly for his church's possessions, but he himself so ^wasted them that 
an action was brought against his executors for delapidation, a previously 
unknown occurrence. He converted the college bells of Auckland, which he 
brust in peaces, to his own use, made a bowling-alley and archery gallery 
where divine service was before celebrated, and took away a very fair steeple- 
head from Stockton manor, &c.,"f* He misliked the surplice and the square 
cap, " because the head is not square/' though he generally pressed non- 
resistance to trivial matters of form in this dark province where " the priests 
went with swords and daggers, and such coarse apparel as they could get." 
His obsequies were in accordance with his life. 

" He died at Auckland the 23d. of January, 1579; presently after whose death one 
being appoynted to bowell him, who shewing himself unskillful therein, leaving un- 
finyshed that work, whereof one Williams of Darneton being sent for, for that purpose, 
soddenly putting his hand into the dead body unawares, hurt hymself upon the said 
knyfe, not knowing of the same. He was streightway after buryed in the parish church 
of St. Andrew Auckland without any solempnitie, for that he did not like nor allowe of 
such ceremonies. But he was afterwards, by the appointment of some that were in 
authority, taken up agayn, for that they were given to understand that he was not so 

* Strype. t Hunter's MSS. 



THE RISING OF THE NORTH. 103 

honorably buryed as became such a Bysshop to be, by reason whereof his body was 
taken up agayn, and was carryed to Durham upon a very tempestuous day, and there 
lyeth buried in the quire of the cathedrall church of Duresme, under a marble tunne 
taken out of ye Colledg of Auckland, being ye tunne (Ita.J of one Tompson, once 
Deane of ye said Colledg, and from thence carryed to Durham; and in cariage a corner 
of the said stone did burst, notwithstanding it was set together again, and so lyeth erected 
aboye ye said Busshop." Hunter's MSS. 

The grandson of his brother Leonard the Prebendary, also named Leonard, was bap- 
tized at Merrington in 1614, and lived at Darlington, dying in 1674, his inventory being 
dated March id. an. His dau. Alice was baptized here 1640, May 30, and his wife Alice 
was bur. May 4 following. He must have married again, four more children occurr- 
ing:— William, bap. 1643, bur. 1644-5; Leonard bap. 1645-6; Elizabeth, 1647-8; and 
Dorothy, 1652. 

1569. The Rising of the North. The dissatisfaction of the people 
at the change of religion, and their attachment for the feudal lords, had long 
prepared them for a general rise, which was hurried on by the arrival of the 
beautiful Mary of Scotland, and the fears for the safety of her imprudent 
suitor the Duke of Norfolk. On the first alarm, Elizabeth summoned the 
Percy and the Neville chiefs to court, where perhaps, (as their talents were 
but indifferent) a mere temporary restraint awaited them, they were, however, 
practised upon by Romish emissaries who persuaded them that their lives 
were in danger. On the night of the day on which Thomas Percy, Earl of 
Northumberland, K. G., received the queen's letters in his manor-house at 
Topcliffe, certain conspirators perceiving him to be wavering, caused a servant 
to bustle in and knock at his chamber door, willing him in haste to shift for 
himself for his enemies had beset him, whereupon he arose, and conveyed 
himself to his keeper's house : in the same instant they caused the bells of 
the town to be rung backward, and so raised as many as they could.* There 
is an old post and pan house, with a striking gable end, at Thorpfield at the 
junction of the Thirsk and Topcliffe townships, which is perhaps the keeper's 
house alluded to. At all events it is on the road to Brancepeth, and contains 
a mantelpiece finely carved with the full insignia of the unfortunate earl 
surrounded with the garter. Motto, QEfyevanct 23tcu. The next afternoon 
he departed to Brancepeth where he met Charles Neville, Earl of Westmore- 
land and confederates in similar fears. From thence they issued some pro- 
fessedly loyal proclamations, commanding the queen's subjects, in her high- 
ness' name, to repair to them for the security of her person. 

The rebellion had at first been slighted, but the queen's party soon began 
to assemble, though in number few in the bishopric. William Hilton, -f- esq., 
(afterwards knighted in 1570 at Carlisle by Sussex) furnished 100 horse 

* Hollinshed. Sharp's Memorials of the Rebellion. These two works, with Stowe, are 
consulted throughout. The dates are uniformly from the Bowes MSS. in Sharp. Stowe 
and Hollinshed vary materially. 

t Connected in more ways than one with the^Bowes family by intermarriages. Baker, 
p. 570, says that the Queen repaid the sums of money borrowed, "which won her no less love 
than if she had given it." 



104 THE RISING OF THE NORTH. 

and lent the queen 50/. on her privy seal. Christopher Addy, gent., who 
had been coroner of Darlington ward under Tunstall and some other gentle- 
men did the like. 

On November 13, Sussex, the president of the north, wrote to Sir George 
Bowes from York, that he heard that sixty of the earl's horsemen were to 
lodge at Darnton, and pay one penny a meal, and one penny day and night 
for hay. The council at York also wrote to the queen that they had ordered 
2500 footmen to be at Darneton on the 21st. Sussex despatched letters 
from her majesty to the rebel noblemen once more demanding their appear- 
ance, and backed them himself, promising that their friends would stand 
firmly with them, but they were too far advanced to submit. On the 15th 
Bowes wrote to Sussex that he had requested his party to assemble at Barnard 
Castell ; that people armed and well mounted, came daily northwards over 
Teyse, as of Sunday last, in the afternoon, came over at Croft and Newsarn 
(Neasham), where he had continual watch, within eight persons of one 
hundred, well horsed and like to have privy coats, but not warlike weaponed, 
except some daggers ; and that the rebel army diminished rather than in- 
creased, they riding at night southwards and coming again of the day north- 
wards, to make shews. " For any rate, at a pennye the meal, or a pennye 
leverage, Darneton, I have sent to knowe ; but there was, nor ys noo suche, 
neither any lyenge there, save th' Erie of Northumberland's fawkener, with 
hys hawks/' A most hurried* letter to Sussex followed, informing him of 
the acts of the rebels at Durham. They entered the Minster, tore the Bible 
and other books, and the same night returned to Brancepeth. Their pro- 
ceedings are amusing enough, and to shew the sad havoc made among the 
solid books provided by our reformers, take the proceedings at Sedgefield. 
Richard Fleitham of that place, husbandman, deposed, 

" That passing throwgh the towne streit he mett with Brian Headlham to whom, 
when this examinate tolde that he went down to Roland Hixson house, the said Brian 
wylled hym to bydd Hixson send up the church books, and he might born the books 
by fore he went to Darlington, which messaidge this examinate dyd to the said in his 
bedd ; but what the said Roland and other dyd with the books, or at the borning of 
them, he cannott depose ; howbeyt yeisterday this examinate hard Isabell Gulling and 
Margarett Snawdon told this examinate and John Johnson at the crosse, that Roland 
Hixson, seinge the flames of the books fleinge up, said, ' Lowe, wher the Homilies flees 
to the devj/U.' " 

Hixson, who was churchwarden, denied all this, and stated that " when one old 
booke of the dark's was in burninge, this deponent said alowd, " See wher the bj/ble 
homes y" which word he spoke to the intent that the byble should not be cauld for, 
which is yett safe therebye. Margaret Snawdon deposed that she saw Roland when 
" lyfting up the leaves of them with his staff, he said, ' Se the dyvell dominesf fie into 
the allyment :' "J and another witness flatly says that Roland was the cause of all the 

* So hurried, that Bowes actually directed it in mistake to the rebel earl of Westmore- 
land, as president of the North council. 

t Apparently a slang term for the Homilies. t Element — here the air. 



OF THE NORTH. 105 

mischief in Sedgefield Church, " and yett wold cover his doing by setting his faulte of 
Brian Headlham and others." 

We find under the head of Brancepeth the deposition of Henry Rutter, of Durham, 
concerning the baptism of his child, who said, that he " was at home in Elvet, wher he 
dwellith, at the birth of his child articulate,* which was borne upon a tewsday, the 
morrow after the Earles rose, and at that present tyme this examinate was sent for to 
John Byers, to wait upon his lorde and master, the Earl of Westmerland, and to be 
with his lordship the morrow next after, being Weddensday, at Darlington?' During 
his absence it appears that his child was christened by the curate at Brancepeth, by my 
Lady Westmoreland's commandment, after Popish fashion.f 

November 16. " This night, % in the evening, both the earls, with a great 
band of horsemen, did ride forth, and was seen pass southwards, towards 
Darneton, and, as the brutte (report) goeth, meaneth to pass to Bychmonde, 
which town is greatly misliked, and upon good cause. We have a marvellous 
lack of armour, but specially of weapon ; and can not tell how to supply it, 
either for these [at Barnard-castle] nor for those footmen appointed to be in 
readiness at Darneton on the 21st of this month. "§ Bowes. 

On this day, the rebels were at Darlington, and sent horsemen to gather 
as many recruits as possible. The proclamations of the earls all accuse the 
queen's counsellors of seeking to destroy the ancient nobility and true religion. 
The Darlington proclamation assumes more characteristic importance from 
its having been penned by Thomas Jenny, at the dictation of Marmaduke 
Blakiston, and by the command of Westmoreland. 

Thomas, Earl of Northumberland, and Charles, Earl of Westmoreland, the Queen's 
most true and lawful subjects, and to all her highness' people, sendeth greeting : — 
Whereas, divers new set up nobles about the Queen's Majesty, have and do daily, not 
only go about to overthrow and put down the ancient nobility of this realm, but also 
have misused the Queen's Majesty's own person, and also have by the space of twelve 
years now past, set up, and maintained a new found religion and heresy, contrary to 
God's word. For the amending and redressing whereof, divers foreign powers do pur- 
pose shortly to invade these realms, which will be to our utter destruction, if we do not 
ourselves speedily forfend the same. Wherefore we are now constrained at this time to 
go about to amend and redress it ourselves, which if we should not do and foreigners 
enter upon us we should be all made slaves and bondsmen to them. These are there- 
fore to will and to require you, and every of you, being above the age of 16 years and 
not 60, as your duty towards God doth bind you, for the setting forth of his true catho- 
lic religion, and as you tender the common wealth of your country ; to come and resort 
unto us with all speed, with all such armour and furniture, as you, or any of you, have. 
This fail you not herein, as you will answer the contrary at your perils. God save the 
Queen.— MSS. Harl. 6990,44. 

" And at Damton," writes Bowes on the 1 7th, " they offer great wage to 
such as will serve them ; and hath not only stayed the people in many parts 

* That is, named in the article now answered. 
+ Durham Eccl. proc. Sur. Soc. p. 1 77. 
% "Last night " appears to be meant. 
§ The orthography is here modernised, a liberty I shall sometimes adopt when the pro- 
nunciation is not affected. Obsolete words and names are given as in the original. 



106 the rising of 

oi Bichmondshire from assembling to me, and the commissioners hither, but 
hath in the bishopric called all the people in Darneton together, and this 
day they make their musters there, and appoint captains to such number of 
footmen as they have levied. They have constrained, by force, sundry to 
follow them ; as the people of Bishopton, tenants of John Conyers,* my son- 
in-law, being ready to come forwards to serve the Queen's Majesty under 
him here, they not only forced them to go with them, but compelled the rest 
of the town, armed and unarmed, to go to Darneton ; and hourly advertise- 
ment cometh, of their constraining men to serve them. And the fear is so 
increased, that in manner no man dare travel/' 

He further reports that " masse was yesterday at Darnton ; and John 
Swinburn, with a stqfe, drove before him the poor folks, to hasten them to 
hear the same." Stow states that " they had holi-water, but no masse for 
want of vestments/' Hollinshed,-f- however, (a bitter enemy, it must be 
owned), says that at Darington they " had masse, which the earles and the 
rest heard with such lewde devotion as they had," and in another edition 
quoted by Drake in his Eboracum that " they lewdly heard mass, and be- 
sprinkled all their army with Holy Water/' The earls now declared that 
their object was to determine " to whom of mere right the true succession 
of the crown appertaineth." 

From Darlington the earls marched on the night of the 16th to Richmond. 
Bowes on the 20th recounts their movements : — '" On Tuesdaye, to Daring- 
ton,! there they sente for the sundrie precepts : proclamations most wicked. 
Wednesdaie, to Richmond, where they altered the manner of their procla- 
mation, whiche is suche, if they be suche as the copies delivered, purporte, 
that it would grieve any honest hearte to heare it." 

The rebels proceeded to Clifford Moor, where they mustered about 560C 
men, their greatest number. The city of York had become active, and on 
the 18th November John Lutton, esq. at Mace, " was directed to conduct 
one hundred men to Darnton, at the citie charge ;— - to have 40s. towards his 
chardge, and further allowans at his home comyng." This order was revoked ; 
and Mr. Dawson, with one other honest person, was to conduct them to 
Darneton. Yorkshire was more loyal than Durham, and from some cause 
or other undetermined, the earls turned their backs upon it and returned to 
the bishopric. On the 29th, Bowes says, 

" They have a greate number of fatt cattell that they have spoyled in theyr joyrneye, 
which they dryve to Derneton warde ; and, as I am informed, meanethe to bestowe 
abowte Stocton, where they have fogge and haye, greate plentye, of the Byshoppe of 

* Of Sockburn, who married Sir George's daughter, Agnes. He actively supported his 

father-in-law. 

f Edit. 1577. 
X In 1573, in answer to certain queries by Lord Burghley concerning the rebellion, Sir 
George laments that two proclamations of the Earls had been stolen from his house at Cow- 
ton. " The one proclamed at Darneton, which was but simple : and the other proclamed 
at Ripon, wlr.ch was the most effectuall thing they did." 



THE NORTH. 107 

Durham's and myne, and come enewffe, of the Deanes and others liarde by them ; and 
the beste contrethe of come joynethe to thoyse parts, of thys rever of Tees, of bothe 
syds ; as of the one, Byllingham, Norton, and such lyke ; and of the other syde, 

Cleveland, where Xpofer Nevell nowe ys. They everye day come and offer scrym- 

yshinge and beareth in oure scoute and scewryers ; but we take noo layrom, but 

kepethe close* The general brewte here ys, they wyll besege me ; but I am in noo 

feare. And there footman ys fallen in there marche towards Darneton, which seamethe 
they rather wyll imploye them abowte Hartlepoyle, rather [than] to hasserde thys 
place." 

Hartlepool however being secured, a long seige of Barnard Castle followed. 
Bowes gallantly defended it, but was obliged to surrender honorably (partly 
owing to the numerous desertions to the rebels). 

From a list of the levies assembled at Barnard Castle, who required pay I find that 
there were musters of horsemen at Darneton on Nov. 24, and of footmen on the 26th. 
41 light horsemen entered there had 16c?. per day, each, 98 foot soldiers 8c?. Their 
captain, Rauff Tailboys, Esq., of Thornton Hall, had 8*., his lieutenant 4s., ensign 
bearer 12c?., sergeant 12c?., drummer 12d. 

Bowes, marching out of the castle under a composition, proceeded to Ses- 
say, where he met the Earl of Sussex, Lieutenant-General in the North, 
with an army of some 5,000 men, and was made Marshall of the conjoined 
forces, which marched by Croftbridge, Darlington-f" and AyclifFe, to Durham. 
But a more formidable muster was behind. 

" They (the rebels) were not onely pursued by the Erie of Sussex and other with him, 
hauing a power with them of 7,000 men, being almost at theyr heeles, but also by the 
Earle of Warwike, and the Lorde Clynton, high Admyrall of Englande wyth a farre 
greater armie of 12,000 men raysed by the Queenes Maiesties Commission out of the 
South and middle parties of the realme.- - The coming forward of these forces, caused 
the rebels so much to quaile in courage, that they durst not abyde to trie the matter 
with dint of sworde. For whereas the Erie of Warwike, and the Lord Admyrall, 
being aduanced forwarde to Darifigton, ment the next day to haue sent Robert Glouer 
then Portculeys, and now Somerset Herault (who in this journey attended on the Lorde 
Admyrall, as Norrey king of Armes did vpon the Earle of Warwike) unto the rebels, 
vpon such message as for the time and state of things was thought conuenient, the 
same night aduertisements came from the Erie of Sussex vnto the Erie of Warwik, and 

* " Coward, a coward, of Barney Castell 
Dare not come out to fight a battell." 

Popular rhyme still current. 
t " The xiith day, I intende to be at Darneton." Sussex to Sir W. Cecil- 8 Dec. On the 
17th, Hunsdon, Sir Ralph Sadler and Sussex met at Croft-Bridge, consulted, marched for- 
ward, and hearing that the rebels, understanding of their appointment to be at Darneton, 
had fled, stayed their footmen at Darneton until they might see whether it should be ne- 
cessary to draw them on to Duresme,or that they might casse (dismiss) a great part of them 
for diminishing of charges. On that day, Sussex wrote to Cecil from " Smyton four miles 
from Darneton," at 2, a.m., the confederates to the council from "Arclif (Aycliffe) between 
Darneton and Duresme," and the Earl of Rutland to Cecil "from Eghinton (Heighington), 
betwene Durham and Darnton." On the 18th, T. Sutton writes from Darlington, — " The 
rebells fled yesternight from Durham to Hexham, accompanied with their horsemen ; only 
having discharged all their fotmen, and willed them to provide for themselves." 



108 THE RISING OF 

to the Lorde Admirall, that the two Earles of Northumberlande, and Westmerlande, 
were fledde, as the truth was they were in deede, first from Durham, whither the sayde 
Glouer should haue bene sent vnto them, and now vpon the Earle of Sussex his comming 
vnto Exham, they shrank quite away, and fled into Scotlande, without bidding their 
companie farewell." — ( Hollinshed.) 

The p uissant army of Warwick marched on to Durham though the re- 
bellion was completely at an end. 

The Countess of Northumberland was left on foot at the house of a borderer : — " He 
is weil kend, Johne of the Syide — a greatar thief did never ryide" — " a cottage not to be 
compared to any dog-kennel in England." However he kept faith and the Countess 
escaped to Flanders. Her luckless husband was betrayed by Hector Graham, of Hare- 
law to the Regent Murray, whose successor Morton sold him to Lord Hunsdon to 
expiate his errors on the scaffold. To take Hector's Cloak has become proverbial 
for betraying a friend, and the villain somehow fell suddenly from affluence into unac- 
countable poverty. I annex a few of Sir John Forster's charges in the conveying of 
Percy to York and in his return with his company — 

For three post horses from Durham to Darnton 3s. 10d". 

For the charges at Darnton, on Wednesday at night and Thursdaye 

morning 19£. 18s. 

For three post horses from Darnton to Toplef 5s. 2d. 

On Sunday night at Darnton (on his return) IK. 10s. 

Westmoreland housed at Carr of Ferniherst's, where Sir Robert Constable a York- 
shire gentleman and relation of the Earls visited him, " Hector of Tharlowes hedd was 
wished to have been eaten amongs us at supper?' Constable told the exile of the miseries 
of his house and followers till the tears overhauled Ms cheks abundantly ; the villain 
professes to have not been able to forbear weeping to see him so suddenly fall to repen- 
tance, and yet was all the time trying to allure him to ruin in England. He came with 
missives to the Countess who remained at Brancepeth. He kissed her lord's ring, and 
gave it to her. She was passing joyful, and told him in the simplicity of her heart of 
her counsel to her lord to throw himself at the mercy of the Queen. Constable had 
" talked with many but never with her like," and yet notwithstanding the impression 
this excellent lady made on him, he wiled from her every secret and transmitted them to 
Sadler with jewel tokens delivered for her lord and his hosts. As to the ship is anchor 

AND CABLE, So TO THY FRIEND BE THOU, CONSTABLE* 

The Earl was of a very amorous bent. The beautiful ballad by Surtees suggested by 
an old tower on the brook in Langleydale (which is said to have been the residence of 
his mistress) is well known.f Constable hints at a jealousy of the Lord of Ferniherst 
about Westmoreland and his "new wanton lady." At an age little suited for such an en- 
terprize and in exile, he was wooing Richardot's daughter most attentively for his second 
spouse, but her father required more pension from Spain before consent. He was in 
some warlike business abroad, but contumely was showered upon the hapless wanderers 
and he closed his day alone and in obscurity. His Countess and daughters received an 
allowance from the queen, and the latter became very notorious in harbouring seminary 
priests. 

* A quaint scrap under a ship (Constable's crest), in Knight's MSS. Caius Coll. Camb. 

f The first verse of the Lamentation of John Musgrave, a robber, was probably in Sur- 

tees's remembrance. 

Down Plumpton Park as I did pass, 

I heard a bird sing in a glen : 

The chiefest of her song it was, 

Farewell the flower of serving-men. 



THE NORTH. 109 

1569-70. Jan. 1. Among the prisoners remaining in the gaol at Durham 
in Bowes 's custody, was Cuthbert Storye, of Darlington, having inheritance, 
and he was still there on the 26th. During their durance vile, the gentle- 
men paid 6s. Sd. and the " meaner sort n 3s. 4<d. weekly for their meat and 
drink. 

On the 15 May, the bill of attainder was passed. Among the attainted 
are Thomas Norton, John Gower, Cuthbert Wytham, and Thomas Jenny, 
gent., the penner of the Darlington proclamation, who finally escaped to 
Flanders. 

" To the secretaryship, indeed, I drew them ther last proclamation, which I did at 
Dorrington, being comanded thereto by the Earl of Westmerland, who tooke me by 
the arme, and said, sence you are amongst us, we will make you do the thing we will ; 
and therupon comanded one M. Blaxton* to give me instruction, and I penned it 
accordingly ; and then was the first that ever I knew what they intended in taking up 
armes." — State Paper, Jennys examination. 

Jan. 8. Sussex sent a note to Cecil of 300 and odd persons to be " exe- 
quuted by marciall lawe," in this county, in which occur " of townesmen of 
Darneton, 1 6/' In this town forty-one were appointed to be slain, composed 
of " prisoners here, two, constables, twenty -three, of the towne and not yet 
taken, sixteen/' In fact at Darneton were to be executed " all the constables 
of Darneton warde, — the townesmen of Darneton/' Well might the Bishop 
lament that " the cuntre is in grete mysere," for " few innocent are left to 
trie the giltie/'f 

About 481 joined in Darlington Ward, of whom ninety-nine were exe- 
cuted. The seat of the rebellion was essentially in this ward. The names 
of the " meaner sorte " executed, possess little interest, but " Hobby that 
God sent us, at Darlington," is an exception.]: 

Sir Geo. Bowes to the Earl of Sussex. 

My humble duty, &c. The executions are done, or will this day, and to morrow be 
done through all the Byshopricke, according to your L. direction, saving in a part of 
Darneton Ward, where as yet I command ; although I have both by day and night 
caused to search their towns, but they be wholly fled, the names of which towns I send 
your lordship in a billet here inclosed ; which be of the worst doers of the whole coun- 
try, and lieth, for most part, of the street. But I hope that upon my going from Darne- 
ton they will draw home, upon" whose coming I have taken such order, that I will 
send of my horsemen suddenly ; and hopeth by that means, to get them, thinking very 
convenient that they should have the harder justice for their evil dealing. I have taken 
such order with these that dealeth with the goods of those executed, that they should 
deal favorably with the wives and children, so as they might only not have cause to 
complain, but be satisfied ; and, so far as I know, so they are : for in all Darneton, by 
this composition, I caused [to] make for me an agreement with the wives, cometh but to 

* Marmaduke Blakiston, younger son of Tho. B. of Blakiston, esq., " a principal wrytor 
of things." 
t Sadler, ii. 95. % Bowes MSS. to which through Sharp I am so much indebted. 



110 



THE RISING OF 



81. for where I find them, and hath many children I take nothing at all. And for the 
more favouring of them, I have committed the doing hereof to the worshipful neigh- 
bours, with instructions to favour the poor, and to deal favorably with all. I have 
newly taken order for receipt of prisoners to be received from the Lord Scrope, but my 
servants waited all a day and night before I got them word what to do : and I humbly 
desire to know whether I shall stay these prisoners at Barnard Castle or to bring them 
to Richmond, where 1 fear there will be very strait room, for I hear it is very full ; and 
this day, by ten of the clock, by God's grace, I will be there. But sure time is conve- 
nient to be somewhat prolonged, for in this course I find the constables, in sundry 
places, hath accused these that did least, and excused the greatest offenders ; and many 
of themselves that denied before your Lordship to be with the Earls, both was with the 
rebels in all their journies, and strained the rest to the same by hard words, which I 
have sought for, but cannot get ; for which cause I mean not from henceforth, to deliver 
any of the constables before the justice be ended, and then, if they be clear to let them 
pass. I use even that course your Lordship did, and execute none that hath not both 
been of the first journey and in some of the second journies, accompanied with the 
rebels. And, thus ready to set towards Richmond, I humbly take my leave. From 
Darneton, the 8th of January, by eight of the clock in the morning, 1569. 

Jan. 9. In a list of names of such as the Earl of Warwick and the Lord 
Admiral had received into their protection are the names of Hen. Kittinghall, 
and John Comeforth, [of the Blackwell family ?] 

The Yorkshire executions (200) followed those of the Bishoprick, and 
Sussex who seems to have been thoroughly disgusted, writes to Cecil from 
Darnton, " I was first a lieutenant, I was after little better than a marshall ; 
1 had then nothing left to me but to direct hanging matters." The Queen 
hurried the executions on. Bowes appears to have been more contented with 
his lot than Sussex, for on hanging one Harrison in his own orchard, tradi- 
tion ascribes to him the savage expression " that the best fruit a tree could 
bear, was a dead traitor/' and his conscience, if popular fancies about a cer- 
tain room at Streatlam be true, will not suffer his unquiet ghost to rest. 
The Queen's command was that none who had freeholds or were noted wealthy 
should be executed, they purchasing their lives. 

The following extract will show how Darlington headed the melancholy 
catalogue of places most deeply involved :— 



Broughe of Darneton . . . 
Bondgayte in Darneton 
Cockerton . . . 
Blackewell 
Haughton . . . 
Sedgefield ... . 
Billingham ... 
Wolveston 

Hart 

Norton* ... . 
Byshopton . . . 
Farye on the Hyll . . . 



Joined. 


Executed 


... 55 


10 


28 


6 


... 14 


3 


18 


4 


... 4 


1 


19 


5 


... 22 


5 


19 


4 


... 17 


4 


... 16 


4 


15 


5 



Left blank. Bowm MSS. 



THE NORTH. HI 

Joined. Executed. 

Eglyston 16 

Wolsyngham 16 4 

Ingleton 13 3 

Staynedroppe 44 7 

Rabye 27 5 

Forest of Langleye 19 4 

Saynt Elen Awkeland 12 2 

Cockefeilde 15 3 

Pearsbrige 13 2 

Lyndsecke 11 

Aykecliffe ... 21 3 

None of the other townships exceed 10 in their numbers. 

After the Rebellion was quietly over, there seems to have been a sale of 
horses at the usual Whitsuntide fair at Darlington by the Council's com- 
mand. In the dispute about the will of Sir Robert Brandling of Newcastle, 
(1568-9) Henry Brandliog said that Christopher Chaytor refused on the 
Friday that Sir Robert died " about Whitsondaye" to make his will, for that 
" he must ryde that night towardes Darlington, for markyn of horses there 
to be sold in the fair, by the Conselles commandmente ; and promised to 
comme to hym agayne within a week after/'* 

A revengeful inroad to Scotland followed the putting down of the rebellion, 
in which one Captain Darrington had the command of fifty horsemen. 

In 26 Eliz. we find John Trollop, a pardoned rebel, presenting before " John Awbrey 
and the rest of the Queen's Commissioners of concealed lands, then sitting at Derling- 
ton,"" the messuage called Thornley, as " concelement," and obtaining a grant of the 
estate under 10s. crown-rent for ever. The estate had been given to Ralph Bowes, Esq., 
who seems soon to have come to an understanding with the forfeited family, and 
granted the patent to the use of John Trollop. Trollop died in extreme age in 1611, 
after constant troubles about his lands with the crown, and is oddly said in the Kelloe 
register to have been buried by himselfe.f His father was perhaps the happier man, 
pleasantly stating in his will that God had given him "an honeste parte in this world, 
which is a good wyfe, who haithe been and is not onlie moche comfortable to me, but also 
moclie profitable.'''' 

Cuthbert Witliam attainted, was son of William Witham,J of Darlington, whose 
grandfather Thomas lived at Brittonby, near this place, and married Inet co-heiress of 
Wanton of Cliffe. In 1535 William Witham as bailiff of Derlyngton returned 16/, 
town-rents to the bishop and received as fee 100s.§ 

Cuthbert Storie, of Darlington, appears not only to have been pardoned but to have 
kept his lands. 1 1 Some were however alienated before. In 1586 he was a picker and 
stealer and was made to disgorge the stones and planks which he had taken away from 
a bridge over the mill dam at the North end of Norgait, and which was ordered to be 
re-constructed with a Landstaith four yards wide for the ease of the people at the costs 
of Bondgate.1T 

Thomas Norton, of Skerningham, was" arrained at Westminster, 6 April, ,1570, and 
confessed his treason. He was brother of the patriarchal rebel Richard Norton, who 

* E3cl. Proc. Sur. Soc. 123- + I. e. in his own porch. 

% Thoresby's Due Leod. § Valor Ecclesiasticus. 

II Terr. Cuthberti Storey attinct. Redd. tene. in Darneton 4(W. 6s. Sadler's State Papers, 
ii. 200. U Mill papers. R. H. Allan, esq.. 



112 PERSONS INVOLVED IN 

bore a cross with a streamer before the army, and whose descendant Maior or Maulger 
Norton, of Clowbeck, co. Ebor. bought a burgage in Blackwellgate of George Fether- 
stonhaugh, of Thornaby-upon-Tees, in 1623. The whole tribe of the " wicked people" 
of Norton Conyers were infected with disloyalty. Thomas married Elizabeth, coh. of 
Eshe, and jure uxoris possessed Skerningham. He was " an offender in the rebellyon 
in the tyme of King Henry Vlllth/'* and for this second offence was drawn, hanged, 
beheaded, and quartered at Tyburn in presence of his nephew Christopher, who imme- 
diately after suffered the same fate, very repentant .f The latter stated that " by the 
way betwixt Dorham and Darnton cam Mr. Agramont Ratlef, and T. Geny, [and] Blax- 
ton, which comfortyd the coman sorte ; and the next day in the monyng. came about 
1000 fotmen and horsemen to the Earlls. Thayt day thaye to Rychemond, to store 
[stir] Rychmondshire, wheare the Earll of Northomerland staid that nygt, and West- 
merland com backe to Darnton againe. They ij aponted to meet at Alarton, the next 
day, as they did." I do not enter here into the sorrows of the main branch of Norton, 
not even daring to be captivated with Exalted Emily — Maid of the blasted family, 
but I may state one curious fact. In the brazen shields in the Norton porch at Wath 
Church the family arms are carefully erased, the impalement of Ward remaining per- 
fect ; and in a window, the quarterings all gleam upon the chancel floor, save the pater- 
nal coat. It is totaJly destroyed. 

In 1573 the Queen granted Skerningham manor to Ralph Taylboys, Esq., who pur- 
chased in trust for the ancient family, and in 1597 Robert Tailbois, of Thornton, re- 
conveyed to Thomas the son of the slain. He did not long possess it. In 1606, he with 
Dorothy his wife, Elizabeth Taylboys his mother, and Elizabeth his only child, granted 
all his bonny lands away and retired to the neighbouring town of Darlington, worn 
down probably with pecuniary incumbrances he had been unable to shake off. He was 
buried in our churchyard on Apr. 29, 1615, as " Thomas Norton, gentleman, of Dar- 
lington, and late of Skirmingham."f 

John Gower, of Richmond, gent., was pardoned at the warm intercession of Sussex, 
as he simply was led to this his first fault. His mother was about to be re married to 
Cottrell, Sussex's secretary, besides, the land was scarce 501. per ann., one-half whereof 
was settled on her. 

Sussex begged for him to be allowed to compound, but the land was all confiscated, 
and according to Sadler, ii. 193, was worth some I35£., of which his Darlington tene- 
ments were set down at 20£. Ralph Gower his father had purchased Bennet's lands in 
Darlington, which the Queen granted to Robert Bowes, Esq.§ Bennet Hall, Bennet 
Field, and Dowcroft, occur together a century afterwards. 

Robert Claxton, of Burnhall, was pardoned at the earnest request of the Bowes family, 
with whom he was connected by marriage. He had a son Anthony, a brother Anthony 
who died an infant, and an uncle Anthony. In 1602, Anthony Claxton married Mar- 
garet Newton at Darlington. George Claxton of the Hulam family alienated property 
in Hungait next the Deanry in 1564-5 to the Hodgsons, who sold it with Kilnegarth, in 
Hungaite, to Buhner Prescote in 1626. In 1624 Richard Potter was ordered to hinder 
none from carrying water from the lane in Hungaite at his kilne side, and was fined for 
harbouringe roguishe people in his kilne.\\ 

* Surtess, i. Appendix. 

f Their heads were set on London Bridge and their quarters upon the gates of the city. 
Thomas in saying his prayers in Latin, prayed the preacher not to molest his conscience. 
He at last consented to say the Lord's prayer and belief in English, and desired the audi- 
ence and all the saints in heaven to pray for him as well then as after his death. 

X A Mr. John Norton sometimes said to be of Skerningham, sometimes of Lasenby, and 
sometimes of Ravens Hall, par. Lamesley, was executed for harbouring Thomas Palliser, a 
seminary priest, at Durham, 1 600. His wife, Margaret, supposed to be pregnant, was re- 
prieved and afterwards pardoned. The story may relate to John son of old Richard Nor- 
ton, and Margaret Readshaw his second wife, though he would be 76 years old. 
§ Mickleton, xxxiii., 101. || Borough Books. 



THE RISING. 113 

John Claxton, of Darlington, gent., in 1563-4 desires to be buried at Hurworth, near 
his wife, leaves to his son George the care of John, Margaret, and Mary Claxton, whose 
grandfather was Edmund Hogeson, and to his mother an old angel. He was a legatee 
of John Claxton, of Chester le Street, gent., cousin of Sir John of Nettles worth, the son 
of Robert Claxton, of Old Parke, another rebel of 1569, who was saved from execution 
by Leicester. The Claxtons were zealously attached to the Nevilles in all their 
branches.* 

Henry Killinghall, esq., of Middleton St. George, (see p. 110) possessed the Greets and 
Nicholson Hillt in the field of Nessfield. His grandfather Robert had settled lands in 
Derlyngton on his widow, which were greatly increased by his father John by purchase 
from John Lord Lumley and Jane his wife. John in 1572 left 105. to the poor of Dar- 
lington, mentions his leased cole pittes at Wyndleston and Ryton ; leaves to his loving 
sister Anne Parkinson^ his tlire chistes in his chamber that he laid in at Mydleton ; his 
standishe ; and his estate at Kerleburie to use at her discretion to her contentacion and to 
the profit of his children if she should think meet : and Trasfourthe Hill and his pur- 
chased lands at Darlington to his son Henry. Then he disposes of his horses, giving 
his " nephe Henrye Parkinson a baye colte, Raphe Jameson baye farralas horse, Robert 
Bankes my horse cauld lumpe in the houghe (a curious name alluding to deformity), and 
Thomas Brystowe my graye ga'son horse."§ William, John's elder brother, from whom 
he derived, charged estates in 1521 " for the sustentacon of an honest preste which I 
will shall syng for the sowles of me, myn auncestors and heires in the parishe churche 
of Midilton George by the space of seven yeres next after my death perceyving yerly 
for his salary vij markes.''|| Henry had a son Francis who was proceeded against in 
1636 for a clandestine marriage with Margery his pretended wife. " Margery Killinghall, 
of Darlington, buried 1644-5 *' is perhaps identical with her or her husband's sister 
Margery. She occurs on the flyleaf of the register among some recusants.T 

The Nevilles. — The claims of the expiring line of Weardale were never advanced, 
but the younger line of Latimer petitioned for the lands and honours of Westmoreland, 
and Edmond Neville reminds James 1. of his assurance that " if you were King of 
England, I was Earle of Westmoreland without exception ; the credit of which mes- 
sage was warranted by a letter from my Lord of Darlington (Dirleton ? quoth Surtees) 
assuring further, that now my fortunes shall rise with, yours ; and irrevocably ratified 
by your sacred Majestie in your postscript, written with your royal hand, which was 
never yet known to retract what it deliberately set downe, in the words, ' I shall now 
with grace promise you to your right, and satisfy you to your expectation '; which 
letters was likewise styled to the Earl of Westmoreland.' 1 '' James not only broke his word, 
but Edmund was actually cited for having assumed the title with which the king had 
accosted him. The Judges decided that the earldom was forfeited, and that Edmund 
had no title to the honours of that earl who fell u for his service and affection to the King's 
mother.'" An empty honour at Eastham in Essex records him as "Lord Lattimer, Earl of 
* Sharp's Memorials of the Rebellion. 

t These freehold lands (except 5a. 3r. 3op- and the old farm-stead on the top of the hill, 
sold to John Pease, esq.) as well as Nessfield, are now the properties of R. H. Allan, esq., 
a descendant of Henry Killinghall, and of the Sobers, of Nessfield. 

X He married Anne, daughter of Richard Perkinson of Beamond Hill. Standishe signifies 
an inkstand. § Archives penes R. H Allan, esq. — Query. Garson, a youth, here applied 

to a young horse. Farralas is still used in the sense of barren. 

II Original will, penes R. H. Allan, esq. There is a curious endorsement in his " awne 
hand wrytyng" whereby he " by gud delyberation and for speciall cause" cancels a legacy 
of 160Z. out of West Hartburn. 

If Middleton George. 1611. Spiritual Court Proceedings against Win. Kyllyngall, esq., 
-who "entertayneth in his house askitchin wench a woman that hath had two basterds at a 
birth (as if that made the matter worse !),it is not pretended he is suspected with her, but 
he owes 8s. 4d. sessement, and licks the churchwarden with his staffe when he calls for it." 
Mr. K. answered that "he acted out of Charitie, and struck the churchwarden lightlie with 
a small gold-headed cane which he useth to walk Avith ordinarily." Surtees MSS. 

Q 




114 THE NEVILLE MANOR 

Westmerland, lineally descended from the honorable blood of kings and princes, and 
the seventli Earle of Westmerland of the name of Nevills." The barony of Latimer 
however fell into abeyance among the daughters of John, who died in 1577. 

It would be endless to give any idea of the memo- 
rials of the Nevilles. Their saltire occurs everywhere. 
JohnClervaux is proudly recorded at Croft as "nephew 
to Ralph Nevil the first Earl of Westmoreland," and by 
the same connexion his son Richard as "of the blood of 
Edward IV. and Richard III. in the third generation/' 
His monument (date 1490) is bespangled with a 
singular badge, of which I give a cut, apparently a 
muzzle of some sort. The deceased was Esquire of the 
body of Henry VI. and his arms are surrounded by 
the SS. ornament. A race of the name occur as small 
resident^burgesses in Skinnergate, in the 17th century. 
The Chaytors, representatives of the main line of 
Clervaux, also held burgages in Skinnergate (south of 
the Grammar School property), Black wellgate, and 
Hungate, " as more fully may appear by an old book 
called le Terrier containing all deeds and evidences of lands," to which William Chaitor 
was admitted in 1612, but being under age, the Bailiff and Steward granted him leave 
to claim admission again when of full age. 

1662. " The 6th day of Oc'ber a very sad accedent befell Mr. Henrie Chaiter of Game- 
ford as he was coming from Darlington in soe much that he fell from his horse and was 
suddenly slaine, from which Good Lord deliver us, and was buried nobly by his friends 
and neighbours the 8th day of the foresaid mounth, together with his funeral sermon, 
the subject of which was the 22 of Revelations and the 12th verse. — Et ecce venio 
cito : Et merces mea mecum est : Etc : &c." Gainford Par. Reg. 

Among the widely extended possessions of the unfortunate Neville which were con- 
fiscated, were some at Blackwell * His predecessor Henry had, as we have seen, granted 
certain lands there to Edward Perkinson, of Beaumond Hill, who died in 1567 seised of 
1 messuage, 5 cottages, 100 acres meadow, 40 pasture. Henry was his heir, but he de- 
vised part of Blackwell to his second son Cuthbert, then under age, who was afterwards 
a gentleman living at Darlington, and buried there in 1618. The Parkinsons were tinged 
with disaffection, and Sadler mentions Mr. Perkinson, of Beamond-hill, as being re- 
ported " to have saved the Earl in the rebellion time." 

In 1609 Bartholomew Garnett, gent., died seised of lands in Blackwell, sometime 
Perkinson's, held by knight's service and 245. 10<#. rent. Robert was his son and heir. 
I have little doubt that this rent is identical with the 23s. 8d. or 24s.+ rent formerly 
paid by the Middletons for the messuage and five oxgangs they had heired from the 
Black wells, and which were also held by knight's service. The manor of Blackwell 
held by Ralph the great Earl probably consisted of all their freehold £ (including Castle 
Hill) as well as the small estate held by John Nevyll, Chivaler, in 1388, by fealty only. 
Lang-drafts also, which was Exchequer Land, eventually joined the freehold.§ 

* Hutch, iii. + Vide p. 7. £ They only held copyholds in later times. 
§ 1622. Partition of Blackwell Commons. To George Parkinson in lei we and consideracon 
of the six and half oxg. of freehold land and to such other persons as shall have right to the 
said freehold, these grounds, Badell banck, Langdraught, Cald, Rell, and Dowdie bancks, 
with all other grounds lyeing under the banck from the holme towards Consclyffe, be- 
longing to the Towneshipp of Blackwell, alsoe eight acres in the southend of Snipe abutting 
upon Brankinmoor neer Skerne, and alsoe the residue of Brankinmoor (not otherwise 
assigned) as part of the said freehold land, also the eatage of the loaning in Brankinmoor. 
There are something like manorial rights to freehold wastes recognized here, no quantity 
is prescribed, as in the cases of the other assignees. 



OF BLACK WELL. 115 

Robert Garnet before 1631 conveyed a moiety of a capital messuage arid six oxgangs, 
late his father Bartholomew's to Matthew Bracken gent. The entirety passed to George 
Parkinson, of Haghouse, gent., in 1638, being held by knight's service. 

The Parkinsons now probably possessed the whole of the Neville property, for pre- 
viously to this a messuage and farmehold late occupied by Robert Gamett had come into 
their hands, which Margerie Parkinson, of Woodrington,* co. Northum., widow of the 
suspected rebel Henry Parkinson, gent., (who had sold Beaumond Hill) conveyed in 
1615 to George Parkinson, of Haghouse. The deed was produced in 1617 in evidence 
on behalf of Margerie and George against Anthony Nevell and Mathew Bracken com- 
plainants. I do not know the relationship of the man thus mixed up with a portion of 
the Neville manor to its lords, but he lived in gentle state near their green fields. In 1615 
he occurs as of Blackwell in the sheriff's list of all the Knightes, Esquires, and Gentle- 
men resident in the Bishoprick, and in 18 Jac. 1. no heirs appearing at the Halmot 
Court on three callings, Timothy Comyn, gent., and Win. Hall, draper, were adm. by 
the Bishop's special mandate to a close called France formerly Anthony Nevell's. In 
1622 half of France and some of the Towneland, viz., Mayland, were demised by 
Matt. Bracken, survivor of Anth. Nevell, deceased. In 22 Jac. 1. the heir had turned 
up, for Charles Nevill, s. and h. of Anthony was adm. to the other half of Franc a parcel 

* She was daughter of Sir John Widdrington, or Woodrington, knt. I take it that the 
entry t( 1592. June 1. James Witherington, son of Isacke Witherington. baptized :" in our 
register, refers to a child of her brother Isaac who had issue Robert and Elizabeth, 
both living in 1625, and that the connection with the neighbouring family of Parkinson, 
brought him here. In the inventory of his nephew Roger Widdrington of Harbottle, 
1641, are some items which show that the deceased must have had a splendid taste for 
jewellery, for he had 3 watches in his pocket, 10 bloodstones, 2 silver seals, one gold 
tooth-pick, one gold signet on his finger, and 103Z. in his purse. A trunk sent away in danger 
of the Scotts, contained of gold and silver imbroidered gloves iij pare; of plaine gloves vi 
paire; of wrought purses with gold and silver ii ; table booke of silver i; set of silver counters, 
viz., 38 with a silver box i ; silver boxes ii; red silk and silver points viii; bracelets of 
currall and curralline ii; black cheane i; black braceletts ii; gold and silver thred of 
pearles ii; silver bell i; silver hatband i; hot-water celler of plush i; black bonelace ; — 
jewelles, in one box, corsanits with dimond i, pearle braceletts i, co... in gold i, gold 
crosses ii, gold rings ix, aggat beads, xv silver bodkins, corrall one peece, box with spirit 
of rosemarie, plushe petticote,'colour reed, with silver lace i, scarlet waistcote with silver 
lace i, brode reed scarf e with silver and gold lace i, hollon smocks iij, night vails laced i. 
These are only some of the articles but they show the magnificence of Roger and his spouse. 

To give an idea of what the counters would be like, I will briefly describe some similar 
articles of silver, kindly put into my hands by O. B. Wooler, esq , of Darlington. They are 
of the size of half a crown, very thin, and engraven on one side with figures of street 
vendors, on the other with birds and flowers, being contained in a silver box flowered, and 
containing in the inside of the lid a fine embossed head of Charles I. The numbers range 
to thirty-six but some are lost, the remainder are all curious as giving the cries of the time. 

" Lanthorae and a whole candell light. — Haue you any chaires to mend—Codlinges hot, 
hot codlinyes. — By a cocke or a gelding, (A woman with a toy windmill and horses , heads 
for children, on sticks.) — Band strings or hanker cher buttons. — Mussels, lilley white mussels. — 
Macarell, new macarell. — Haue you any work for a Tinker. — What kichin stuffe haue you 
maids. — Sum broken Breade and meate. — White vnions, white St. Thomas vnions. — Workefor 
cooper, worke for cooper. — Chimney sweepe- — / haue fresh cheese and creame. — / haue ripe 
hartichokes Mistris. — Buy my dish of great smelts. — Ells or yeards by yeard or Ells- — Buy a 
bresh, buy a bresh. — Buy a screene or straw hatt. — Fine oranges fine lemons. — Small cole a 
penny a peake. — New flownders new. — Buy a Steele or a tinder-box. — What oidd iron or 
sowrdes or rapiers. — Haue you any comes on your feet or toos, ( a man with a stafi, on his 
breast a tablet whereon are divers corns extracted, armed with most awfully long roots- ) — 
JVetv bookes newly printed and, newly com forth. — What ragges, what ould ragges." 



1 1 (j THE NEVILLE MANOR 

in Badell Bancke, &c, and in 1631, he (called "gentleman ") sold to Win. Corneforth, 
two oxgangs in Blackwell. So ceased the name of Neville there* France is now the 
name of a six-and-a-half acre close belonging to R. H. Allan, esq., adjoining his estate 
called Far Howdens farm, and in 1526f I find mention made of Fraunce-howse, which 
was perhaps the residence of the last Neville of Blackwell. As to Badell Bancke, it 
was a general name for all the banks overhanging the deep amphitheatre of the Tees 
from Blackwell Holme to Badle Beck .J 

The Garnetts were perhaps nearly related to Anthony Garnett, Lord of EgglesclifFe, 
who died in 1631, and whose grandfather James was " of Blasterfield in Westmerland."§ 
In 1626 Anthony son of Robert Garnett, of Blackwell, gent., deceased, was apprenticed 
to George Farnaby, Merchant Adventurer and Boothman of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for 
ten years, and was in 1627 set over to Jane Garnett. In 1658 this Anthony, then a free 
brother of the community, petitioned that part of his arrears paid in might be restored, 
in regard his poll money was doubled and he absent in Yorkshire when warned to 
several courts and for absence fined. He hsd 30s. restored.|| In 1642, George GarnettU 
was a copyholder at Blackwell. 

In 1666 John Garnett, Lord of EgglesclifFe (son of Anthony) entered his pedigree at 
Darneton. Three years afterwards, Alice "the onely daughter and child of Mr. John 
Garnett " was laid beneath the sod, and the next year (1670) the childless father, who 
had been captain of horse in the Regiment of Col. Geo. Heron, and deeply engaged in 
the service of Charles I., sold his fair manor and retired to Darlington, where he only 
survived four years, being buried there 2 March, 1674-5. By his will he left 501. to the 
poor of his former home. His wife Alice, daughter of Chr. Place, of Dinsdale, Esq., 
and widow of Michael Pemberton, Esq., of Aislaby, a major in the service of Charles I., 
was buried at Darlington in 1685. 

The Parkinsons of Hagghouse, near Durham, were evidently one of the many 
branches of the Beaumond Hill race. The Seal of George the purchaser exhibits the 
usual coat Gules, on a chevron between three ostrich feathers arg. as many pellets, a 
mullet of six points for difference.** The Perkinsons were in fact originally Fetherston- 
hauffhs, one of that family called Perhin having a son Perkinson.ff In 14 Cha. I. 
George Parkinson and his son and heir Edward mortgaged the property bought from 
Margerie (rate 81. per cent.) to Tobye Ewbancke, of Stainthropp, gent.,^ who must 
have acquired the whole estate in fee, holding 12 oxg. in Blackwell in 1679. 

* Is Nevelson a decadence of Neville or Nevell ? Isabella Nevelson, d. of Nicholas 
Nevelson of Langton, par. Gainford, bap. 1643. — Darlington P. R. 

f Bishops Rolls. J Vide p. 11. § Visit. 1615. || Merchts. Bks. N.C. 

If Son of Robert, he had a son John, adm. to Blachhohne, Badell Bankes in Blackwell 
field, some Bord Land beyond le Markstones, &c He also possessed Stresham Closes and 
Garth Ends (now part of Mr R. H. Allan's Southern Estate), and had a son George who 
sold to the Sayers. Bord Land is land appropriated by the lord of a manor for the support 
of his board or table. 

** Rickatson deeds penes R. H. Allan, esq., from whose valuable collections of title 
deeds the whole evidence on the Blackwell freeholds are taken, except where otherwise 
expressed. +f Visit. 1 575. John Fetherstonhaugh confirmed the narration. 

X+ Toby's first wife, Elizabeth, was widow of Richard Stobert. In her will she makes 
her father-in-law, Stephen Hegge and mother Anne Hegg, guardians to her daughter Ann 
Stobert. Stephen Hegge and Ann Walthorn were married at Darlington, 27 October, 1596. 
Robert Hegge, the author of the Legend of St. Cuthbert, " replete with good sense and 
refined wit," (who had a brother, Stephen, a parson, bur. at Whitworth in 1662), was born 
in 1599 at Durham, his parents being Stephen Hegge, notary-public, and Anne, dau. of 
Robert Swyft, a prebendary. When Mr. Taylor was preparing his edition of the Legend, 
Surtees found the entry of their burials in the Cathedral, but not of their son's, and was 
much annoyed. " What a beast Hegg must have been not to be buried there too, or what 
a brute the Sacristan must have been to omit his register !" He died in 1629. 



OF BLACK WELL. 117 

The lingering of the Black well freehold in the blood of its ancient owners is curious. 
The present possessor, R. H. Allan, Esq., descends directly from the great earl through 
the Greys of Heton and Chillingham, whose coat also formed the most cherished quar- 
tering of the Ewbankes, as appears from the seal of Henry Ewbanke affixed to a Black- 
well deed of 1670. 

Tobye, who removed to Eggleston, fell into difficulties, and in 1658 Leonard Scott, of 
Hull, gent., obtained a judgment against him for 600/. debt and 21s. costs. In 29 
Cha. II , a messuage, garden, orchard, and four closes called Long Draught, Broad 
feild or Lambflatt, Castle hill, and Castle bancke, were extended as a moiety of his pos- 
sessions at Blackwell, and delivered to Scott till payment. 

In 1668, old Toby (then of Stainthropp again) and his son and heir Henry conveyed 
the property mortgaged by Parkinson in 14 Cha. I. to John Tempest, Esq., and others 
as Trustees to secure annuities, viz., 70/. to himself, 50/. to his wife Mary * 30/. to Mary 
Storye, widow, 10/. to Toby the younger, and 20/. to Roger Bainbrigg. The property 
passed through different hands to Francis Forster, of Durham, in mortgage. In a fine 
of 1675 it is described as 4 mess. 1. orch. 40 acr. of land, 230 acr. mead, 230 acr. past, 
in Blackwell and Blackwell Home.f In 1684, the heir Henry Ewbanck, of Winsor, co. 
Berks, esq., sold Blackwell Freehold Farme (Robert Garnett, and Chr. Talbott,* Esq., 
named among the former occupiers) to Win. Richardson, of London, gent.,§ who had 
acquired Scott's interest, and now received all the usual privileges of a manor ; " Court 
Leet and Court Barron, perquisits and profitts of courts, goods and chattells of felons, 
fugitives, persons outlawed and putt in exigent, and felons of themselves, deodands, 
waifs,escrays and all other royalties." Serjeant John Jefferson and Doctor Isaac Basire\\ 
of Durham, released their legal estates. In 1688, Forster's dau. and h. Elizabeth and 
her husband the hon. Charles Monntague, Esq., (Collins' Peerage ii. 292) also released 
on payment of mortgage money. Richardson was a major. 

Blackwell Freehold Farm was settled by Richardson on his daughter Martha, who 
married Richard Booth, of York, gent., and in 1721 the two settled a messuage and 
garth on the backside thereof and the parcels called the Long Draughts, the Middle 
holm, the Farr holm, the Banks, Dowdoe, and Castle otherwise Castle Hill. Booth left 
these possessions to his daughter Ann and her husband Wm. Staines. She in her widow- 
hood at Stockton sold to Chr. Denton, of Gray's Inn, Esq., from whom it descended to 
his sister Elizabeth who married Thomas Hill, Esq., of Manfield. In 1803 the Hills 
sold this estate, as well as Blackwell Holme, to George Allan, Esq., M.P., from whom 
the late John Allan, Esq., purchased Blackwell Hall (which he enlarged) and the Home 
Garth (near it) with Castle Hill in 1808, and the rest of the freeholds including the tithes 
were sold to him by Mr. G. Allan's representatives in 1833. In addition to which, some 

* Generally called Margaret, and queried as " ? Dor. or Mary " in the Grey pedigree in 
Raine's North Durham. In Surtees's Ewbanke ped. Mary is properly given. She was the 
daughter of Henry Grey, esq., fourth son of Sir Ralph Grey of Chillingham, knt. (descended 
from Sir Thomas Grey, of Heton, knt., who married Alice, daughter of Ralph Neville, K.G. 
first Earl of Westmoreland by the Lady Margaret Stafford), by Mary, daughter of Sir John 
Widdrington, of Widdrington, knt., and was married at Grindon, co- Durham, 31 Jan. 1613. 
Her sister Isabel Grey also was married at Grindon, 8 June, 1612, to John Pemberton, of 
Aislaby, esq. The Pembertons who were seated at Stanhope in 1400, are now represented 
by the Allans, who are of course entitled to the Grey quartering. 
f In 1684 called Blackwell Holme 

i Chr. Talbott, or Taubart, often held public offices for Blackwell and Bondgate between 
1660 and 1700. 

§ In 1685 the freeholders of Blackwell were Wm. Richardson, gent., in London ; 
Whayre Fawcett, gent-, [the heir of John Cornforth] ; Thomas Garthorne (sold to Peter 
Hutchinson who lives at Cornforth.) 

|| The great royalist, who fled the kingdom to propagate the doctrine of the Church of 
England among the Greeks and the Arabians. He was prebendary of the 7th stall. See 
his life by the Rev. W. N. Darnell, Rector of Stanhope. 



118 THE NEVILLE MANOR 

copyhold closes formerly called Well-Garth, Gill-Garth, Grimsley-Gill and Dockes, 
with two closes in Darlington township called Darnton close* and Ravensnab, (the 
latter added by the present owner) now form the Northern estate ; while the Southern or 
Hall portion has been augmented by copyholds chiefly derived from Watson,t Vane and 
Arden, the two latter families taking from Sayer and Prescott. Almost the whole of the 
houses (including the old deserted mansion of the Prescotts, popularly styled " The Old 
Manor House") in the village, were bought by the late Mr. John Allan, whose purchases 
in the township of Blackwell amounted to £34,3004 

The old manor of Blackwell having thus become consolidated, no subowners were left 
to do suit and service, the manorial customs tacitly expired, and in " these piping times 
of peace " the military service is excused to its lords. Not so, however, the rent of 24s. 
10<#. which is still duly and truly exacted by my Lord of Durham's officers. 

*#* Cuthbert Waistell,§ of Baydale, near Darlington, married Anne Bunny (bap. 
1690) of the ancient family of Bunny of Newsham. Her brother Edmund was at the sum- 
mer assizes, 1708, defendant in some cause relative to lands there, against Edward and 
Sarah Wren, plaintiffs, in which after he had obtained a verdict he was shot dead in his 
return on the spot of ground between the rivers Wear and Browney.|| The money and 
watch on his person were untouched and the mystery was never explained. His brother 
George Bunny's daughter Mary married John Burton, of Darlington. 

The Neville estate is full of entrancing nooks and shady dells, from which 
glances of the Tees and all its rich banks and fertile flats may be obtained. 
The Seat-house, " bosomed high in tufted trees," is placed on the brow of a 
hill in a most choice station, rising over the river, and commanding the deep 
meadows and green levels of the Tees which form an amphitheatre of three 
or four miles hemmed in by rising wooded grounds. From various portions 
of the domain — from Castle Hill- —from Baydale wood and Ravensnab, the 
views are " beautiful exceedingly/' A rare combination of wood and water, 
hill and dale, characterises the scenery, and the coup oV ceil, is at once rich, 
varied, and romantic. 

In consequence of the irruptions of the " thundering Tees/' which here 
makes a singularly sudden and rapid sweep, that portion of the freehold 
called Castle Hill, is much reduced in quantity. In the memory of old men 
now living, its ample brow was decked with the cotter's dwelling and his 
sunny garden, all of which have fallen, one by one, into the dark remorseless 
stream below ! The formation of a strong embankment, together with a for- 
midable jetty or pier composed of Barton stone, recently erected at much ex- 

* The corner field opposite Salutation. In 1703 it was called Scot's Close or Bedall Bank, 
and the road leading past it was styled the coal street from Cockerton to Blackwell. 

f John Watson, a Stockton merchant, derived partly in 13 Geo. I. from John Middleton, 
whose messuage abutted on a tenement late of Wm. Cornforth on the E. now also the 
Allans'. 

t The freeholds in the whole territory are :— The Hall and pleasure grounds formerly 
Home Garth, 4a.— Long Draughts, 68a.— West Holm, 10a. 2r. 4p.— West Bottom, 3r. 18p — 
East Holm, (subdivided) 18a. lr. 13p.— East Bottom, 2r. 14p— Chilton field, 20a. Ir. 20p.— 
Twelve acres, 11a. lr. 20p. — Low Cow Pasture, 20a. 2r. lOp. — Baydale bank, 8a. lr. lp — 
Baydale bank Bottom, 5a. 9r. 34p.— Crooks, la. 2r. 21p.— Dowdy bank, 3a. 3r. 1 Op.— Dowdy 
Bank Bottom (subdivided), 7a. 2r. 34p — Castle alias Castle Hill, la. 5p.— Darnton Close, 
4a. 2r. 3p— External Lands (adjoining the river Tees), 20a. 18p— Gravel Beds, 7a. 24p — 
Total freehold, 214a. 9p. 

§ Mr. Geo. Wastell was constable of Blackwell in 1681 " for freehold." 
|| Between Browney Bridge and Sunderland Bridge. 



OF BLACKWELL. 119 

penseby the present proprietor, has, at last, when all other appliances failed, 
effectually secured this venerable remain from further demolition.* 

Battela in Boldon Buke is considered by Hutchinson to be identical with Bat- 
tle-law, or hill, and in Hatfield's survey Castle Hill and the herbage of Bath- 
ley go together. It is remarkable that at Kendal opposite the Castle is Castle- 
law-hill, and immediately below it is a spot called Battle placed In Wol- 
sey's time the councillors to my Lord of Duresme ordered that the inhabi- 
tants and husbandmen of Bondgate should have to farm a ground called the 
Battelfeld. The subject will occur under Bathele Hospital and Badlefeld 
Chapel, and as it is said that "Wtyn $ultu£ CaeSar foa£ a tag, 23oirjt£ 
CaStle foa£ a famous tijutg," j perhaps I had better leave Blackwell Battle 
and Castle to a like misty antiquity. One might easily multiply instances 
of similar titles given to places without even a tradition of blood, indeed at 
present such places are the chosen resorts of fairy elves. What would 
Tower Hill (or Castellarium as Ralph Surteys calls it in an early charter) at 
Middleton be without the sweet little folks who wash their clothes in the 
Tees, or Pudding-pie-hill§ near Thirsk without the philanthropic race who 
furnish puddings and pies and vouchsafe subterranean music on Pancake 
Tuesday to the giddy little votaries who run round and round the hill first, 
stick their knives in, and apply their buzzing heads to hear those glad strains. 
Blackwell anyhow is a lovesome vill, but the innocent thraldom of fairy land 
notions will clothe its verdant mounds and fragrant flowers with a more 
abundant elegance. 

When the sun is westward flying, 
Cloudless tints of crimson dying, 
Fitful lovers farewells sighing, 
Kine by hedgerows idly lying ; — 

When through the wood-lined vale of Tees 
Sweeps a mild and whispering breeze, 
That brings to Crooks and Grimsley Gill 
The freshness of each pebbly rill, 
And scatters scents from blossomed leas 
On hawthorn bounds and wedded trees ;\\ — ■ 

When mists of murky eve are thrown 
Where stately stood the altar-stone, 
And sweetly chimed the sanctus-bell 
In Baydale's fair and free chappelle ; — 

* See page 19. + Beauties of England and Wales. 

X Denham's MSS. There was a Battellawe at Hawthorne in 1 1 Jas. I- Badayle is an arch- 
aism for Battle. See Halliwell's Diet. § Said to have had a watch tower to Thirsk Castle. 

|| In one part of the estate, behind the old Tithebarn,an ash and a sycamore spring from 
one hugh trunk : so closely did they cuddle when young. What would the good Miss Allan 
have said to them ! She, like the maiden queen, had no appreciation for ends and determi- 
nations put to virgin estates in her household, and invariably dismissed any offending 
members of her miniature court. One poor fellow's affection was too mighty for him, and 
he rushed into the matrimonial Charybdis. A gentle hint to depart of course followed, but 
the love-stricken victim never left Grange. He shot himself there, and hence, perhaps, 
originated many a thrilling tale of ghastly complexion, which used to be told of that plea- 
sant place. 



120 THE NEVILLE MANORS. 

When homeward peasants tread the path - 
Through pastures green to Blackwell Wath ; * — 

Castle Hill and Neville's dell 

Brighten under elfish spell, 

Voices ring around the well,f 
Light as murmured hum of bees ; — 

And with echo soft and long 

Midst the wild and gleesome throng 

Sinks to sleep the gentle song 
Of the maiden sprite of Tees.J 

The manor of Oxen-le-field was also among the possessions of the lady- 
loving lord, as well as some burgage property in Tubwell adjoining other that 
had been granted off under a yearly rent, and in Northgate. 

By letters patent, 1574, the Queen granted to Thomas Brickwell and Andrew Palmer, 
the messuage called Oxnetfield Grange, to hold of the Crown by the 40th part of a 
knight's fee. A free-rent of Zl. 6s. 8d. was due from the premises to the Bishop of Dur- 
ham. In 1602. Palmer released to Brickwell, who in the same year sold to William 
Bore. Before 1700, Oxneyfield was purchased by the Milbankes, and is still parcel of 
the entailed estate. 

A lease of Oxen-le-field had been granted to Henry the 5th Earl in the decadence of 
the family. The truth is that he got the fortune of his step-daughter Margaret Gas- 
coigne (daughter of Sir Henry Gascoigne, of Sedbury in Richmondshire, by Margaret 
Cholmley afterwards the Earl's second wife) and gave her the lease in its stead. The 
editors of Spelman's Sacrilege of course attribute the misfortunes of the later Nevilles 
to their possessing certain dissolved monasteries, and it seems that the Deanery of Dar- 
lington may be addsd to them. The lady's wardrobe is interesting. 

" An Invitory of all the goods and cattells wich were Margaret Gascoigne's, single- 
woman, within the bishopbrick of Durham, lait deceased, at the whyt friers in London, 
praised by Thomas Lacy, gentilman, Anno Domini, 1567, the xxiiij. of March. 

" First, one lesse of grang called Oxnold Feld night Dallington, maid by the Right 
honorable Henry lait Erie of Westmerland, to hir in recompenc of hir child's porcon 
wich he had remaining in his hands of the yerely value of foi., the rents paid and all 
other paments discharged. Item the said erle did by his last will and testament geve 
and bequith vnto hir all that his interest and lease for terme of yeres wich he had in the 
deanrye of Darlington of yerly value the rents paid, &c, of xR She nether aught 
any debts nor yet gave any legaces.- -First a goune of chaungable taffatie laid one with 
gold laic 665. 8d. A goune of silk grogram laid one with silke laic 46s. 8d. One old 
goune of moccado 265. 8d. Two kirtells wherof one of changable taffatie th' other of 
grogram 305. Two peticotts thone of skerlet th' other of stamell 355. Two frenche 
nodes with lytle billiment of gold 66s. 8d. Other necessary apparell 26s. 8d. Summa 
of the apparell 14/. I85. 4d"§ 

A survey was taken 14 June, 1570, of the Lordship of Raby by Com- 
missioners. They reported the Castle as being " tenne myles from Darne- 
ton," a " marvelouse huge house — yet ys there no order or proportion in the 
buylding thereof— lyke a monstrouse old Abbey, and will soone decay, yf it be 

* The old ford. The friendly ferry was but a few paces further on. f In Well-garth . 
X Peg Powler was no malicious naiad slow-gliding on the silvery stream. I believe her pil- 
ferings were solely prompted by excessive affection for the "bonny bairns" she bore away. 
<5 Surtees Soc. Wills and Inventories. 



LORDSHIP OF RABY. 121 

not continually repayred, yt standyth so open — upon the greate waste called 
Feuds Fell and Weredale."* 

1632. Feb. 12. Contract between the citizens of London and Sir Hen. Vane for lands 
within the Lordship o\ Raby, viz., Raby, Bolam, the Carrs in Staindrop, Langleydale, 
Langleydale forest, three parts of Strickley parks with the mill there, Darlington, 
Langton, Somerhouse, Houghton, Stillington, and Pethraw, all of the yearly rent of 
166£. 3s. 6c?., and lands in the Lordship of Barnardcastle, rent 1161. 16s. 3c?., the two 
lordships sold together at the rate of 35 years' purchase for 9904?. lis. 3c?.t 

1577. Richard Barnes, Bishop. He soon wrote to Lord Burleigh 
about his stubborn churlish flock, who shewed but Jack of Napes charity in 
their hearts, and who slandered him " according to the Northern guise, which 
is never to be ashamed however they bely and deface him whom they hate,^ 
yea though it be before the honorablest/' He calls the church of Durham an 
Augie Stabulum, " whose stinke is grievous in the nose of God and men." 
The crown soon demanded more than the discharge of his duties, and extort- 
ed leases every year. 

In 1578 the watermills of Darlington and Blackwell were granted to the queen for 
forty years, rent 22?. She granted them to William Appleton. Barnes's second wife 
Fridesmunda, was sprung ex illustri ac generosa Giffardorum familia, and was related 
to the Darlington family of that name. Hutchinson gives her epitaph at St. Andrew's 
Auckland, as being in brass, partly on the verge of a stone in which a female figure is 
inlaid, and partly above and near the figure. The effigy is that of an ecclesiastic, and 
the inscriptions are all on an oblong brass on another stone. The Bishop died in 1587. 
His dau. Elizabeth in. Robert s. of Ralph Talboys of Thornton Hall, esq., and his son Tim- 
othy Barnes, gent, lived there in 1594 when he acquired Hunden Closes in Bondgate, late 
of John Barnes, of Hanghton, clerk. His daughter Fridesmunda was born at Auckland 
in 1616. In 1621-2 he filled public offices here, in 1623 he recovered in the Borough Court 
from Tho. Atkinson one goulde twinge inamled or 19s., and in 1624 was surety for Robert 
Barnes. The Rector of Haughton-le-Skerne was an unscrupulous chancellor for his 
brother the bishop and a bitter enemy to Barnard Gilpin ; he acquired lands from 
Henry Killinghall, gent., in 29 Eliz. He had two daughters of whom Margery (event- 
ually sole heiress) m. Wm. Lambton, of Stainton, esq., who left two daus. and cohs.,viz. 
Anne, m. to Nich. Chaytor, esq., and Margaret, m. to John Killinghall, esq. 

1594. Before giving a narration of a martyrdom in Darlington, it must 
be observed that it was not professedly for religion that the poor man suffered, 
but for high treason, a circumstance which drags it into this division of my 
book. The severities against Papists and Puritans in Elizabeth s reign are 
startling. It is true that the seminary priests were generally downright 
rebels, plotting and corresponding with the enemy continually ; it is also 
true that all dissenters were very aggravating in their conduct. " Roaring in 
time of divine service in the queer" was not a solemn way of diffusing opin- 
ions at Bishop wearmouth ; the " slacke comers to church " at Whitburne 
were also "common scouldes," and the Harrisons of Barnard-Castle did wrong 

* Gyll's MSS. quoted by Allan. + Allan MSS. R. H. A. 

t This is in fact rather a compliment than the reverse. We were not backbiters. 

R 



122 MARTYRDOM OF 

in ''pipeing and dancing in divine service-time on the Sabaoth," however 
much they might hold the Protestant observance of that sacred day strict 
and puritanical. However, the poor folks of Rome were sorely tormented. 
If they did not go once a month to church,* they were imprisoned, if then 
they did not conform, they were banished, and if they returned, the penalty 
was death. Priests made by Roman authority were forbid under pain of 
death to come into England, and from 1577 to 1603, one hundred and twen- 
ty-four priests, and fifty-seven laymen and women for harbouring them, suf- 
fered the extreme penalty. 

I have given an instance or two in the foregoing sentences of recusant buffoonery 
from Surtees's MS. notes out of the Spiritual Court books. My readers will thank me 
for a few more extracts of odd cases. 

Gateshead. 1677. Rich. Wilson for enclosing a burial place for Secretaries (Sectaries) 
— Bp. Wearmouth. 1613. Grace Burdon for denying the dark's wages — she laid the 
blame on her son Tho. Burdon who had the money, and I suppose spent it. — Alice 
Colin of the same place " confest that she is an outrageous scolde and a disquieter of the 
neighbourhood whereby much disquietnes doeth arise," absolved on admonition. — 
Whorlton. Sad complaints against Alice Lawson an outragious papist for pulling forth 
Rauff Heighley's servant out of his stall in church time, and interrupting Alison Heigh - 
ley in her stall in the chappell.— Sedgefield. John Atkinson for brawling in church and 
drawing his dirke or dagge before he left the same upon Geo. Brabin. — Cockfield. offic. 
contra Will. Lodge p. suspic. ad. cum Margar. Lodge. Appeared and cleared himself 
saying that she was "a very decrepite ugly old woman,"" and that he had not the least 
suspicion, &c, but thought the information came of the malice of Kitty Stevenson, late 
servant of Widow Lodge, detected for stealing " a pare of lether britches belonging the 
said widow and some other plough geare." — 1615. Offic. contra Edw. Blackett, gent., 
on a similar charge. Lyonel Fargeson, a piper of Wolsingham, deposed, that " about 
nine yeares since he married Isabel Sympson, having then a child of two yeares old 
called Mary Blacket, born at the house of the said Edward Blackett at Hoppeland, and 
which he promised to maintain, and to give the said Isabel two-pence a week, but hath 
never given nothing save 105. Qd. in money in all nine years ; a grote at another time and 
an ould pair of britches not worth a boon, three shillings, &c, &c. 

In 1523, Ralph Swalwell was chaplain of St. James's Chantry in the 
Bishop's Palace at Darlington, and the family in after years was evidently a 
suspected one. In 1570 Thomas Swalwell, Curate at Ebchester, Medoms- 
ley and Brancepeth successively, was accused of having upheld confession, 
"abusinge the example of the tene leapers, whome Christ commaundyd upon 
there clensinge to shew themselves to the prest," but he denied that and other 
charges.*)- Poor George is said to have been born at D arlington, the place 
of his execution. He was ordained in 1577, became reader or curate at 
Houghton- le- Spring, and was presented by the Master and Brethren of Sher- 
burn to the vicarage of Kelloe, but Bp. Barnes refused institution, claiming 
the presentation himself. The remainder of his life will be found in the fol- 
lowing extract from Challoners Missionary Priests. 



r> 



* At the last sermon preached by Archbp. Hutton at York, the Popish recusants who 
were present in obedience to orders, were so obstreperous that they were obliged to be 
gagged. t Sur. Soc. Dur. Eecl. Proc. 



GEORGE SWALWELL. 123 

George Swallowell* was l)ovn in the bishopric of Durham, and brought up in the 
protestant religion ; and for some time officiated in the double capacity of reader and of 
schoolmaster at Houghton-le-Spring, in the same bishopric. Going one day to visit a 
catholic gentleman imprisoned for his recusancy, and falling in discourse on the subject 
of religion, he was so closely pressed by the gentleman upon the article of his mission, 
and that of his prelates, that he was forced, by way of a last slip, to shelter himself un- 
der the queen's spiritual supremacy, and to derive their commissions from her authority. 
The gentleman exposed to him the absurdity of making a woman, whom St. Paul did 
not allow to speak in the church, the head of the church, and the fountain of ecclesias- 
tical jurisdiction ; and treated so well both this and other points of controversy, that 
Mr. Swallowell, who was none of those who are resolved to be rebels to the light, yield- 
ed to the strength of his arguments. And not content privately to embrace the^truth, 
he, not long after, publicly professed from the pulpit, that he had hitherto been in an 
error, but was now convinced that they had no true mission in their church, and therefore 
he would no longer officiate there. 

Upon this he was apprehended, and committed to Durham gaol, and, after a year's 
imprisonment, was brought to the bar, at the same time with Mr. Bost and Mr. Ingram, 
and stood between them, At first, through fear of that cruel death to which he was 
condemned, he yielded to go to the church and to conform to what the judges required 
of him. Whereupon Mr. Bost, looking at him, said, George Swallowell, what hast thou 
done? At these words of the confessor of Christ, he was struck with a great damp and 
confession, and desired the judge and the lord president (who at that time was the earl 
of Huntingdon) for God's sake to let him have his word again. To which the judge re- 
plied, Swallowell, looJc well what thou doest ; for, although thou be condemned, yet the 
queen is merciful. But still he craved to have his desire granted. Then the judge an- 
swered, If thou be so earnest, thou shalt have thy word again, say what thou wilt. Then 
presently he recalled what he had formerly yielded unto, and courageously said, that in 
that faith wherein those two priests did die, he woidd also die ; and that the same faith 
which they professed, he did also profess. With that Mr. Bost looked at him again, and 
said, Hold thee there, Swallowell, and my soul for thine : and with these words he laid 
his hand upon his head. Then the lord president said, Away with Bost, for he is recon- 
ciling him. Upon this his judgment was pronounced, which was, to be hanged, drawn, 
and quartered at Darlington. 

Upon the day designed for execution he was brought two miles off the place on foot, 
and then was put into a cart, where he lay on his back with his hands and eyes up to 
heaven, and so was drawn to the gallows. To terrify him the more they led him by 
two great fires, the one made for burning his bowels, the other for boiling his quarters ; 
and withal, four ministers attended him to strive to bring him over to their way of 
thinking ; but he would not give ear to them or stay with them, but went presently to 
the ladder, and there fell down upon his knees and continued for some time in prayer ; 
then making the sign of the cross, he went up the ladder, and having leave of the sheriff 
to speak, he said, / renounce all heresy : and spoke some other words which were not 
well heard by the people ; with which the sheriff being offended, struck him with his 
rod, and told him that if he had no more to say he should go up farther, for the rope 
should be put about his neck, which being done, Mr. Swallowell desired if there were 
any catholics there they would say three paters, three aves, and the creed for him : and 
so making the sign of the cross upon himself, he was turned off the ladder. After he 
had hung awhile they cut the rope and let him fall ; and the hangman, who was but a 
boy, drew him along by the rope yet alive, and there dismembered and bo welled him, 

* From a manuscript in my hands, and from bishop Yepez's History of the Persecution, 
I. 5, c. 5, who had his informations from letters sent over from England, two months after 
Mr. Swallo well's execution. Challoner. 



124 GEORGE SWALWELL. 

and cast his bowels into the fire. At the taking out of his heart, he lifted up his left 
hand to his head, which the hangman laid down again ; and when the heart was cast 
into the fire, the same hand laid itself over the open body. Then the hangman cut off 
his head and held it up saying, " Behold the head of a traitor ! " His quarters, after 
they were boiled in the cauldron, were buried in the baker's dunghill. 
He suffered at Darlington, vulgo Darnton, July 26, 1594* 

Bost suffered at Dryburn,-)- and Ingram at Newcastle. 

1589. Matthew Hutton, Bishop. His son, Timothy Hutton of Marske, 
died in 1629, "anno ultimw patientiw sanctorum," \ having charged his son 
always to keep a Lemte in his house. 

Timothy Hutton of Blackwell, m. Margaret Corneforth ( qu. dau. of Cuthbert 
Cornforth of Blackwell, and bap. 1598.) in 1621, and had issue Elenor, bap. 1622, Anne 
1623-4, (bur. 1634) Christofer 1629, and Robert 1634. Par. Reg. 

Robert Hutton, S. T. P., Rector of Haughton-le-Skerne, desires in 1619 to be buried 
" in the Quyer at Haughton, neere his wyfe's stalle, under the blewe stone in the east 
side of the churche." Anne, the daughter of this reverend man (venerabilis virij, m. 
John Vaux, or Wausse a gentleman of Darlington, who proceeded in 1616 against 
Rowland Vasie for unjust detention of a book called Jo. Vigo, damage 20s. and ob- 
tained an order for the redelivery of it to Richard Packering (formerly steward of the 
Borough Court), at Darnton, at or before Great Monday next after Martinmas. Vasie 
next courted Vaux for unjust recovery of Jo. Vigo, damage 25s., the latter made default 
and lost. (Condemnatur.J 

1595. Toby Mathew succeeded as Bishop ; ripe in learning, eloquence, 
and wit. He said that he could as well not be, as not be merry, and when he 
left Durham for York, that it was for lack of grace, for according to a home- 
ly Northern proverb, York has the highest rack, but Durham the deeper 



1597. Sep. 21. Captain Slouch buried. (He died of the plague.) Par. Reg. 
1599. John Evered, a soldier on travel (miles peregrinus), who died in Blackwell, 
buried. Par. Reg. 

* A little variation occurs in a Brussels printed Church Hist, of England from 1500 to 
1688, of 1732, where it is said that " Boast observing Swalwell to be somewhat intimidated 
during his trial, and that his answers insinuated something of conforming, clapped him on 
the back, saying, " George, take courage, my Soul for thine, all will be well, take courage?' 
Upon this Swalwell recovered himself from the consternation he lay under, and went 
through the remainder of his trial with great resolution ; the Jury brought him in guilty of 
death for being proselyted to the Church of Rome. He was attended to the place of exe- 
cution by four ministers of the Church of England, whose assistance he refused with a 
great deal of good manners ; he kneeled down at the foot of the ladder, and made a public 
profession of the Roman Catholick faith. He suffered at Darlington 26 July, 1594, and his 
body was thrown into a hole near the Gallows. 

f Near Durham. When turned off the ladder, he was instantly cut down, and standing 
on his feet was butchered alive. At the taking out of his heart he said aloud, " Jesus, 
Jesus, Jesus, forgive thee." Toby Mathew, his college friend, exclaimed " It was pity so 
much worth should have died that day." 

X Monument, Richmond. 



adapter JffiL E\)t Stuarts. 



JBarntan JjaS a fconm), bonny rfjurd), 

OTttf) a broad) upon tf)e sftetple: 
SSut Darnton te a murftp, mucfen tofon, 

&ntt matr jefyam on tfje people.* 

So says this rude old rhyme now, so said King Jamie, and Defoe a century 
ago considered that Darlington had " nothing remarkable but dirt, and a 
high stone bridge over little or no Water/' And though any condemnations 
did not come well from the mouth of that royal oddity, whose skin was so 
soft and irritable that he could not bear to wash it, who was always tumbling 
into fluids impure while hunting in most clumsy wise, and whose tongue was 
so large that he could not drink without bespattering the bystanders ; yet it 
must be owned that a town whose streets were only lately paved in 1749,-f* 
and were described in ] 790 J as being very dirty in winter not being paved, 
had a very good title to the terms " Dirty Darnton," and " Darnton iY dirt/'§ 
In olden times, however, people put up with much more than they do 
now. Each house had a dunghill on its fore front. As late as 1710 it was 
ordered " that every one keep their dunghill in winter well shuffled up, and 
that the same be carried away before Whitsuntide/' and though in 1 621 the 
householders Were to keep and cause to be sweeped the street clean before 
their doors, and cause the mire and dung to be carried away, the injunction 
was but little regarded. The old orders occur again for a grand removal be- 
fore Whitsun even, or as in 1631 before Midsummer. Nor were they the 

* Denham's MSS. The same saying with change of name is afloat respecting Chester-le- 
street. Broach is a Northern word for any spire ; in Leicestershire and other districts it 
signifies a spire springing from the tower without any intermediate parapet. In York- 
shire it is broitch, as" Wakefield broitch." Darlington broach is very famous as a land- 
mark. "Aye, I got in seet o' Darnton broach." From Roseberry Topping 
" Fair Darlington's tall spire, emerging, gleams." 
I always think of a good roast goose on seeing it, for broche is a spit, a spire being point- 
ed like one. 

f Universal Magazine. J Lnckombe's Gazetteer. 

§ " The weavers are all out o' wark 
For the mills are all at a stand, 
The combers are all out o' wark tee 

And there's nut a bit wark to be fand : 

Sae wee'll all to Stinking Shildon, 

For it's ower wi' Darnton-in't-Dirt, 
Sae wee'll all to Stinking Shildon, 

And the Deevil tak Darnton -in't-Dirt. 
[Var : And Dirty Darnton may gang to the Deevil.] 

A verse from a modern -song- 



126 JAMES I. AT 

smaller streets only which were so treated. The Market Place and the 
King's Street (any thoroughfare), are the places named in the orders.* 

It was in April, 1 61 7, that James I. proceeded to have another look at 
his ancient lands. The usual order does not occur till May, so he would 
have full advantage of all dunghills, sandholes, and other nuisances. A mi- 
nute and very general tradition represents the king arriving at the old Mud- 
house in Tub well-Row. This fabric, which is still remembered, was where 
Watson the saddler's shop now stands, and its rough material was tastefully 
beautified with cows' horns intermixed here and there. Within were " the 
wainscotted room," and " the little wainscotted room," in the latter of which 
the king slept on his journey to Scotland, the event being commemorated by 
a panel which I cannot follow the fate of, but some of the other woodwork 
is in the hands of Mr. Wm. Kitching. Unless the monarch was very closely 
boxed up in travelling, I do not see why he should be unaware of the dirt 
and designation of Darlington, but perhaps he was in the humour for one of 
those quaint flights of subacid humour for which he was so famous ; how- 
ever he opened his window and popped out his head to enquire " where he 
had got to V' "Darnton" was the reply. "Darnton ! — Humph ! — / think it's 
Darnton it' Dirt'' exclaimed James, with the success attendant on all royal 
wits, and ever since the byname has been perpetuated. Doubtless the dung- 
hills were much worse favoured objects than the beatific lands of wealth- he 
surveyed from the high place on which he sat above Houghton-le-side, at his 
first arrival, and which still delights in the name of Legs Cross. 

Two inns only are mentioned at this period, the Bull Inn (next the Bull- 
Wynd, where the Bulmer crest is still ascendant), and the Crown, in the 
Well Rawe, bought by Rowland Bur don of the heir of Margery Lassells in 
1 629.* Was not the latter the very house where James abode ? His grand- 
son was memorialized on the sign of the Royal Oak on the High Row, where 
the king in the oak and a fat Roundhead or two beneath were fairly pour- 
tray ed. The house so adorned was thatched like many other houses in the 
same row, in the memory of seniors yet alive. 

I should like to know what James would have said to the dismal deeps of Cat-kill 
Lonnin. A visit there could not but have been gratifying to the Royal crusader against 
witchcraft, and the awkward huntsman. It is the lane which intersects Newtown and 
leads from the great North road at Travellers' Rest to Sadberge and Yarm, being for- 
merly much used by waggons and carts in conveying lime and coals to the farms further 
South, and to many parts of Cleveland. But the roads of Great Stainton are improved 
and railroads are still better, so the lane at Newtown is seldom used, and in most parts 
is in a wretched state. It is called Sadberge, Broom, or Cat kill Lane or Lonnin. The 
Broom has now disappeared, with the exception of a single plant which sprang from the 
ground where much soil had been removed, and perhaps had remained there as a seed 
for centuries. As for the name of Cat-kill, a friend well recollects a nursery tale when 
he was young, reciting that during some night in the year (it was either Halloween or 
April fool een or some other een), all the cats in the neighbourhood for many miles 



DARNTON IN THE DIRT. 127 

round held their meeting and bivouacked in a particular place in the lane, holding an- 
nual consultations, devising future schemes, planning, plotting and contriving, mewing 
and squalling. There were black cats, white cats, grey cats, yellow cats, and not a few 
tortoise-shell cats ; and the story goes on to say how they dispersed prior to day break, 
and how the most dreadful noises and horrifying screams caused by their disagreeing 
and fighting were heard. For the latter amusement was not to be wondered at, seeing 
that so many outrageous and belligerent creatures were congregated together ; and in 
proof of all this marvellous narration's correctness, if any person visited the place next 
morning, there laid before him the ground quite saturated with grimalkin gore — nay 
more, to remove every doubt as to assassination and slaughter having been the order of 
the night, six, eight, or ten bleeding male or female tabbies were sure to be found, laid 
grim, gelid, and ghastly, where the infernal conflict had been lost and won.* 

And yet this place of horrid deed is in summer very fair. There grows the witches- 
vervain (fit denizen of such a spot), the veronica, the valerian, the elegant and varied 
eglantine, the wiling woodbine, the creeping bryony, the fragrant thyme. The wild 
strawberry furnishes fruit plentiful, large, delicious, and the blackberries, bumblekites 
or brambles, are so abundant that their votaries readily come five and six miles for 
them. Many a basket is annually taken thence to Darlington and there sold for mickle 
profit, and in the season it is very usual for parties to call with their baskets or tins at 
Newtown to enquire the nearest road to the far'famed Cat-kill. But in winter, woe be 
to the luckless traverser of that miry way. 

At the end of Cat-kill Lonnin, where four roads meet near Stainton, is Patie's Nook, 
a place of ghastly grey renown. Patie's beer-house was a place of no very good asso- 
ciations in any way. One market-day, at Darlington, two farmers, Pringle and Race, 
fell out sadly, and Pringle threatened " Before the sun rise to-morrow, I will be revenged 
of you." Race passed through Haughton, Pringle after him, and that was the last time 
that he was seen alive. Two butchers intended to halt at Patie's Nook at midnight, 
but looking in first, they saw two men by a glimmering light ; one supported a dead 
man's body bleeding from ear to ear, the other held a basin to catch his blood. The 
butchers fled in horror. It was conjectured that Pringle and Patie burnt poor Race's 
body in an oven, but no evidence was procured ; the murderers escaped, and the vile den 
has wholly passed away. 

James had a namesake who became Bishop James in 1606, and who was 
fairly scolded to death at Durham by King James, so roundly that he re- 
tired to Auckland and died of a violent fit of stone and strangury, brought 
on by perfect vexation three days afterwards. The cause was, perhaps, the 
bishop's contest with his citizens relative to privileges and representation, or 
his neglect in the Darnton journey in not brewing any ale for the king, till 
within five days of his visit to Durham. 

The two James's had met before, when the king on his first arrival was feasted by the 
Lord of Lumley, whose pedigree was expatiated on by the future bishop (some relation of 
the family) without sparing him a single ancestor credible or incredible, till the Scotch- 
man wearied with the eternal blazon, exclaimed " Oh ! mon, gang na further ; let me 
digest the knowledge I ha gained, for, by my saul, I did na ken Adam's name was 
Lumley." The expression was cutting, and came as ill from the monarch's mouth as 
his Darlington one did. Thoresby was delighted in 1703 at seeing at good Mr. Parker's 
the pedigree of King James from Adam, probably something like the marvellous genea- 
logy of his ancestors in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, which deduces Ethelwulf from 
Woden and 34 other barbarous old fellows to Sceaf, " that is the son of Noah, he was 

* It is probable the idea is founded on fact. It. is well known that a moaning. cat has 
often drawn together crowds of pussies, whose " horrid sympathies" ended in a frightful 
massacre of each other. See Bewick's Quadrupeds. 



128 BISHOP MORTON. 

horn in Noah's ark ;" and from Noah to " Adam the first man, and our Father, that is, 
Christ. Amen." 

John Lumley, gent., of Archdeacon Newton (second cousin of Henry Blakiston, of 
the same place) who was buried at Darlington in 1638, was son of Roger Lumley, " that 
dyed in the jayle," and was "buried in the queer" of S. Mary-le-Bow, Durham, in 
1606, of the Asselhouses or Axwell branch. Cassandray Lumley, a daughter of John 
Lumley, was bap. 1639, and a lower family of the name runs throughout the registers. 
Lovil Lumley was a weaver in 1716. 

1617. Richard Neile, Bishop. One of the most unprincipled flatter- 
ers of James I. 

1620. Sep. "Symon Giffbrd, of Darnton parish, gent., for not shoeing 
one private corslett," and other parties upon a muster for Darlington ward 
(Aug. 11.), having " contemptuously by their defaults hindered, and in a sort 
frustrated that his Majesty's service/' the Bishop orders Mr. Fra. Wrenn, 
of Heighington, and John Dowthwaite, high constable in Darnton Ward, to 
summon the offenders before him. J. B. Taylors MSS. 

1627-8. George Monteigne, Bishop. 

1628. John Howson, Bishop. 

1632. Thomas Morton, S. T. P., a man after the fashion of Tunstall, 
succeeded to the bishoprick. The Darlington ringers received " for ringing 
at my Lo. Bpp's. [Howson] first coming" 2s. 6d.,* but they got a penny 
more for a very equivocal compliment to the new-made bishop in this year, 
" To ringers at my Lo. Bpp's. going out of the countrey 2s. 7d." 

I add a few more bellringing charges, of a very turncoat spirit. 1632. 
For ryngynge for the kynge, 2s. 3d. 1651. Payd the ringers when Wor- 
cester defeate was, 5s. 1660. To the ringers upon proclaiminge the Kinge, 
and for a sacke of cool es, 8s. 3d. 1668. For taking down the great bell, 
1/. 10. ; for hanging her up, in all, and wages, 10s. 1678. July 8. Paid 
the ringers at the Duke of Monmouth his return 5s. [after his campaign 
against the Scotch Covenanters and the victory of Bothwellbrig.] 1 684. Feb. 
16. To ringers when king James II. was proclaimed 10s. 1688. To the 
ringers on thanksgiving day for the young Prinse-|- in money, ale, and coles, 
7s. 4<£ 14 Feb. For tarr-barrell, coles, and ringing a peele 2s. 6d. 1689. 
Ringing for King William's victory .... 1690. For coales, tar-barrells, 
and ringing on the victory in Ireland, 6s. 4<d. 1767. To a half-hour glass 
for the bell ringers Is. 1 790. John Longhorn, he declining being any 
longer a bell-ringer, 3s. 1795. Bell-ringers, Prince William of Gloucester, 
past through Darling-ton in a coach, 9s. Do. on the Duke of York going 
to and returning from Newcastle {good, in pencil) 18s. 1800. Mar. Bell- 

* Par. Bks. 1630. 
t The Pretender, introduced by Swift in lines on the prayer prepared by the bishops of 
Chester, Peterbrough, and Durham (Nathaniel Crew.) 

Two Toms and Nat. in council were sat 

To rig up a new thanksgiving, 
With a dainty fine prayer, for the birth of an heir, 
That's neither dead nor living. 



CIVIL WARS. 129 

ringers, on a victorj T , but name forgot, 9s. 1808. Fancy ringing nights 
and mornings, 51. 5s. 1818. Bell-ringers, (Queen's funeral day), very hard 
day, 21. 4s. 1819. Bell-ringers on Prince Leopold passing, 16s. 1827, 
Sep. Bell-ringers, Marquis of Cleveland, 18s. Do., Duke of Wellington, 
11. Is. 1832. Bell-ringers, on Earl Grey passing through Darlington, 12s. 
I, of course, do not give a tithe of state ringings. In 1832, were two or three 
Reform Bill ringings. 

They were evil times that I enter upon. The register and parish books 
show this. 

1637. June 29. Hugh Spencer, servant of Henry Ellstobb of Darlington, who died 
a violent death, buried at Armitage* heade. 1638. December 17. Beatrix Harrison of 
Darlington, who died a violent death, buried p. Black well lane. 1639-40. January 17. 
Jane, wife of John Sigswicke of Darlington, who died a violent death, buried. A 
great many Scotch and soldiers occur. 1640. Aug. 26. John, a soldier, whose sur- 
name was unknown, soldier, buried. 1643-4. Feb. 12. Patricious Davison, soldier, 
buried. 1649-50. Obedience, dau. of Henry Paris, soldier, was buried. Puritanical 
names are excessively rare in the Darlington registers. Faith Robinson had placed faith 
in Cuthbert Stricklin before her final act of faith, on July 28, 1633, when she married 
him, for their son was baptized in November following. 1655. Henry Casson, liew- 
tenant to Captain Hargrave, and Dorothie Perkins, of Darlington, marryed att Hen- 
knowle, by Francis Wren, esq. 1658-9. Jan. 15. Christopher Allinson, a trouper, 
whome was under the comand of Maigor Ginkins, drowned besides Ketton Bridg, was 
buried. 
1635. To a souldier which came to the church on a Sunday, 6d. 1648. To three 
companies of Irish, Is. 1649. To a gentlewoman that came from Ireland with a 
passe, 6d. 1650. To three company es of Irish travellers, Is. These were, probably, 
persons who fled from the horrors of the Irish rebellion. 

In " a taxation upon the county of Durham towards 2000 li. to a ship to be 
sent out a°. 1636/' occur the items ;— The tithes of Newton, Blackwell, and 
Cockerton, value 70/. ; Darnton Deanery, with the tithes and glebe there, 
200/. ; William Bower, of Oxnetfield, 1001. ; Peter Boubanke, of Darling- 
ton, 150/. ; Thomas Long, of Blackwell, 50/. ; Cuthbert Robinson, of 
Cockerton, 50/. ; William Middleton, of Blackwell, 50/. ;f all in the division 
of Mr Richard Cornforth. Many other obnoxious orders for ship money 
occur on the county. 

1639. Much alarm was caused by the Spanish Armada being prepared 
in great strength this year. Sir Robert Dudley, Sir Griffin Markeham, and 
Sir Guy Stanley were colonels in it, " also there is one Nernl, who termetk 
himself Earl of Westmerland, who hath a great command." % Whatever 
were its intentions, it was totally defeated by the Dutch. 

* I have no other record than the name about the hermit's lowly dwelling place. Ed- 
ward Robinson, of Hermitage vulyo Banck Top, was bur. 1712. It adjoined the Horsemill 
on the E. See under Mills. 

+ Randall's MSS. The ecclesiastical revenues were taxed at 2 per cent, the personal 
estates at 13s. 4c?. per cent. 

X Rushworth. Who was this Neville ? The luckless lord of 1569 died in 1601. And where 
are all the Raby records I From Collectanea Curiosa (ii. 218) it seems that the Lord Bar- 

S 



130 THE FOSTERS. 

1639. Among the gentry of the bishopric charged with the equipment of 
light horse for the service of Charles I., is his unfortunate northern expedi- 
tion, " in which the solemn league and covenant first reared its hydra head/' 
occurs, " Mr. Francis Forster, of Darlington, a horse/' 

See the Forster pedigree in Surtees, making Francis the son of Christopher* (will 
1580) by Maid d. and coh. of Geo. Fennyet of Darlington, potecarye, who, by will, 
mentions his daughter Maid Forster, her children Francis, Margaret, Jennet, Christofer. 
But this George Fenney and his wife Margery, settle their burgage on le well rawe, 
(subject to rent to Charles, Earl of Westmoreland,) in 4 Eliz., on Cuthbert Foster and 
Matilda their daughter in liberum maritagium, and Cuthbert sold it with quoddam pan- 
num e crinibus confectum, anglice a Mine haire, to the JefFraisons who sold to the 
Giffards. There seem to have been two Fosters of the name of Francis,^ one of whom 
(who m. Elizabeth, dau. of Richard Heighington of Graystones, gent.) bought Nichol- 
son's Hill and Croceflat,§ sold by his son Richard of Morton and Darlington, who (with 
a younger son, Mr Thomas Foster of Darlington, papist, ||) had a s. and h. Francis, of 
West Hartburn, (the Killinghall manor or Forster House, which passed to the Rev. W. 
Addison Fountaine) and he had a son John. " Here lies the body of Margaret Foster, 
wife of John Foster of West Hartburne, gentleman, and daughter of Thomas Askue [of 
Dinsdale, Yorks.], gentleman. She was buried the sixteenth day of March, and in the 
year 1694." M. I. SocJcburn. 

Jane Foster, illeg. d. of John Foster and File Rogerson of Darlington, bap. 1633 

nard had them not, and that Mr. Carte could no where find them. They were missing so 
early as 1616 when the commissioners after minute enquiries in the neighbourhood, were 
content to learn from viva voce testimony the metes and bounds of the long lands which had 
passed in one race for so many centuries. Did they follow the unfortunate earl across the 
sea in Jcistes, or were they destroyed by the powers that were ? 

* A Christopher Foster occurs here in 31 Hen. 8. The name is almost invariably Foster 
rather than Forster. 

f Daughter Eliz. Bellamy e, her children Cuthbert, Thomas, Margaret, and Elizabeth — 
dau. Alice — nephew Christofer Ilee, 41. per ann. out of Clarybutts (see Ile) — nephew 
Robert Ilee a house in Darlington — brother Christofer Fenny a goulde ringe. "Was not this 
George the brother of James Fenny, potticarie, of Newcastle ? who, by will, (1560 ?) leaves 
to " my brother George's doughter Janne one silver sawlte with a cover doble gilte beinge 
my lesser salte and syxe silver spones of the maydenheddes; my said brother his daughter, 
Elizabethe Fenny e, one playne pece of silver contening xiiij unc'; his dowghter Mawde 
Fenne fyve poundes towarde her marriage; brother Xpofer Fenee." Surt. Soc. Wills. 

£ Margery d. Francis Foster bap. 1593-4 (m. Mr John Wilkinson of Barton, and had 
issue Francis Wilkinson of Monkend, near Croft. — Marmaduke Gill, merchant, who dyed at 
Mr. Francis Wilkinson's of Darlington, bur. 12 May, 1654. Timothy Wormely, the son of 
Henry Wormely of Rickell, esq., who dyed att Mr. Francis Wilkinson's house, bur. 18 Aug., 
1654. Dar. Par. Reg.) Richard Foster and Jennet Robinson, 1593, (she d. a widow, 1638). 
The wife of Francis Foster bur. 3 September, 1597 (plague). Robert Foster, bur. 1598. Jen- 
net, d. Francis bp., 1601. Christopher s. do. bp. 1603, bur. 1606. George do. bp. 12 May, 1605, 
bur. 1605-6. (Francis Foster of Darlington, and Elizabeth Heighington of Graystones, 
19 May, 1605, Haughton.) Cicily w. Francis Foster of D.bur. 26 Apr., 1606. Richard s. 
Francis, bap. 15 Mar., 1609-10. George do. 1612-3. (Three infants bur 1611, 1615, 1616.) 

§ Also lands at Middleton, High Moore, and Swyneflatt from Ralph Hedworth, gent. 
Marmaduke Surtees granted them in 1566 in trust for John, son of Richard Hedworth of 
Whickham and Ann his wife, granddaughter of Marmaduke. Anne Hedworth, widow, 
and Ralph, her son, and Eleanor, his wife, alienated in 1612 and 1619 to Place and Forster. 
Ralph Hedworth of Darlington, gent., bur. 1627; Elinor, widow, 1628. (Nicholson's Hill 
was sold lately by R. H. Allan, esq., to John Pease, esq.) 

II By a second marriage. Elizabeth, his first wife, was hurried in 1634-5, when her dau. 
Margaret was bap. 



THE GIFFORDS. 131 

(He was s. of Christopher, mentioned in Geo. Fennye's will, and bur. 1618, and was bap. 
1614). Mary, wife of Robert Foster, buried with her infant, 1667. John s. of John 
Foster of East Witton, in Wensadaill, a stranger, pro cujus educatione manucaptor est 
Guilielmits Clarke, bap. 1615. (Undertakers for the bringing up of every filius nullius 
and stranger's child, seem to have been compelled to enter into an obligation deposited 
with the churchwardens. The Register is full of such minutes. Chargeability to the 
parish was thus sought to be guarded against.) 

Francis Foster was a disclaimer in 1615, but in 1649, Richard, his son, conveys the 
Greets, and Nicholson Hill, parcel of Nesfield, sometymes of Henry Killinghall, esq., 
with the seate or pewe in the churche belonginge the premises, and uses a seal with the 
Yorkshire Fosters' coat, a chevron between 3 bugle-horns, while his son Francis, on the 
same document, oddly seals with the raguly bend and garbs of Killinghall, having per- 
haps picked up such a seal on the premises. Richard also used the device of the pelican 
and her young. 

As to Simon GifFord, * the contemptuous subject of 1620, and purchaser of Forster's 
Neville property, he lived in a cheefe house in Priestgate, and Prebend Row, (forming 
the angle), having bought part of the Prebendal passessions in 1619, of Darley and 
Crompton. He sprung from a very ancient family of Staffordsh. and Bucks , and 
displays a gallant shield in the Durham visitation of 1615, GifFord (Gu. 3 lions 
passant in pale ar.) quartering Kirkstowe, Vaulx, Winslow, and Nunsegle. His father 
was John GifFord, priest, and his eldest brother was Robert Gifford, f of Darlington, 
whose only son (by Jane, d. of John Prestland, of Sounde, Chesh.,) John was bnr. in 
1591-2. In 1604, Elizabeth Jenyson, of Walworth, widow, bequeathed "to Mr. GyfFord, 
of Darneton, a booke, being a conference betwixt Doctor Whitguifte and Mr. Cartwright, 
and 40s., and to his wief sixe silver spoones with apostles' heads, \ and to his brother 
Simon GyfFord 405." Simon was the fourth son, and m. 1. Meriol, d. of John Middleton, 
of Blackwell, in 1604, she d. in 1630, and he m. 2. Dorothy Anderson in 1637-8, (Mrs. 
Dorothery Gefforth, bur. 1675.) who was, probably, sister (and bap., 1584, at St. Nich., 
N.C.) of Roger Anderson, § who m. Jane Bower, of Oxenlefield, children of Francis 
Anderson, alderman, of Newcastle. By Meriol he had issue, 1, Colonel John Gyffbrd, 
of Coulovolye, co. Cork, bap. 1604-5, conveyed the Prebend-row property to his bro. 
Robert, in 19 Cha. IT. 2, 3, Roger, Nicholas, d. inf. 4, William, bap. 1609, living 
1615. 5, Elizabeth, bap. 1616-7 m. Nicholas Swinbome,|| clerke, 1639. 6, Frances, 

* Giffard in the registers. The G is soft. Gefforth or Jefford was the popular pronunciation. 

+ In the register of his son's burial, the word m'ri (magistri) is inserted above his name, 
an unusual title in the early registers here. 

X It was the custom to decorate the Icnoppes of spoons with saints, angels, apostles, 
scallop shells, lions, our Lady, or maiden's heads. Spoons so decorated were, and plain ones 
still are customarily given in many places at christenings or on paying the first visit to a 
lady in stramine. 

§ Mr. John Anderson, the son of Sir Henry Anderson, knight, of Long Cowton, in York- 
shire, bur. 1668. See a Naboth sort of story in the Star Chamber record (8 Car. 1.), given by 
Rushworth, about Sir Henry Anderson coveting to gain the rectory of East Cowton from 
one Bacon, who refused to sell it. Maultus, a factotum of Anderson's, met Bacon in East 
Cowton, bidding him get out of the town, like a skipjack fellow as he was, or else he should 
be ^beaten out, and afterwards picking another quarrel, took hold of his horse bridle and 
struck him on the breast with a staff in the presence of Sir Henry, who, after one Green 
had also beaten poor Bacon about the neck and shoulders with a pitchfork, said that he 
was not cudgelled half enough. The knight and his son Henry, Green and Maultus were 
committed to the fleet and heavily fined, besides paying 100?. to the stricken Bacon. These 
Andersons came from Newcastle also. 

Susanna Manors, the wife of Henry Manors, gentleman, who was tabled with Mr. Ander- 
son, was buried, 1654. Par. Reg- 

II Roger Sioinburne et Linslcell sepult. 26 Feb., 1590-1. The latter name is also spelt 
L inscale. The mode of registry is curious. 



132 CIVIL WARS. 

bap. 1619. Both these lasses are remembered in the will of Dame Elizabeth Freville, 
(dau. of Eliz. Jenison above,) in 1631. 7, Robert, master and mariner, Kingston-upon- 
Hull, bap. 1628-9, succeeded to the Neville burgage, and died before 1669. His son 
Robert, merchant, Hull, joined his mother, Ann, in selling the whole Prebend-row and 
Tubwell row properties to the Boulbys (Pierremont, the seat of Hen. Pease, esq., is built 
on part of Boulbys 1 Lands) in 1688. 

In 21 Jas. there was a decree in the Durham chancery against Simon Jefford, for 
" the newe erecting of a horse milne within his burgage, and hawking and grinding of 
corne of the burgesses, &c, within the Borough, and the coppyholders, &c, within 
Bondgate and Gockerton." 

1640. Aug. 28. The victory of Newburn (where the Scotch artillery so 
frightened the English army that Sir Thomas Fairfax, one of their com- 
manders, did not stick to own that till he passed the Tees, his legs trembled 
under him, *) having, in fact, given Leslie's morose army of Scottish 
covenanters, with their blue ribbons, in profane allusion to Numb. xv. 38, 
possession of Northumberland and the bishopric, where their extortions 
were excessive, the bishop fled to Stockton castle, and Dr. Belcanqual, the 
dean, (who as runaway Doctor BalcanM has become proverbial,) was still 
more hasty in his flight, having written the king's large declaration against 
the Scots. Strafford received intelligence of the defeat at Darlington, "14 
miles south of Durham, and about 26 miles from Newcastle, and as far 
from York/' He had purposed to have been with the army before any 
engagement ; but now endeavouring to make the best he could of an ill 
business, he sent a messenger to the army, requiring the chief officers to 
ralley all scattered forces and to keep close in a body and march into York- 
shire. The same day the king advanced to Northallerton towards the army, 
" being ten miles short of Darlington/' anticipating a personal encounter with 
the Scots, but on the sad news reaching his ear he hastened back to York. 
On the 30th, the earl issued the following order, in pursuance whereof the 
majority of the country people drove their cattle and sheep into Yorkshire, 
and removed most of their families thither also.-f- 

" The Earl of Strafford, Lord Lieutenant-General of his Majesties army, to all Sheriffs, 
Constables of the Peace, High Constables, and other his Majesties officers: — Whereas 
his Majesties army is now marching from Newcastle to Darlington, and the villages 
thereunto adjacent. These are specially to require you, and the rest of the High Con- 
stables, to use your utmost diligence in causing to be brought hither, by four a clock 
this afternoon at the farthest, all such quantities of butter, bread, cheese, and milk, as 
you can possibly furnish, for the victualling of his Majesties said army, which, being 
brought hither by the several owners, I shall take special care to see them justly satis- 
fied the price of their commodities; it being his Majesties gracious intention there shall 
be no burthern nor oppression to his Majesties good and loving subjects. These are 
likewise farther to require you, that with the assistance of the Justice of Peace adjoyn- 
ing, you give order for the taking away of all the upper milstones in all the mills in 
that your ward, and to bury or otherwise to break them, that the said mills may not be 
of any use to the army of the Scotch rebels. You are likewise to require all his Ma- 

* Burnett. t Rushworth, ii. 1239, 1240. 



CIVIL WARS. 133 

jesties subjects to remove all their cattle and other goods, as soon as possibly they can, 
out of their countrey into places more remote and of greater safety for them, until the 
return of his Majesty, which will be very shortly, by the help of God, that his good 
subjects may be powerfully secured from the fears and dangers threatned by the said 
rebels. Given under my Hand and Seal, at Darlington, Aug. 30, 1640. — Strafford. 

A grievous tax of 350/. a-day on the county, by the Scots, followed, with 
hay and straw ad libitum, (sans recompense). By the Kipon treaty it was 
agreed that the Tees should be the bounds of both armies, and that 850/. 
a-day was to be levied out of Northumberland and Durham, Westmoreland 
and Cumberland,* which burden continued till August, 1641, when the Scotch 
received 60,000/. for disbanding, and government stood indebted to the pala- 
tinate in 25,663/. 13s. 10c?. in balance. 

1640. A royalist broadside is preserved in the Bodleian library, and is published in 
Richardson's Table Book, Leg. Div. i. 199 entititled " Good Newes from the North. 
Truly relating how about a hundred of the Scottish rebels, intending to plunder the 
house of M. Pudsie, (at Stapleton in the Bishoprick of Durham), were set upon by a 
troupe of our horsemen, under the conduct of that truly valorous gentleman Lieutenant 
Smith, lieutenant to the noble Sir John Digby; thirty-nine of them (wherof some were 
men of quality) are taken prisoners, the rest all slaine except four or five which fled, 
wherof two are drowned. The names of them is inserted in a list by it selfe. This was 
upon Friday about fore of the clock in the morning, the eighteenth day of this instant 
September, 1640." 

The English troop are described by being " not far thence," j. e. from Stapleton, 
and Darlington, Piercebridge, or Blackwell is very probably the station meant, indeed 
they must have been as near, for the ballad says, 

Atfoure o'th clock i'th morning, 
(Let all the rest take warning,) 

About a hundred of these rebels came; 
To M. Pudsefs home, S$c. 



The English went 



with all speed to Stapleton, 



With all courage they rode on, 
While Jockey was drinking his last carouse. 

And yet a note at the end says, " At Stapelton, three miles beyond Peace bridge, wee 
met with the Scots at 4 of the clocke in the morning at Master Pudseys house in the bishop- 
rick of Durham at breakfast/' Those who fled " escaped by Croft bridge, where they 
say they made their randevous," and two, in their hurry to depart, were drowned as 
some alledged. On the list of thirty-eight prisoners are "Sir Archibald Douglasse, 
SergentMaior to Collonel," " Ja. Ogley (Ogle), Sergeant to the said Mayor," and "Allen 
Duckdell, a dutch boy, wounded/' 

The moral is that as the pitcher may go so often to the well that it may come home 
broken at the last, so Archibald Douglas may take great preys in 1327, and his name- 
sake be taken in 1640, and that it is well to get your business done before beginning to 
eat and drink a solid Friday's breakfast. 

* Rusliworth. 



134 CIVIL WARS. 

1 642. Prince Rupert landed at Newcastle " with armes and ammunition, 
and, as it is said with money ; such speed hee made thence to his majestie, 
as his neck had like to have suffered a prejudice mere Darneton. The 
passage at Tinmouth, wotwithstanding the supposed guard of shipping is 
very easie, the parliament is farre off, and sees not the connivance." Speciall 
Passages, fyc. 

In November, the Earl of Newcastle (afterwards Marquis) formed the four 
Northern counties into a Royalist association. Of it the " Fairfax corre- 
spondence" says : — 

" It is now more than time to provide against this Northern storm. Sir Christopher 
Wray, Captain Hotham, and Captain Hatcher, with their three troops of horse, and 
four companies of foot, advance towards the bishopric of Durham— venienti occurre 
morbo. At Damton they have the first advantage, which, by lighting upon a troop of 
the enemy which resisted little, gave good fleshing to their soldiers. For, besides the 
routing of it, it struck such a terror through the bishopric of Durham, that itself could 
not be confident of its security. 

Here was the Danish Ambassador met with, whose errands might have merited a 
worse entertainment than a fair dismissal; but his comrade, Colonel Cochrane, escaped 
not so well; whose interception (to some well known) was not of the least consequence. 
From Darnton they proceed to Percie Brigg, a place fortified by the bishopric forces, to 
make their pass by into Yorkshire. Here they fell upon their works, and not without 
success neither. Here was the first man of note slain on either side, since this storm 
begun. Colonel Thomas Howard, with .... men of his; and not one lost, nor above 
three wounded, on the other side. 

" But this was a hold too tenable to be forced. From hence our friends take the 
courage to invite the encountering of my Lord of Newcastle, and press it as a thing 
feasible. Brave resolutions had need of other judgments ; for, had we had forces enough 
to encounter them, yet had we without any coercion opened the pass to the Yorkists, 
to have fallen upon our best friends in the western parts of Yorkshire, which, yet for 
the satisfaction of those who desired it, was not altogether declined; but how difficult a 
thing it would be to regain it, after an encounter of equal hazard, every man may safely 
judge." 

The Marquis, Dec. 1, forced the passage, " with great cannon," after a 
sharp conflict, with a small party of Fairfax's horse, under Hotham, on his 
march to York. 

Blackwell seems to have had a sad time of it. In April, 1 64<6, " by reason 
of the inordinate multitude of Scotch soldiers who have disturbed the town 
of Blackwell, the tenants there, who owe suit to this court, dare not come 
forth from their houses/' and are excused. (Halmot Bks.) The following 
extracts from the township books will give an idea of the heavy burdens of 
our ancestors. 

1656. The sesses at Blackwell were "at pound" 2s. for repaire of bridges, 14s. for the 
armie and navie, and 4s. for other disbursements, among which I find, 

For a laime souldier at Jane Harrison al night, 4c?. For four baggage horses to Aller- 
ton, 2s. 8d. To a souldier going to his colours, 2c?. Fixing of a common muskitt, 6d. 

1657. Aug. 14. To a man that had losse by Dunkirkes, 4c?. Dec. 29. To a man 
and wife that had great losse by Dunkirkes, Is. Jan. 9. To a souldier and his wife 2c?. 
To two men with a passe from Colo. Wren, 4d. 



CIVIL WARS. 135 

1658. Among the sesses of Blackwell is one of " 3s. at li. for procuring knightes and 



For a lame souldier his nightes lodging, 2c?. — for earning him to Dar'n on horsbacc, 2c?. 

1659. To a lame souldier with a passe, Ad. — for six baggage horses to Allerton, 2s., 
they receiving Is. a peece ther per hire — for five horses to Durham, who received Is. 
hire ther a peece, 35. 4c?. — for three horses to Durham more than state wages, 35., and 
for a boy to helpe bacc with horses, 6c?. — for the constables charges going with them 2s. 

November the 23th. 37 of Capt. Bircle his draggoons quartered in Blackwell for five 
dayes, at 16c?. per diem for man and horse. 

December the 3th. A parte of Capt. Backhouse his horse quartered in Blackwell for 
twenty dayes, at 20c?. per diem for man and horse. 

December the 24th. Capt. Palmer with ensigne and 70 of his men quartered in 
Blackwell, one day. 

(These lusty fellows, with Lamber's armie, swallowed up a sesse of 45?. being 155. per 
oxgang. Captn. Hoyles and his man with 71 of his footmen belonging to General 
Lamber, were quartered in Blackwell on the 21st. and received 8c?. a day.) 

1659-60. Jan. 7. 98 baggage horses and 60 men belonging General Monkesf were at 
Blackwell for two nights and a day cast after 8c?. a man and 6c?. a horse more than they 
paid. On the 10th, 108 foot under Colo. Emerson arrived for three days, at the rate of 
4c?. a day for a man, and 40 men and one horse for other three days. On the 19th 39 
baggage horses and 20 men stayed one night, 2c?. per horse, 4c?. per man, and on Feb. 
18, 51 of Capt. Hardstaffe's men were quartered two days at 8c?. per day, to the total 
cost of Blackwell township of 18?. 05. 8c?. 

1644. April. Several matters of minor warfare took place in the early- 
part of this year between the royalists of the north and Leslie's army, which 
came to the assistance of parliament. The disasters of the former in York- 
shire dragged the gallant marquis of Newcastle away. He marched on the 
13th from Durham to Auckland, and from thence, the next day, to Barnard- 
castle and Piercebridge. At the same time Leslie broke up his camp at 
Quarrington and moved to Ferry Hill, and next day to Darlington, where his 
horse came up with the rear of the marquis's army, and made some prisoners. 
The marquis entered York on the 19th, and on the 20th Leslie joined Fair- 
fax at Tadcaster. The fatal fray of Marston Moor completed the king's 
ruin in the north. 

1646. The act of Parliament passed for abolishing episcopacy, and 
another soon followed for the sale of bishops' lands, 

A valuation of the temporalities of the bishoprics was taken in 1647, when the sale 
of episcopal lands commenced. All the residences and manors of the Bishop of Durham 
are returned. The present rents and profits of Darlington yearly were 262?. 55. lc?. and 
the improvements above per annum, 306?. 135. 4c?. — (Rawlinsons MSS.J 

1651-2. The style of the borough court was " The Court Barron of the Right hon. 
Sir John Wollaston, knt, John Fookes, James Bunce, William Gibb, Samuell Addy, 
Tho. Arnold, Chr. Packe, John Bellamye, Edw. Hooker, Thos Noell, Ric. Gilde, Wm. 
Hobson, Fra. Ash, Jno. Babington, Law\ Bromfeild, Alex. Jaaces, Ric. Veiner, Ste. 

The palatinate was admitted to the previously unknown privilege of parliamentary 
representation during Cromwell's usurpation. 

+ Why was such an out-of-the-way place as Blackwell chosen in such important 
marches ? See the histories for the effects of Monk's proceedure. 



136 RICKATSON THE RECUSANT. 

Eswicke, Rob. Meede. and James Storye.* John Middleton, gent., baliffe; and George 
Dale, gent, Seneschall." In 1657 it was " of the Right Worll. Stephen Eswicke, esq., 
alderman of the city of London." George Kirby, gent., filled Dale's place. In the same 
year May 5, Richard Hilton occurs in his stead. 

1645. The Court Halmot of our Lord Charles, now king, &c, (the temporalities of the 
bishoprick being in the hands of the said king by virtue of orders of Parliament. — 23 
Cha. 1., of John Wollaston, knt., and the other trustees as above. — 1652, of the Right 
Worshipful! Steven Estwick, Esquire, lord of the mannor of Darlington, &c. — 1659, of 
the Right Hon. Robert Lord Tichburne and three others aldermen of the city of London. 

1647. April 11. Buried, -f- George Kickatson of Darlington, gent, a 
recusant, and consequently a sufferer. 

He married, firstly, Alice bur. 1623, Aug.; and, secondly, in the succeed- 
ing January, Jennet, the widow of Robert Warde, (who had a son Chr. Wai*de,) and sued, 
in 1624, for money lent to John Guye, deceased, by Warde, andfor the detention of one 
clothbayte, damage 3s. 8c?., for one yarde of sage culloured broade baze sold by Warde 
to Guye, and one yearde and a halfe of cotton 3s. Qd.% 

He was steward for the borough from 1617 to 1633 or later, with a slight hiatus in 
1626-7 when Richard Mathew, gent., occurs on the change of bishops. In 1625 he and 
the bailiff, Thomas Barnes, were both fined in their own court for overstiht on Brankiri 
Moor. The jurors were in truth independent to a fault. In open court, in 1622, 
Thomas Sober " stubbornlie refused to serve of the lordes jurie saying he could not serve 
for he had other business to goe aboute," and the following year Richard Wood attended 
and said he would not serve, Of course, both were fined. The bailiff", Barnes, refused 
to accept the verdict of the jurors in 1629, and the steward would not hazard the respon- 
sibiliy of taking it, so that court Was useless. The suitors were little better. Henry 
Shawe, a defeated plaintiff, was fined in 1622 for saying in court that the jurors " hadd 
not donne j-ustice betwixt him, Eastgate and Beecroft," and in 1625 John Chambers, 
jun., for exclaiming youe will do the devill; Icaire notapinnefor your fyninge, " mean- 
ing if he were fyned for his misdemeanor/' 

Rickatson was probably a backslider, for he served as churchwarden in 
1623. He compounded as " George Rixon of Darneton, a convicted recu- 
sant" in 1632 with the Recusancy Commissioners at York, by a lease to be 
made to him of his majesty's two-thirds of his lands for 41 years if the same 
should so long be forfeited by reason of his recusancy, rent 40s. All actions, 
debts, and forfeitures were stopped and remitted for 201., and the rent was 
paid till 164.., when the property passed away. 

A gentlemanly race of Huttons were settled at Walworth, Cockerton, and Woodham. 
In 1551, Ralph Hutton of Walwoorth, gent., settles property in Sunderland, Woodham, 
and Darlington on himself, rem., as to Sunderland and half of Darlington on George his 
s. and h. ; and Woodham and the other half of Darlington on Robert, his younger son, 
for life, rem. to George. By his will, the same year, this Raff Hooton bequeaths " my 
souli to Almightie God my Creator afld redemor, and to our blessed ladye Saynt Marye, 

* These were the parliamentary trustees. 

+ From an affidavit with the Beckfield deeds, R. H. Allan, esq. The registers were 
very carelessly kept, and his name does not occur. 

$ Borough Books. The Wards were a gentlemanly family, abounding at Hurworth, 
Dinsdale, and Darlington. Robert Ward m. Janet Roukwood at Darlington, 1595. Robert 
Ward, borough bailiff 1606, a disclaimer 1615. 1627, Robert Ward of Over Dinsdale, co. 
Ebor. yeo-, settles a third of various borough lands, some ner Clararubutts, to uses. Isabel 
Ward of Darlington, an old maid, bur. 1695. 



RICKATSON THE RECUSANT. I37 

and to all the hollye companye of hevon ; my bodye to be buryed in the parishe churche 
at Heighington, with my mortuarye due and accustumed." Having three rings of gold 
not equal in value he gives them to his daughters according to ages, the best to the elder, 
His heir received the rich portion of " a silver salt with silver spoones and a silver pece." 
Some burgages in Derlington (not settled) were destined for Robert for life, on paying 
thereout 20/. to his sisters ; if he refused, George the reversioner had the offer, and if 
this hard-hearted wretch also declined property saddled with so vast an incumbrance 
(which after all was no joke in those days), parental fondness directed it to be sold, and 
the money divided among the daughters. Had George left male issue it is evident the 
younger son would have had to make the best of his bequests while he lived ; however, 
events turned out favourably for him. The testator left him executor, and appointed 
his " welbeloved cosinges and frendes Roberte Tempest of Holmset,* John Hooton of 
Hunwike, William Smythe of Eshe, Edwarde Perkynson of Beamont-hill, Francys 
Perkynson the yonger, and Nycholas Yonge of Heighington supervisors. Then follows 
one of those legacies, so common in old wills, to a superior. " To my landslord, Mr. 
William Askughe, knight, and to my ladye his wyfe, and to Mr. William Askughe 
there eldest son to every e of them one old iy all for a token to the entente to be good to my 
children!' The policy of remembering the heir of a declining feudal lord is self-evident. 

George removed to Sunderland, where his sister Mary had married one Biggins, and 
granted to her and her two sons, Christofer and Henry, his Sunderland lands, and to 
Henryef and John Biggins, two other of her sons, his Darneton moiety. His brother Ro- 
bert sorrowed to see it go out of the name, and George in his will of 1618, after reciting 
the grants, and that " my brother Robert seemeth discontented and threatneth sutes 
whereby my bondes for performance of said grantes may be endangered to the great 
greafe and troble amongst freinds," offers him a bait of the moiety of all Darneton 
landes not yet disposed of, and all Woodham, on condition of his confirming the grants, 
a proposal too good to be slighted. He also gives his niece Margaret Foster 41. per ann. 
out of these lands " not yett passed awaye." He had previously granted a lease of half 
of them to his sister Margaret Huton, of Sadberge, for thirteen years after his death. 

The moiety granted to the Bigginses had been the inheritance of Robert Millott, esq.;}; 
and was composed of lands in Cockerton and Bondgate. They sold them to George 
Rickatson, of Darlington, yeoman, formerly when of Thornton in Cleaveland a lessee 
of the property under George Hutton. A dispute soon arose with George Parkinson of 
Hagghouse, trustee § for Robert Hutton. Arbitrators in 1624 insisted that " the said 
parties shall be lovers and freinds/' and the moieties of Huttorfs Lands were set out. 
Robert and his son Thomas, then gentlemen of Cockerton, || received property in Hun- 
gait, Brankinmoore, Symson's feild and adjoining Cockerton, the Banckeclose, Winter - 
feild nigh Stooperdaill, Stooperdaill and Kelley Meadowes. Rickatson took the decayed 
fruntstead and garth next Mr. Thomas Barnes his house, the Beckfeild and Elley hill 
" being sommer ground frome the gait neere Norgait bridge unto the gait adjoyning 

* He was attainted with his son Michael for the Rebellion of 1569, and fled. His cousin 
Grace married Cuthbert Hutton of Hutton- John, in Cumberland, esq. Cuddy's family bore 
cushions in their shield as well as the archbishop's people of Lancashire, but their crest 
was two eagles'' heads erased in saltire entiled with a coronet. The Huttons of Walworth, 
and the Bigginses always sealed with the figure of a bird of uncertain genus, neither on 
shield nor wreath. The Hunwick Huttons bore an eagle displayed, with an ostrich's head 
between two ostrich wings expanded, holding a horseshoe as a crest. 
+ Had she two sons of that name \ 

% Hutton, then of Durham, bought the property in 1574 of Thomas Melott of Whitell, 
par. Chester, esq. § Robert married Anne Parkinson 

at Witton Gilbert in 1597,and settled his lands on George and on Wm. Parkinson of 
Northfolk, co. York, gent-, as trustees in 21 Jac. 

|| Robert Hutton of Cockerton, gent. bur. 1633 ; Thomas of do. 1630 ; Jane of do. widow 
1644-5. 

T 



138 BARNES THE DELINQUENT. 

upon Grainge Close Loaninge."* Hutton went to Woodham, and his descendants long 
held the property there. 

One may almost trace the decay of the wearied victim of Protestant persecution. His 
elaborate signature, the key to his identity in various capacities gives way to a rude 
mark Geo. R. in 1641, and in the following year, he with his son and heir William, 
an apothecary of Westminster, sells to Wm. Priscott for 445/., two parts of one cottage 
in Darlington, found by inquisition and certified into his Majesty's Court of Exchequer, 
and three little crofts not so found,t and Beckfeild and Elley-hill ; 100/ was to be re- 
tained till a discharge was obtained from the Exchequer, but in 1646, for 20/. allowed 
out of the purchase money, Rickatson was released from further trouble and Prescott 
agreed to discharge himself. 

Bickatson's fellow officer, Barnes, lost his estates in another way. The 
following singular document will explain itself. 

"xvijmo: die Aprilis 1646. Dunelm. — Whereas Buhner Priscott late of Darlington, 
deceased, was indebted to mr. Thomas Barnes of Darlington aforesaid, likewise deceased, 
as by a bond thereof may appeare, and whereas the said Thomas Barnes and William 
Barnes, his sonne, were both of them delinquentes against the state so that by ordinance 
of Parliament the said debt is nowe become due to the state, and upon payment thereof 
to the estate, the said Bulmer Priscott and his executors and administrators by the said 
ordinance of Parliament is to be discharged of the said bond and all penaltyes touching 
the same. And whereas William Priscott, sonne of the said Bulmer Priscott, hath this 
day payed and satisfyed to this Committee or such as they have appoynted for that pur- 
pose the aforesaid summe and debt of Twenty pounds. It is therefore thought fitt, and 
so ordered by the said Committee, That the said William Priscott and Margarett Pris- 
cott his mother, and the executors and administrators of the said Bulmer Priscott shall 
from henceforth stand and be clearely freed and discharged off and from all penaltyes, 
payments, forfeitures, and losses touching the said bond, or by reason of any clause or 
condic'on therein conteyned. Given at Durham the day and yeare above said, Richard 
Lilburne. — Geo: Lilburne: — Geo: Grey. — Jo: Hall: — G: Vane: — Chr: Fulthorpe. 
- — Fran : Wren. — Cl : Fulthorpe. 

Aprill the xvij 1646. — Received of William Priscott of Darneton, the some of fower- 
teene pounds, fower shillings, three-pence, in part of twenty pounds oweing by his father 
Bulmer Priscott, late deceased, to William Barnes delinquent, I say received for the use 
of the Commonwealth the some of xiiij/e. iiij,?. \\]d. Jo. Middleton." 

1649. Sep. 27. William Barnes having paid his full fine, the Commissioners for 
compounding, freed his estates from sequestration. The next clay he was in trouble 
again, and gave a bond for payment of 388/. by instalments of 50/. which was paid by 
1654-5 and the estates freed again. His estates in 1650 let for 148/. 65. 8d. and stood in 
the book of rates at 80/. ; among them occur Glassin' sikes,$ Winmill hills, Hendons, 

* Title deeds, R. H. Allan esq. 

f Rickatson made sure of a cottage and three little crofts (not found) bypassing them to 
Prescott, who in 1642 settled them on the recusant's daughter Elizabeth and her heirs, rem. 
Meriott wife of Mat. Cooper and Margaret Rickatson his daughters and heirs, rem. Wm. 
his son. The roundheads were extremely harsh to the popish recusants, as well as to the 
members of the national church, yet Prescott, the buyer up of recusants' and delinquents' 
lands, evidently acted kindly to them on the sly. Matthew and Meriott had loved not 
wisely, but too well. Their illegitimate son, Christopher Rickatson, alias Cooper, was bap. 
23 Mar. 1641. 

X The statement in page 12 is not quite correct. The moiety of a moiety of a moiety of 
an oxgang passed from Robert Bowes [of Bondgate] and Margaret fGregorie] his wife in 
1642 to the Turners who bought the other moiety from the Gregories and sold to John 
Theobalds, 22 Cha. II., who held a field called Polam, " parcel of the office of the pinder in 



CROMWELL AT DARLINGTON. 139 

[Heddons] behind Cockerton, and Thornbeck hill. WastelVs house and some other pro- 
perty were sold by him in 1654 to Wm. Priscott, grosier, for 5251. and for one white 
faced coult. Micklemyres, an estate of Richard Oswold of Neither (Low) Consley, was 
doubly sequestered : first, in respect of John Wytham of Cliffe, a recusant who had lent 
money on it ; and second, in 1644, of William Barnes who had a lease of it. Oswold 
sold it to Prescott, and the land was freed from sequestration in 1653 * no trust appear- 
ing for Wytham, and Barnes's lease having run out. 

1648. Nov. 4 A soldier under the command of General Cromwale 
buried. (Par. Beg.) Cromwell at the time was moving rapidly about in 
these parts, quelling the royalists. He had a meeting with the gentlemen 
of the four Northern counties, who agreed upon a petition to the Parliament 
for justice against delinquents, and for a Commission to be sent down to try 
such as they should apprehend.-f" 

1650. The Parliament caused the King's Arms to be defaced and expun- 
ged out ol all places of public worship, and courts of Judicature, throughout 
their Dominions \ : " to make the giddy people forget the Garlick and 
Onyons of Egypt then much hankered after." 

Accordingly we find in the Darlington Church Accounts the entry in 1650, 
" For defacing the King's Armes Is." This proved a dear job in the end, 
for in 1660 occurs " To John Deniss for y e drawinge y e King's Armes, 
1/. 18s. 6d. 

1653. An address to Cromwell and his council was presented from "many 
honest people" of the county of Durham, expressing their gratification at his 
goodness in performing his engagements " to God and this poor nation," and 
their adherence to him and his government, but it is signed by only one per- 
son of really ancient and considerable family, John Brakenbury. It contains 
the Darlington names of Jo. Middleton§ and William Priscott. The former 

Darlington," (the Polinpole of Hatfield's Survey) and the two moieties as Polam Hill, alias 
Glassensikes. In 1712 John Theobalds of Brafferton, gent, sold the latter property to the 
Warwickes of Whitwell in the Whyns, par. Catterick, who parted in 1727 to Robert Hylton, 
Surgeon. Hylton sold to Lawrence Brockett of Hilton, par. Staindrop, and joined in con- 
veying to the Wensleys three closes called Glassen-sikes, alias Heads Closes, from whom 
James Allan, esq., purchased in 1754 as Polam Hill alias Glazensykes. Polam had passed 
to the Lambtons before 1 790. I do not know the history of the Barnes portion of Glassen- 
sikes. Title Deeds* R. H. A. 1675, For lying the stippin stones at Glassinsik 2d. Bond- 
gate Books- 

* Title deeds, R. H. Allan, esq., in the old fashion, being enclosed in a little box covered 
with leather and lined with black letter scraps. I have seen more than one of these. 
+ Memorials of the English affairs, &c. (1682). 
X Britain's Triumphs, a coeval publication. 

§ The numerous Johns of this family are rather confusing. John (I.) who d. 1575 (see p. 
8) left a son John (II.) aged 18 in 21 Eliz. and buried 1631-2 as senior. John (III.) who 
lived at Blackwell-feild-house, occurring as junior till his father's death, must have been 
an extraordinary character. He married five times, and from Thomas, his child by his 
fourth wife being baptized 21 Oct. 1631, we may well imagine of his third wife bur. 23 Mar. 
1630-1, that in popular but expressive dialect he brust her heart. I give his wives as they 
stand. 1. Agnes Lightfote, m. 1607, bur. 13 Mar. 1610-1 as Anne. (Agnes and Anne were 

identical in those days). 2. Anne bur. 27 Feb. 1625-6. 3. Elinor Marshall, m. 27 

June 1626 (only four months after her predecessor's death) bur. 23 Mar. 1630-1. 4. Eliz. 
Gouldsbrough m. by licence 8 June 1631. I have already hinted at the sin attendant on 



140 THE COMMONWEALTH. 

in 1657 was appointed one of the perpetual visitors of Oliver's college at 
Durham, which, after some show of success, sunk in silentio at the Restoration. 

Bishop Morton after many troubles, died in 1659, and it is pleasing to 
observe old Sir Henry Vane, the arch-enemy of Bishops, assisting him to a 
comfortable income. 

1656. May. "The Commissioners for the county of Durham for secu- 
ring the peace of the Commonwealth," were sitting at Darlington, decimating 
estates and playing havoc among delinquents.* 

Then were the days when sword-slipers abounded and the craft passed from father 
to son. Anton Eastgatte, of Darlington, Well Row, Sword-sliper, bur. 1662. Anthony 
Eastgate, of Darlington, Sword-sliper, bur. 1682. A sword-sliper was properly the ma- 
ker of scabbards, but the word was of much larger acceptation. "Sword-sleiper, a dres- 
ser or maker of swords ; so used in the North of England ; and a cutler with them 
deals onely in knives." Blount. 

I throw together a few military entries here. 1707-8. A serjeant who travelling 
through this towne was seized with sickness and died, buried. — 1712-3. Robert, son of 
Dorothy Taylor, a stranger, (and as shee says) wife to John Taylor a lame soldier, bap. 
— 1720-1. William, son of Wm. Hammerton, who pretended to be married but could 
not make it appear, a dragoon in Captain Morgan's troop of Evans's Regiment, bap. — 

this marriage, and the Christian may almost trace retribution in the fact that the christen- 
ing of her child attended her own burial on Oct. 21 following. 5. Qu. Margaret Glover to. 
with lie. 10 Sep. 1632. The residence of the John Middleton she married is not recorded, 
and the draper might be meant ; however, our hero certainly did marry once more, for he 
had more children, — the first, Jane, being bap. Nov. 10 following. This John Middleton of 
Millfeild nighe Blackwell, and John his son of Darlington, yeoman, were trustees for Simon 
Gilford (who m. the elder John's sister Meriol) respecting some Neville property in Wel- 
i-awe. The younger John sealed with his initials as a merchant's mark and was doubtless 
the draper. Old John was bur. as of Blackwell Field-house, gent, in 1659. John (IV.) was 
a draper at Darlington ; the house at the corner of the Bull-wynd where the bull stands 
being described in 1666 as late in his possession. His republican and puritanical notions 
are at once discernable by the scriptural names abounding in his family, John, Nathaniel, 
Samuel, [William], Joshua, Sarah, Daniel, Deborah, Joseph. He is called gent, in the col- 
lege appointment, and being borough bailiff for the usurpers of the see must have been a man 
of education and rank. Mrs- Elizabeth Middleton of Durham, widow, bur. here in 1689 was 
perhaps his relict. His eldest child, John (V.) was bap. 28 Jul. 1633, occurs as minimus 
natu in attestations as distinct from his father who signed junior in 1649, and d. in 1659. 
His brother Joshua was a quaker and a freeholder in 1685. Nathaniel, (second son) was 
entered of Gray's Inn 1 655, held property here, but resided as gent, at Durham ; he mar- 
ried Thomasine d. of Richard Lee, of Durham, in 1655-6, and died 1692, leaving a son the 
famed "Lawyer Middleton," of Bee's diary, John, (VI.) Barrister-at-law , recorder of 
Durham and Richmond, bailiff of Darlington 1688, who to. Anne d. of John Harrison, of 
Scarbrough, " Mrs. Cradock's cousen," 1685. He d. in Feb. 1702-3, she in Aug. following, 
leaving poor little John (VII.) bap Sep. 1701, to shift for himself. And now for a bit of 
episcopal tenderness. His father being "eminent in his profession, and retained for the 
side against the bishop [Crewe the tory] on elections, held by lease for a footway, a piece 
of waiste for twenty-one years. Mr. M. died before the bishop nineteen years, and left a 
son two years old ; the lease run to within three or four months. About a month before 
the Bishop died he refused to renew, and made Grey his secretary enter in his own name. 
Grey would not let the young gentleman have it under twenty-five years— as much as it 
would be worth if freehold." (Gowland's MSS.) The " young gentleman" was an esquire 
of Durham, and dying in 1745 ordered his estate to be sold and divided amongst his five 
sisters (all older than himself ). 

* Hutton Correspondence, Sur. Soc. 



THE RESTORATION. HI 

1722. William, daughter of Mr. James Ramsey, a Captain in Clayton's regiment, bap. 
— 1729. Samuel Alcock, a dragoon in Capt. Ogle's* troop in Carpenter's regiment, bur. 
— 1737-8. James Cunnengham of Darlington, an old soldier, bur. — 1745. John, son of 
Dorothy Coates of Darlington, wife to Robert Coates, a private man in Col. Batterau's 
Regiment of foot, of which, the battalion he belongs to, is now, and has been a considera- 
ble time abroad, bap. — 1750. A male child left in Skinnergate by one John Williams, 
a disbanded soldier, and afterwards called by the same name, bur. — 1760. Alice, dau. 
of Marjory Sanctus (which must be translated zmholy) wife of Nicholas Sanctus, a sol- 
dier in Gen. OfFerril's Regiment and who has been abroad in America several years, 
bap. — 1760. Francis, son of Thomas Walker, late of Darlington, Woolcomber, now a 
private man in the Durham Militia. N.B. This child is about two years old, and, 
through the parent's neglect, only now baptized, [with a sister Mary, evidently to save 
expense. The custom afterwards became general.] 

In no place was the restoration of the king and bishops hailed with greater 
joy than in the north. Hope inspired the loyal lines, whose members had 
wasted their land and lives in the cause of the Stuarts, but they were woe- 
fully deceived, and nearly all the main gentry fell into the sere leaf of decay, 
borne down with sequestrations and incumbrances. 

Among the petitioners for the restoration of the " primitive government of the church, 
for the good of their souls, and the county palatine, for the safeguard and governance of 
their estate," are the Killinghalls, Wm. Barnes, Edw. Suerties, (Elizabeth Barnes's 
mother-in-law, wife to John Bncke, of Sadberge, gent., who dyed in the house of Edward 
Sureties, in Darlington, was buried June 17, 1657, — Edward Sureties, of Darlington, 
Head Row, bur. 1663,) with numerous neighbouring gentry, such as Ralph Willie, of 
Croft bridge, who had compounded as a delinquent. 

1660. John Cosin, S. T. P. Bishop. 

* In " Joaks upon Joaks, or no joak like a true joak " are some comical humours of an 
earlier military Ogle. According to this history, John Ogle was " the younger son of a 
gentleman in Northamptonshire ; his fortune being small, he quickly spent it, but his sis- 
ter, being mistress to the Duke of York, got him into the first troop of guards, under the 
command of the Duke of Monmouth." Of the tales here related, the following may serve 
as a sample : — " There being a general muster of life-guards in Hyde Park, and Ogle having 
lost his cloak at play, therefore he borrowed his ladyship's scarlet petticoat ; so, tying it 
up in a bundle, put it behind him, then mounted safe enough, as he thought. So away he 
went, but one of the rank perceiving the border, he gave the Duke of Monmouth some item 
of it, and fell into his rank again. The Duke, smiling to himself, said, 'Gentlemen, cloak 
all ' ; which they did, except Ogle, who, stammering and staring, saying, ' Cloak all, cloak 

all! what a must we cloak for ? It don't rain' : but not cloaking, the Duke said, 'Mr. 

Ogle, why don't you obey the icord of command ? Cloak, sir ! ' Said Ogle, ' Why, here then,' 
and peeping his head out of the top of the petticoat, saying, 'J can't cloak, but I can petti- 
coat with the best of you'; which caused great laughter among the whole company." 

In 1696, there was a sale of some property of Wm. Killinghall, esq., probably caused 
primarily by the civil wars. His steward states, that " Mr. Thomas Ogle bought all Mr. 
Killinghall's moiety of Stainton at 1650?., but bafied him out of 251. on account of a gentle- 
woman Mr- Ogle proposed as a match for Mr. Killinghall, which if he had married the 
purchase was to be 1600?. onely, bnt [he] was to pay 1625?." Robert Colling, of Long New- 
ton, who bought Haughton Field, also diddled him out of 10?., "by reason his money had 
laid ready some time; and Mr. Spearman calling in his 1600?. at this juncture wee were 
glad to comply with him and Mr- Ogle, by reason wee could not raise moneys any other 
way." ' Mr. Robert Hilton, of Stockton, bought a farm, &c. for 500?., and the lawyers were 
all growing fat out of the decaying squirarchy. — Rent Soils, R. H. A- 



142 



RECEPTION OF BISHOP 




[Sockburn Church-] 



" It is time to acquaint you with a petty triumph at the river Tees, at my Lords' first 
approach to his County Palatine, which I believe exceeded not only the entries of all the 
present Bishops of England into their Bishopricks, but all their predecessors. My Lord 
having notice that the High Sheriff, accompanied with the whole of the gentry of the 
county and the militia-horse, expected his approach, took horse a little before his coming 
to the river side. As soone as he came in sight of the banks the trumpetts sounded, and 
the gentry, with the troops of horse, all in one body, judged to be about 1000, moved into 
the midst of the river, where, when my Lord came, the usual ceremony of delivering a 
great drawne faulchion was performed, after which the trumpetts sounded againe, and 
great acclamations of the people followed; which ended, they proceeded in order to Dar- 
lington." — Miles Stapleton. Esq. to Bancroft (afterwards archbp. of Canterbury), 1661 
Aug. 23. 

" The confluence and alacritie of the gentry, clergy, and other people, was very great, 
and at my first entrance through the river of Tease, there was scarce any water to be 
seene for the multitude of horse and men that filled it, when the sword that killed the 
dragone was delivered to me with all the formality of trumpets, and gunshots, and 
acclamations that might be made. I am not much affected with such shews; but how- 
ever, the cheerfulness of the county in the reception of their Bishop, is a good earnest 
given for better matters, which, by the grace and blessing of God, may in good time 
follow them." — Cosin to Bancroft, Aug. 22, 1661. 



I do not wish my readers to be " troubled with worms,"' but let me mention that John 
Coniers, chivaler, as early as 1396 held by showing one fawchon, the manor of " Sock- 
burn, where Conyers, so trusty, a huge serpent did dish up, that had else eat the Bish-up, 
But now his old faulchion' 's grown rusty, grown rusty?' This formidable weapon consists 
of a huge broad blade, two feet five and a half inches long, fixed in a handle covered 
partly with ash. On the pommel are two shields :— 1, The three lions of England. 2. 



COSIN AT SOCKBURN. ] 43 

An eagle, displayed. The cross is engraved with the stiff, crisped foliage of the thir- 
teenth century, in which dragons, with long leafy tails, form very prominent features. 
This sword is the title-deed to the estate. On the first entrance of every new bishop of 
Durham into his diocese, the lord of Sockburn, meeting him in the middle of Neasham 
ford, or Croft bridge, presents him with the falchion, addressing him with these words : 
— " My lord bishop, I here present you with the falchion whereAvith the champion 
Conyers slew the worm, dragon, or fiery flying serpent, which destroyed man, woman, 
and child; in memory of which, the king then reigning, gave him the manor of Sock- 
burn, to hold by this tenure, that, upon the first entrance of every bishop into the 
county, this falchion should be presented." The bishop returns it, wishing the lord of 
Sockburn health and long enjoyment of the manor. 

The legendary tale is simply this, as described in Bowes' MSS.: — " In an ould manu- 
script which I have sene of the descent of Connyers, there is writ as folio weth: Sir John 
Conyers, knight, slew that monstrous and poysonous vermine or wyverne, and aske or 
werme, which overthrew and devoured many people in fight, for that the sent of that 
poison was so strong that no person might abyde it, and by the providence of Almighty 
God this John Connyers, knight, overthrew the said monster and slew it. But, before 
he made this enterprise, having but one sonne, he went to the church of Sockburn in 
eompleate armour, and offered up that his onely sonne to the Holy Ghost. That place 
where this great serpent laye was called Graystane; and, as it is written in the same 
manuscript, this John lieth buried in Sockburn church, in complete armour before the 



The grey stone is duly pointed out in a field near the church, as well as a trough, 
where, like the Laidley worm, the worm drank its milk, bathed itself, and returned to 
the river. The effigy is that of a fine knight of the 13th century, contemporary with 
the faulchion, his feet rest on a lion in mortal conflict with a winged zoorm or ask, and 
there is some tradition of the knight being covered with razors, (Lambton-like,) in the 
infernal fight, and that the horrid reptile is buried under the grey stone. 

Barbara Conyers, widow, bur. i8 April, 1591. George Conyers, 15 Nov., 1596. 
William Conyers, of Darlington, gent , 14 Mar. 1666-7. George Conyers, a stranger, 
who d. at Cockerton, 2 April, 1667. Mr. William Conyers, of Elton turnpike, 4 Mar., 
1749-40. Conyers Blenkinsop, of Darlington, weaver, 16 Mar., 1791. Frances, his 
widow, of Cockerton, 14 Mar., 1799, aged 82 years, (maiden name, Richardson, m, 
1763). Catherine Flemming, a stranger, dau. of John F. and Eleanor, his wife, late 
Conyers, aged 1 year, 17 May, 1809. Conyers s. Conyers Blenkinsop, of Cockerton, 
weaver, bp. 1782. Wm. Conyers Smith, flaxdresser, and Mary Robson, spinster, both 
of this parish, m. 1807. David Conyers Burton, witness to a marriage, 1779. Par. Reg. 

The Sockburn family held a burgage in Mathergarthes here, at the commencement of 
the 17th century. Rich. Conyers, gent, a freeholder, 1710. Thomas Conyers, of Oxan 
Feild House, bought a messuage in Tubwell Row, 1687. 

Barbara Kennet, dau. Wm. Kennet, of Sockburn, knt., bur. 24 Jan., 1617-18. Sir 
William, who was of Sellendge, Kent, m. 2ndly, Catherine, dau. Sir John Conyers, and 
had a dau., Dorothy, bap. 1618, at Sockburn. The Darlington entry probably refers to 
a child by his former wife, Barbara Egleston, of Essex. The Kennetts, from the Plan- 
tagenet to Stuart, were "dancers, tilters, and very ancient courtiers." 

Cosin restored the Bishops' manor house at Darlington from a state of 
complete dilapidation. Here is an account for part of the work. 

Aprill 18th, 1668. Collected an assessment by order of a bye law of 3s. 6d. per Oxgan 
of all the towneland* of Bondgate in Darlington for paying for the leading of slates, 

* 1647- Mem. By custom we find that the tenants of that copyhold land which is called 
Town-land, are to carry and lead to the manor-house of Darlington, for the use of the 



] M REPARATION OF THE 

stones, timber, and brick, for the bushop's hall and the toll-booth, which said assessment 

amounted unto 51. 17s. lOd. 33 oxgan : 3 foote and a half, as apperes at large per this 

booke. * 

£ s. d. 
Paied, to Mr. Lamb 34s., for what the neighbourhood of Bondgate 

did want, and fall short of ther proportion of draughts as to the 

aforesaid worke, I say . 1 14 

Pd. to John Longstaff, 105., for leading 3 load of slates, for the 

bushop's hall, from Engleton, and hehad all the sallery besides, 

which was dew to us, as 2\d. per myle: flackett and wallett 

filled : and diners which we accompt as good as 4s. 4d. every 

load or draught, I say pd. him in money 10 

Pd. to Tho. Emerson, for leading 2 load of slates from Engleton... 6 8 

Pd. to Antho. Elgy , for leading 3 load slates from Engleton 10 

More for 3 voages t to Sedburge, for stones, and once to Brankin 

Moore, for brick, for bushop's hall 6 8 

Pd. the like sum to Chr. Hodgson, for the same worke 16 8 

lord of the manor, wood, lime, and stone, not exceeding a tunnweight, in a wain, for the 
repair of the toll-booth of the Burrough of Darlington, and for the mills and bake-house in 
Darlington; and the tenants are to have 2^d. a mile, not exceeding 7 miles from the manor- 
house, nor going out of the county; and they are to have drink in their flaskets, meat in 
their wallets, and their dinner when they come home Witnesses, George Bowbank, set* 
57; Ra. Collin, set. 60; Robert Branson, set 60; William Maine, set. 56; William Helcott, 
set- 60. — Halmot Court Books, Darlington Manor- 

A verdict of the Jurors of Blackwell, Cockerton, and Boundgate in Darlington, this 
seventh of October, 1667. Given unto Samuell Davison, esq. stuart of the Halmot Court* 
houlden the day and yeare aforesaid. First. Whereas ther was a returne made in the 
Halmot Court, houlden at Darlington, the 23rd of Aprill, 1633, the Coppihoulders was to 
have but 2d. a mile for the leading of wood, stone, and lime, we doe find it an absalute 
mistake in the Clarke that then was and we have proved it by som of the Jurors of that 
saide Jury and other witnessis, viz. John Sober, George Garnet, and Thomas Rowter, who 
was sworne that 2^d. a mile is the custommarie due for everie draught, which was alwayes 
paid or ought to be paid time out of miend; and that they are to have meat in ther wallets, 
beare in ther flackits, and dinners at ther returne; and that they are not to exceed or goe 
above seaven miles from the Manner house nor out of the County. Witnes, Thomas Dob- 
son, greeve [of Blackwell]; jurors, George Garnett, Willm. Cornefourth, Cuth. Cornfourth, 
Willm. Midleton : John Lodge, greeve [of Cockerton] ; jurors, John Dennis, Francis Blakey, 
Mathew Thompson, Edward Robinson: Willm. Priscott, greeve [of Bondgate] ; jurors, Jo- 
Marshall, Rob. Nickleson, Rob. Corson, Ralph Collin. Bondgate Book. 

In 1799, some accident having happened to the Tollbooth, the lessee of the Tolls, J. 
Wetherell, esq. of Field House, near Darlington, conceived he had a call on the Copyholders 
for repairs, and consulted Allan. The antiquary answered, that in Boldon Buke and Hat- 
field's survey no such service appeared, but that about 1652 and at some subsequent periods, 
he believed the lessee had claimed assistance, and accordingly inquests were taken at the 
Halmot Courts to the effect above stated, but that no evidence could be found of the per- 
formance of the custom, and that his father, though receiver of the tolls, never claimed it, 
in fact with the other copyholders, absolutely refused assistance to both Tollbooth and 
Mills. After hinting that by innovations, perversions, and unwarrantable exactions the 
lessees of both had forfeited any claim, Allan sensibly observes that were he lessee, he 
would neither fill the flacketts nor wallets of the copyholders, nor regale them with a good 
dinner, which would be far more expence than hiring workmen. The correspondence, 
owing to a report that he was assisting the lessee, was printed by Allan at the Grange press, 
and circulated among the copyholders. 

* Referring to a list of the various owners. The towne land is there stated to be liable to 
repair the Tolbooth, Hall, and Mills. There occurs also a rental of the Hall-land 8 oxgangs. 
The book is the Bondgate book of remembrance. 

f Voyages, journies. Still used: " We're ganging for a vage o' staanes." 



manor-house by uosin. 145 

£ s. d. 

Pd. to Rob. Sober, for leading- 2 load slates from Engleton* 6 8 

More for 2 voages to Sedburge, and one for sand 3 7 

Pd. to Mr. Daniell Gill, for Fetum farme rent for 3 yeres gon 7 6 

Pd./o/' repaireing the church garth wall, which belongs to the copi- 

houlders adjoyneing on lady kirk stile icell 15 5 

Pd. when we agreed with Mr. Lamb, as the rest of Greeves did ... 8 

Soe this accompt is right ballanced ol. 17s. lOd. 

p. me, Wm. Priscott, Gree\*e. 

Bishop Cosin was not fortunate, the character of one of his daughters, 
Lady Burton, was marked at least with levity. He speaks of a rogueing 
letter which he had from Mr. Jo. Blakiston, (with whom he had more causes 
of quarrel than one,) boasting and triumphing of having ruined his daughter 
Burton in an ale-house in Westmoreland. His only surviving son, John, 
whom he solemnly laments in his last will as his lost and only son John 
Cosin, twice forsook the Protestant religion, having been perverted by the 
Jesuits and at last took orders in the church of Borne. He, in fact, left 
England under his maternal name of (Christopher) Blakiston,^ and pro- 
fessed himself in a convent at Paris, t No threats or in treaties could per- 
suade him to return, and his subsequent history is unknown. 

Mr. Neile (undersheriff, and grandson of the bishop of that name) writes to Mr. 
Stapylton, in 1661-2, from London: — " I have several times bin with Mr. Cosens, he 
complains much of all the diskindnes of his father, and hath as fresh in his memory all 
the little petty things and the great ones betweene his sister and him, with all the cir- 
cumstances of my Lord's taken his part, and is so full of that that he never talks of 
religion but only if it be put to him what religion he is of, as I have severall times done, 
then religion comes in at the tayle of all. There is noe body knows how to begin to 
worke upon anything, he is of the old humour, so violent and so passionate. This day 
Mr. Sandcroft was with him, but no hopes of anything, both for his passion and because 

he talks of going far beyond seas on Thursday at the farthest. The Papists here 

allow him not a farthing; saith he hath lived ever since he came out of the north of 
Avhat he brought with him, 1 ' &c — It appears that this obstinate, and, possibly, weak 
young man, refused the bishop's very moderate and proper offer to him, to maintain him, 
in case he would go and live privately loith his brother-in-law, Charles Gerard, § in the 

* Slates are not procured at Ingleton, and such entries probably mean then it was the 
dep6t for the materials brought from Shipley and other places, above Barnard-castle. 

t The bishop's wife was Frances, dau. of Marmaduke Blakiston, prebendary, of Newton 
Hall, younger son of John Blakiston, of Blakiston, near Norton. Curiously enough the 
lady's brother was John Blakiston the regicide. 

+ Cosin had been deemed a papist himself while prebendary of Durham, the puritans 
snapping at some " cozening devotions" with a lewd title page having I.HS-, &c-, on it, and 
the turbulent Peter Smart carping at every decent ceremonial in the cathedral, and preser- 
vation of ancient art. 

§ Charles Gerrard, esq., (brother to Sir Gilbert) married Frances, 3rd dau. of Cosiu. He 
was the bishop's housekeeper of Darlington and bailiff of Cothara Mundeval. John s. 
Charles Gerard, [Garratt erased] gentellman, bap. 1662-3, [liv. 1671, d. before 1673, s.p-] ; 
Ratlife do. 1664 \_d. before 1673] ; Charles s. Charles Gerrard, esq., of Darlington, 1665, [bur, 
1666] ; (In 1673 Vere Gerard was sole child and heiress of the elder Charles); Charles 
Gerard, esq., bur. 15 April, 1665. — Par. Beg. 

V 



146 BISHOP COSIN. 

bishops manor-house at Darlington, " till Ms mind be satisfied;'' " but I never see man 
(adds Mr. Neile) so madd as Mr. Cosens when he was told it, swearing the Inquisition 
would not be so ill as that, and death itself e as good." Mr. Neile concludes a very long 
letter by some directions to Mr Stapylton how to send Mr. Cosens some clothes and 
immediate necessaries, " which he believes my lord will wink at, though he will shew 
him no countenance openly." 

A few days after Mr. Neile writes that Mr. Cosin's journey ended " by com'ande from 
head and M. B. there, upon some report or other, for the present only to a more retyred 
lyfe here: he (Mr. Cosin) sayth he here his man takes upon him to weare his clothes, w h 
he thinkes, if may speake any thing, is to bould a tricke." In a subsequent letter M. B. 
is explained to be the head of a college abroad, of w h Mr Cosens had become a member, 
and whose orders he was bound to obey, to cross the seas and repair to head quarters 
when required. Mr. Cosin is afterwards represented as receiving small sums, sometimes 
with, and sometimes without the bishop's connivance, from his friends and relatives, and 
chiefly from his sister, Lady Gerrard.* 

Darlington, July 29th, 1662. — Sir, — I am come as farr as this place to meet the judge, 
who lay last night at Allerton, but is not comeyett. We are prepared to entertaine him 

nobly at Durham Castle. Pray will you go to the Woclsacke in the Poultre near 

the Compter, Mr Turford's shop, and there buy a gallon of his best oyle, and barrel of 
his Luca olives, if he has any fresh and very good come in: buy them in the same long and 
slender barrills they came in, and tell him the last oyle I had of him was none of his 
best. You may please to pay him out of my lord's money, and account it with me. If 
you can find any large good damaske prunes, which are not easily got, we want some 
for my lord, which pray gett for him. These things you may send any day from Bil- 
lingsgate to Newcastle. Direct them to Mr. Jo. Blakiston's, at his house in Pilgrim- 
street, but not towne-clerke, Sir Jo. Marley giving him 300£. for it, to conclude all dis- 
putes, who intendes it for his sonne. Sam. Davisonf says, his brother Cosin shall not 

* Mary, Cosin's eldest daughter, married Sir Gilbert Gerard, knt. and bart. of Fiskerton, 
co. Line; Sheriff of Durham, 1660; Constable of Durham castle, and M.P. for Northallerton, 
1678-9-80. He entailed the title on his issue by Mary (she being his second wife). He was 
son of Ratcliff Gerard, nephew to the Lord Gerard of Gerards Bromley, and, by Mary Cosin, 
had issue, Gilbert, aged 4, 1666, (2nd baronet; he had no issue, and the title became 
extinct, called Gilbert Cosins Gerard); 2. Samuel ag. 2. (The bishop conveyed, in 1668, 
to his dau. Dame Mary, wife of Sir Gilbert Gerard, the manor of Great Chilton for her 
separate use. In 1697, Dame Elizabeth Gerard, relict and devisee of Sir Samuel Gerard, 
knt., of Brafferton, co. York, [who d. 1695,] and Thomas Owen alienated it.) 3. George, 
b. after 1671, mentioned by his brother Samuel in 1695; and two daughters, Charlotte and 
Mary, living 1671- Lady Gerrard re-married Mr Bassett, who became entitled to most of 
the bishop's estate, and, for preventing disputes, burnt eight or nine large chests of episcopal 
records, including the most ancient evidences of the see, at Helperby. 

See in Pepys's correspondence, the lachrymose narration of Sir Sam. Morland in 1687, 
how, while " almost distracted for want of moneys," he was induced by a person whom he 
had relieved when starving, to marry " a very vertuous, pious, and sweet dispositioned 
lady, and an heiress who had 500L per ann. in land of inheritance, and 4000Z. in ready 
money, &c-, &c. ;" how he " really believed it a blessing from Heaven for his charity to 
that person;" how she immediately turned out to be " a coachman's daughter, not worth 
a shilling, and one who, about nine months since, was brought to bed of a bastard; how, 
with great difficulty, he got a sentence of divorce; how "Sir Gilbert Gerrard who had 
kept her ever since Christmas last and still kept her, and had hitherto fed lawyers to sup- 
port her unjust cause, proceeded to get a certain proctor to enter an appeal against the 
sentence;" and how he asked sneaking Pepys to "move the king to speak one word to my 
Lord Chancellor" to put an end to his troubles. 

Seal of Sir Gilbert Gerard in 1675. Quarterly, 1 and 4 [Arg.] a saltire, [gules] (a cres- 
cent for difference); 2 and 3 [azure] a lion rampant [ermine] ducally crowned [or], in the 
centre the bloody hand of the baronetage. Crest. A lion passant. 

+ Steward of the Halmot Court, and the third of Lady Burton's four husbands. 



BISHOP COSIN. 147 

want. I have a great minde to send his truncke with his clothes, if you know whither I 
may direct it. If you see him, my service to him: tell him if he will but go to church 
with us, and doe as others doe amongst them, he may goe to heaven in good company 
without borrowing the keyes of the gates at Rome. My service to your wife. Your 
affectionatt, humble servantt, Edw. Arden. — For his hon'ble friend Mr. My les Stapylton, 
at Mr. Hinde's house in the new buildings in Lothbury. 

" We go, on Saterday, to Sunderland, my lord lies at Etterick's: [Walter Ettrick's, 
esq., first collector of customs at Sunderland, appointed by Government:] he preaches at 
Bpp. Wearmouth on Monday, he dines at Sir Tho. Davison's, and sees Stockton, and 
returnes to lie at Sir Tho. and next day to Darlington and so home." — Mr. Arden to 
Mr. Stapylton, 9 Oct., 1662. 

Cosin writes to Mr. Stapylton, 1667-8. Mar. 19. I reed, the draught of the lease for 
Bedbourne parke, &c. — You have mentioned my daughter, not as the relict of Charles 
Gerrard, but as the wife of T[homas] B[lakiston]* which I have not yet acknowledged, 
nor was it ever made knowne to mee that they were legally married and whensoever it 
shall be so made knowne I must professe beforehand that I am extreamly displeased 
with it. for I was most treacherously used above and for my part shall never owne it. 

London, April \§th, 1670. To Mr. Stapylton, .f If T. B. doth not purchase the 
moiety for one life from Cornefoorth at Darlington mills, hee is an ill manager of his 
business.;}; If he doth purchase it I will be content to renew it in three Hues for nothing 

* Thomas Blakiston, gent., sometime of Darlington, and 'bailiff of that town in 1669, 
afterwards of Durham, married Frances, widow of Sir Charles Gerard, £?^., (see Surtees, — 
but called esq., only in his burial reg.) as above. She was buried in 1668-9, Mar. 10, at Dar- 
lington, as his wife. He died in 1710, and was buried in the cathedral, his only daughter 
Frances (bap. here in 1667), having died under age. George Goundrey to Thomas Blakiston, 
the office of the punder of Darlington, 1660. (Hal mot Blcs.) He was son of Henry Blaki- 
ston of the Gibside family, and had a cousin Roger, who, I suppose, was identical with 
Roger Blackeston, of Blackwell, gent., whose dau. Elizabeth was bap. 1661-2. An Blaik- 
st one, of Black well, widow, bur. 1687- Thomas's great uncle, was Henry Blakiston, of 
Archdeacon Newton, gent., who m. Mary, d. of Henry Tonge, of Thickley and Denton, esq., 
in 1608-9. In those good old times when daughters stooped to the wisdom of their mothers 
most dutifully, we almost invariably find the bride at the house of her parent at her first 
maternal experience, accordingly, in 1609-10, Mary Blaxton, the d. of Henry, was chris- 
tened at Denton, her step-grandmother Tongue and Ralph and Elizabeth Blaxston being 
sponsors; she m. Stephen Thompson, of Humbleton, co. York, in 1628- The succeeding 
children were Sir William Blakiston, of Archdeacon Newton, bp. 1613: (a distinguished 
loyalist, colonel in the service of Chas. L, knighted at Oxford, 1643, desperately wounded 
in the attack on Masseys quarters, Sep., 1644, administered to his father 1665; who m. 
Mary, d. of Sir Rich. Egerton, of Ridley, Chesh. bur. 1665 here, and had a dau. Mary, bap. 
1631-2): Henry, bap. 1619-20, bur. at Heighington, 1623 : Ralph, bap. with his twin brother 
Henry, and bur. 1619, at Heighington. according to Surtees, but entered in the Darlington 
register: and Penelope, bur. at Heighington, 1617. 

Henry, of course, accompanied his wife to Denton, pro tern, and resided there in 9 Jas. 
when William Morton, archdeacon of Durham, leased his manor of Archdeacon Newton to 
Thomas Liddell of Newcastle, merchant; Henry Blakiston of Denton, gent; and Anthony 
Byerley of Pycall, co. York, gent; rent, 21Z. In 17 Jas. he again leased it to Ralph Blaki- 
ston of Gibside, esq., (created baronet in 1642, and nephew to Henry) for the lives of 
Henry's children, William and Mary, and Thomas Liddell of Newcastle, merchant. 
Henry's aunt Ann m. George Lumley of Axwell houses, and we find that John Lumley, her 
grandson, d- at Archdeacon Newton leaving his cousin Henry Blakiston, his sole executor, 
who acquired from his uncle William of Gibside, his "colemynes opened and not opened in 
the Snype, for 21 years," and 60?. and died in 1665, having apparently married a second wife 
Jane , bur. 1659. 

+ From the original letter in the collections of the late J. Brough Taylor, esq.— The 
correspondence is gleaned from the extracts given by Surtees. 

+ I do not think that the negociation prospered, as John Cornforth, of Blackwell, gent., 
(see Charities) devises his moiety to his nephew Whayre Fawcett. 



148 LADY JARRATT. 

upon condition that if his daughter dyes that fine (which is worth 100/. or 80/. at least) 
shall be given to Fanny Hutton* or her mother. As for the other moiety it is allready 
settled upon Mr Charles Gerard's children who must likewise haue the leaze renewed 
gratis: hut you say nothing of all the goods which my daughter left in the house and 
the half-yeere's rent at Bedbourne parke and other places which I think belonged to her 
children by Mr. Charles Gerard more than to her pretended new husband Mr. T. B. and 
his interloping daughter.f If he cannot agree with Cornefoorth to buy him out at his 
his owne charges for the benefit of this his daughter, I pray set your mind upon't and 
try what you and Mr. Kirby can doe to agree with him and buy out that one life which 
is lost that all the lease and the three Hues may be renewed to Mr Charles Gerard's 
children for whom there is but a sorry provision hitherto made, — Jo. Duresme. 

1670. Jan, 31. " You tell me Mr. MathewJ is the Darlington, and that you thought 
you had said so in your former letter, which, if you had, I should not have understood 
you no more than I doe now ; nothing being added to the word Darlington, though I 
may guess at it, that you meaned Darlington Steward, but it seems you let your penne 
run too fast." 

Oosin died in 1671-2, having left by will 51. to the poor of Darlington. 

The Gerrards or Jarratts would be left in a very incomplete state were I 
not to glance at the unearthly tread of Lady Jarratt, who still inhabits the 
old Manor House. It would be unpardonable to omit the veracious oral 
chronicles of her being murdered by some soldiery, and her leaving on a wall 
a ghastly impression of thumb and fingers in blood for ever, and far be it 
from me to attempt to philosophize on the fact that no scouring or white- 
washing could ever eradicate it. Yes, there were crimson spots on both wall 
and floor. And though workhouse arrangements have caused their destruc- 
tion, poor Lad\ Jarratt's fate is still remembered. She has but one arm, for 
the other was cut and carried off" by the ruthless warriors, that they might 
obtain a valuable ring thereon. Like the Silkies and cauld lads of the north, 
her ideas are composed of mischief and benevolence in equal proportions. 
Her grand sanctum is a supposed subterranean passage leading from the 
mansion to the church, which has been (credat Judoeus Apella !) sometimes 
discovered but never dared to be explored, yet she is fond of perambulating 
in the midnight chill and the golden sunrise. She sits on the boundary wall 
and terrifies children on their road to toil on the opposite side of the stream 
at the factory which she mortally hates, making a house near it perfectly 
untenantable. Her musical tastes are not very refined, she jingles the pans 
of the establishment, and rattles the old pump handle when it is locked with 
great assiduity. These pranks accompany a very undesirable liking for 
maidens 5 bedsides, when " the bedclothes from the bed pulls she, and lays 
them naked all to view ; twixt sleepe and wake, she does them take, and on 
the key-cold floor them throw ;" and generally are perpetrated before births 
and deaths in the workhouse community. On these occasions she relents, 

* The daughter of Lady Hutton, by her first husband Henry Burton, of the Goulds* 
brough family. She married Cuthbert Sisson, apothecary. 

+ His daughter Frances, bap. in 1667. 
% Richard Mathew, gen., occurs as steward of the borough in 1669. 



THE GLOVERS. 149 

and makes coffee for the sick, and in all her various appearances and offices 
within doors invariably makes a rustle-me-tustle with her stiff silk dress, but 
in the town she sinks into the very numerous community of white rabbits 
scampering about the market place in most gallant style. In fact she is 
Robin Goodfellow under another name. One thing more must be remem- 
bered, an old pair of spectacles tossing about the house in a mahogany case, 
are most stoutly affirmed by the master (rather fond of a joke, by the way) 
to be her Ladyship's. In truth, they are rather extraordinary, being large 
goggle glasses set in a leather frame, which has no legs, but is fixed by squeez- 
ing the nose, being elastic and capable of distention. The case seems modern. 

Lady Jarratt is not the only Darlington sprite associated with coffee. A house in 
Tubwell Row used to he sorely infested by one who kept grinding away at a coffee mill 
continually. Its operations were at last traced to a wonderful door, the slightest opening 
of which hushed the noise, as it does in many a house besides. To show the public 
fervor for such superstitions, a large dog was once lying in the passage adjoining, from 
which a lad was most desperately flayed by seeing a ghost like a white calf with eyes as 
big as saucers. 

1665. Aug. 12. John Glover, of Darlington, vintner, executes a bond for 
40/. to Charles II. conditioned for paying to his Royal Highness James Duke 
of York 10/. on Mar. 25 next, and other l(k on Sep. 29 following. The 
money was paid, and the bond rests among muniments relating to a burgage 
on the High Row bought by Peter Glover, postmaister, 3 Jas. I. of Toby 
and Henry Oswold. 

The Glovers were one of the oldest families here, occurring as tanning skins in Skin- 
nergate, and doubtless once made gloves in Glover's Wiend, where their property lay. 

In 1615, the heralds disclaimed the coat* of Oswald Glover of Darneton, as a gentle- 
man. His father was Christofer Glover, gaoler of Durham, under Tobie Mathew. 
Christofer built a house in Owengate, and died in Claypath, in Henry Wandles' house. 
His successor, in 1613, was Nic. Hodshon, dictus Makeshift; the next gaoler, Tho. 
Sonkey, built a house called Sonkey's Folly. This man's widow was gaolotrix till 1632, 
his daughter married Samuel Martin, clerk, dictus Baggs. John Peacock suoceeded in 
1632, his widow was also gaoloress, and remarried John Joplin, gaolor, jure uxoris, and 
who was hanged at York 1674-5. These from Mickleton, a goodly company truly. 
Christopher had the honour of holding the safe custody of the Lady Katherine Grey, one 
of Westmoreland's daughters, which buxom widow had been judged f for too great 
familiarities with a seminary priest, with the flesh mark in his face. She was to be kept 
forthcoming in his private house. Whether in this office of 1599 she corrupted him, I 
will not say, but one thing I know, that Christopher Glover, of Durham, caused Agnes 
Branson to be judged at Darlington, in 16054 So much for the gaoler, now for the 
postmaster. 

* John Glover, the postmaster of 1561, and his son seal bonds with " Ermine, a chief, 
charged with a label of five points." 

+ Censured in reputation. "Judge not, lest ye be judged." 

t Branson House, the property of Wm. Bewick, esq., in Cockerton road, stands on the 
old estate of her family. Little Isabella, notha, died an infant. Robert Tailbois, of Thorn- 
ton Hall, who died a prisoner in Durham Gaol, leaves " to Christopher Glover, my keeper, 
for my dyet in the gaole and for my other expences, after the rate of 10s. weekly since the 
sixth day of Febrnari, 1603 ; to my brother John Barnes, (he had married Bp. Barnes's 



150 THE GLOVERS. 

"John Glover, master of this ho'* and postmaster of Darnton," attests William 
Williamson, of Bushopaucland, gent's setting over to Peter Glover, tanner, of the ward- 
ship marriage and custody of the body and estate of George Marshall, son of a dead 
tanner, in 1591; and in 1596, George Bainbrigge, of Darneton, gent., conveys his post- 
shippe of Darneton to Peter, (son of John ?) 

In 1619, Toby Oswoldf of Barmeston, co. Durham, gen., dolefully petitions " Sir 
Francis Verulam, the Lo: chancelor," against Peter. In 42 Eliz. he had possessed 1 cub- 
bord with 3 great puter chargers 61.; 1 counter or cubbord with a fourme40s.; I long table, 
with a long-settle and a fourme 30s. ; 1 other lesser seate 6s. Sd. ; certain iron barrs and crakes 
10s.; 1 standing bed steed 405.; 1 long wrought table with a settle 40s.; 1 other standing 
bedd steed 20s. ; 1 other bed steed 3£.; 1 beafe ledd 41.; 1 cawell with a table 40s.; 16 firdales 
20s.; total 25/. 6s. 8c?., in his burgage at Darneton. In 17 Eliz., he had let the burgage to 
Glover, " and your orater being then a young man, and being unwilling to sell the 
goods aforesaid," had allowed Glover the use of them till he should demand the 
same, and accordingly Glover received them as they stood in the hall, parlor, chamber 
over the hall, chamber over the mell doores, the little house behind the shopp, the kitchen, 
the loft, and the oxhouse, in the said burgage. After this Oswold sold the burgage to 
Glover, about 8 years before his petition, and demanded the goods or their value. But 
he, " not meaning nor intending to deale soe frindly and kindly with your orator as he 
deserved," refused to do so, and detained the goods, to the damage of 30/. to the orator. 
The latter then prays that as many of the witnesses were " old and decrepit," or did 
" remaine in remote severall places farre from the county of Durham,'' and could not 
conveniently be brought to any one place to give testimony by a tryall at the common 
law, and as he was persuaded that hee, the said Peter Glover, being a plaine dealing 
man, will truly confesse the receyving, &c," the Lord Chancellor would issue a writt of 
subpoena, commanding Glover to answer the petition. An order was directed to John 
Lisle,J James Todd, Tymothy Barnes, and Robert Ward, gents., to appoint a day 
to receive defendant's answer. 

dau. Eliz.) for my wyfe's dyet for three years at 30L yearly," Proved, 1606. — Helen 
Tailbusse bur. 1591. — Elizabeth Tailbus, bur. 1597 (in the plague, she was, I fancy, the 
widow of the unfortunate Thomas Norton, sen., who re-raarried Anthony Taylboys). 
Margaret Tailbois, of Darlington, widow, bur. 1607. — Par. Beg. 

Thornton Hall, on the road to Staindrop, is an interesting relic of the Tailbois family. It 
has much altered by the Salvin and Bowes races, but much of the projection, towards the 
road, is Perpendicular Gothic, being ornamented with right ugly nondescript animals near 
the top. In the upper story of this par tis a fine Jacobean ceiling with the arms and crest of 
Tailbois, and the devices of an anchor; fleur-de-lis, and escallop, in the pannelling. A still 
finer and older one is on the ground floor, intersected with beams carved with elaborate 
late Gothic tracery, and adorned with ciphers on the bosses and half way along the beams. 
The roof is evidently shortened, but the part remaining contains ciphers disposed as 
follows: — 

R V I d A) fR A I F A[N D I ANJ 

> Query < 

ElVlBi IE TALBOIS fdntf 

evidently pointing out Raife Talboys, who m. 2. Jane Bertram, and d. 1591, as its con- 
structor. 

* The place where deeds are executed, is frequently set forth at that time. What would 
a modern lawyer say to such an attestation as that on a deed which " was sealed in the 
shoope of Francis Oswolde,betweene the howres of ix.and x. of theclook before noon,xvj. 
day of Februrij, 1571. ?" Glovers house was no doubt the later Post-house or Talbot Inn. 

+ 31 Eliz.; Francis Oswald settled the Greets on the marriage of his son John with Eliz. 
Glover. — John Oswald, a disclaimer, 1615. — 1621-2, Cuthbert Smith and Elizabeth Oswold 
clandestinely married in the night, at Sedberge. — Par Reg. 18 Jas. I., presented that Ra. 
Nicholson prevented Rob- Oswold from placing his "ladder, to mend said Robert's house. 
Ordered that he be allowed to let him do so. Hal/mot Bks- The Oswolds migrated to 
Coniscliffe. 

t A lawyer, of Durham city, who sported a lion rampant on his seal the arms of De 



THE CLOVERS. "™ 151 

Peter the postmaister, by will, Apr. 30, 1625, as a "yeoman, not sick in bodie, but 
partly infirme," leaves to his daughters, Jane, as yet unadvanced in marriage, 1001., to 
be paid in li year after her marriage; Margaret, (in the same predicament, she after- 
wards married John Middleton), 100?., and Dorathie 100/., to be paid her on the day of 
her marriage. This contingency happened very soon, as soon indeed as Peter became 
fully infirm, as appears from the two extraordinary entries, joining each other in the 
register. " 1626, May 11, Charles Husband, [a lawyer, who wrote an exquisite hand,] 
and Dorothy Glover, married by licence. — 12, Peter Glover, father of the said Dorothy, 
of Darlington, buried." — (Did the excitement kill the old man ?) — He leaves " to the 
poore people of the parish of Darlington, to be distributed at the church door 41. — John 
Glover my son and heire, executor — my righte trustie, and dear beloved brother-in-law, 
John Ketlewell, and Jasper Ketlewell, supervisors; to either of them a Jacobus peece 
of gold, as a token and pledge of my love and last farewell, referringe every ambiguity 
(if any shall arise) in this my will, to be expounded construed and explained by my 
supervisors." 

John m. Eliz. Stainsby, and had a son John, who was postmaster in 1651. He had 
male issue, John, vintner, (who was bound as in the text,) Peter, a clothmaker, 
of Holtbeck, co. York, Cuthbert a hotpresser, of London, and Benjamin, a mariner, 
of Newcastle. They sold the High Row property, ( bounded on the South by 
Chairegate or Glover's Weand, and long after the posthouse*), to Robert Clifton, a 
sadler, of Cliffe, in 1681. The fixtures were in " the little chamber, the lad's chamber, 
Rob. Shippard's chamber, Elizabeth Harrison's chamber, the lord's chamber, the parlor, 
the hall or forehouse, the buttery," and included all things in the stables except " Nyne 
fardailes in the farr stable." 

1669. " For lousing us from good behavor, 14s. 4)d." Par. BJcs. The 
town had been bound over to its good behaviour, and was loused from the 



I throw together one or two more items. — 1685. Paid at the visitation, for the pro- 
clamation concerning the rebells, prayer bookes and court fees, 7s. 6d. [Monmouth's 
Rebellion.] 1770. To Mary the daughter [of] Haward, a solgar, to cloth hir for sarvis, 
105. — 1798. Calling a meeting on government account, Is. 6d. — 1800. Postage of a 
list of armoriall bearings pasting up at church, Is. 0±d. 

1674, The Hon. Nathaniel Ore we, Bishop. He afterwards became 
Lord Crewe of Stene, co. Northamp., and was a man made of courtly meanness, 
but Crewe s charity throws a veil over all. I have been told that he was the 
last bishop who resided at Darlington Manor House. 

1677. In a return of Blackwell lands " at the full rack according to a warrant to us 
directed for the same purpose, and for raising the summe of 584,978^. 2s. 2\d. according 

Insula. He occurs as bailiff of our borough court from 1606 to 1622 when he died, and was 
once sued therein by the grassmen for hirdwage on Brankin moor, Is., buys of the daughters 
of John Pape, deceased, in 1606, Pkhall, two closes between Yarm lane and Turner's 
close, sometime of Win. Pudsey, of Barford, esq., sells Huntington's Close to Thomas 
Barnes, in 1618. — Barbaria Lisle, widow of Darlington, bur. 1630. 

* Sold by Hen. Burdon, inholder, in 1567 to Francis Oswold, merchant. The sign of a talbot 
springs forth in metal, and one windy day, the tongue being corroded flew off. Whereupon 
it passed into a popular joke that the wind was once so strong at Darlington that it blew a 
dog's tongue out- I have not mentioned this inn in p. 126, as the sign does not occur at the 
time there alluded to. It, however, was evidently the Posthouse from the ) 6th century 
downwards. 



152 THE BRASS MURDERS. 

to act of parliament, for the speedy building of 30 ships of warre," Mr. Tobyas Ewbanck 
occurs as chief owner, rent 1051. 

1678. Nov. 21. " Laid on a sesse of 9c?. per oxgang at Blackwell, for the Trainband 
going to Durham. From other entries I find that the trainbands used to assemble at 
Bellasse Head and Hunwick Edge. The word militia first occurs in 1687, and is called 
Mallitia in 1691 in the Blackwell books. 

1679. Blackwell township paid 6s. for the charge of leading one load of lime to the 
Old Hall; and 45. towards the repairing of the Tollbooth staires; and in 1680, for leading 
slates and lime to the same buildings, 8s. per load. 

1682-3. Jan. A company of troopers passing from Darlington to Durham 
are said to have assisted Mr. Brass to seize the probably insane Andrew 
Mills who as is well known, on Brass and his wife's absence on a Christmas 
visit murdered their three children at their residence near Ferryhill. 

Tradition adds that the wretch's intention as to the youngest child was half frustrated 
by her entreaties and promises of bread, butter, and sugar, and some toys, but that in 
going of the room he met in the passage a hideous creature like a fierce wolf with red 
fiery eyes, its two legs were like those of a stag, its body resembled an eagle, and was 
supplied with two enormous wings; this apparition addressed Mills with a most un- 
christian croak, in the words 

#0 fcarft, tf)ou fateful foretd), resume tf)£ mrSetf knife, 
$ long to btefo more ftlootf, Spare not tlje flounp; one's life. 

And the injunction was obeyed. It is said also that the old Brasses on their return 
heard the most dreadful howlings of dogs and screechings of owls, the horse bolted conti- 
nually, and at last, at the place where Andrew Mills's stob afterwards stood, would not 
move a peg more. Andrew sprung from a thicket, and on enquiry told his horrid deed. 
The mother fell to the ground, and the troopers who were passing at the time helped 
to secure the murderer. Mary was conveyed to a place of safety, Dobbing again went 
on, and the hapless father arrived at his bloody home. There is a further supernatural 
story of Andrew's living several days on the stob or gallows from whence his agonised 
cries were heard for miles round; and of the people of Ferry Hill and the adjacent ham- 
lets actually deserting their dwellings till life had departed from the poor wretch. A 
beautiful tale connects this surviving with the tenderness of a peasant girl beloved by 
Mills, who brought him milk every day, and fed him through the iron cage in which 
his tortured limbs were bound. He had persisted in his confession, that he had acted on 
the immediate suggestion of the devil who bid him kill all ! kill all ! The eldest girl 
struggled with him for some time, and he did not murder her till he had broken her 
arm, which she had placed as a bolt to secure the door of the inner chamber, where the 
younger children were sleeping. Children is not perhaps a proper expression, although 
used on their tomb, since the daughter who was about.to be married was aged 20, the 
son 18, and the youngest daughter 11. Mills was 18 or 19. The stob was cut to pieces 
for charms. 

1684. To Mr. Bell, with a letter from London with the names of the 
Royal family, 6<£ — Par. Bhs. This is a curious item ; for it shows that the 
mercuries, diurnals, and intelligencers of the day, were not deemed sufficient 
for satisfactorily advertising public events to the minister and people. 

1686-7. Charges for carts and carriages with baggage to Allerton and Auckland 
occur in the Blackwell books. 



THORESBY'S VISIT. 153 

1688, July. "Articles to come Is. 3d. Tarr barrell Is. Gd. For new lock and stock 
105. 2d. Blackwell Books. 

1688-9. 3 red coats for the trainband cost each 65. Gd. 

The following items occur in the parish books of St. Mary, in the South Bailey, 
Durham;— 1688, Sep. 21. Six horses and two men to Darlington, 2s. — 1689, April 2. 
A man and horse to Darlington with Capt. Delaval's company, Is. Gd. — June 6. Two 
horses to Newcastle with General Ginkell, one with Capt. Delaval to Darlington, lis. 6c?. 
— Oct 6. Two horses to Darlington with the Princess Anne's dragoons, 7id. — Dec 5. 
Twelve horses with the Danes to Darlington, 35. 

James II., while Duke of York, had, in 1660, married Anne, daughter of 
the celebrated Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, who, when a young barrister, mar- 
ried a female of obscure parentage, and there are some who assert that she 
was the daughter of a laundress at Darlington: this, however, is very uncer- 
tain, and the more probable opinion is that she was the daughter of a brewer, 
in a small town somewhere in the south of England. Whencesoever sprung, 
Hyde's humble favourite became grandmother of two reigning Queens of 
England, and, by her prudent, amiable, and exemplary conduct, secured the 
respect and admiration of the exalted circle in which she moved.* 

1689. May. Blackwell raised 41. 8s. Gd. for the first 3 months of their Majesties' 
supply of 70,000£. per month for 6 months. 

1692-3. " Then proportioned the aid sess for their Majestyes K.W. and Q.M. for the 
year 93 for carrying on a vigorous warr a.gamsiJFrances, the towneshipp of Blackwall was 
cast that every 20s, in the book of rates to be 11. lis. 3d. — The sum to be raised quarterly 
is 91. 2s. 7d." This payment continued at least till 1696. Arthur Prescott was head 
owner, Major Richardson the next. The ardour of the rustics is quite refreshing. 

1693. 4 April. "Laid on a sesse for the trainband being to meet at Darlington, on 
Friday next, being the 7th April, of 10s. per li., for fixing amies with 2 musquetts 
stocks and 2 swords, scabards, and a sword and belt bought of Wm. Middleton, at 8s.; I2d 
a peece, Muster Master, beside there pay. Sesse raised, 2li. 2s. 3d., q' how disposed on." 
Blackwell Booh. Trophe money occurs as paid to the high constable, on May 3, this 
year. 

1703. ThoresbVj the Antiquary, sets down that on 

" May 18. We passed the river Tees, in a fruitful country, which produces very large 
sheep; we stayed little in Darlington, hastening to Durham." 

" May 20. We baited at Ferry-upon-the-Hill, which answers Kirk Merington (in 
the other road) as to its lofty situation, and got in good time to Darlington; viewing the 
town, where, by the encouragement of the late Queen Mary, is settled the linen manu- 
facture; they make excellent huckaback and diaper, and some damask, &c. Went to 
transcribe what monuments I could find in the church; was pleased to find there several 
young persons met to sing psalms, which they performed very well, with great variety 
of tunes, &c, but was concerned to see the adjoining house of the Bishop of Durham con- 
verted into a Quakers workhouse. There being a funeral, we had the happy opportunity 
of public prayers, which was comfortable. 21. The river Tees not being fordable by 
reason of the late rains, we went about by Croft bridge, where Sir William Chater has 
a seat, by which means we had the convenience of seeing the Hell-Kettles, the best 

* Gordon's Guide to Croft, &c I do not believe one word of the statement. I always 
understood that Hyde m. 1st. a daughter of Sir Geo. Ayloffe, who d. s. p.; and 2nd, Frances, 
dau. of Sir Thos. Aylesbury, who had with many other children, this daughter Anne. 

W 



154 THORESBY'S VISIT. 

account of which is in my late kind friend Dr. Jabez Cay's letter, inserted by Dr. 
Gibson in the new edition of the Britannia, p. 782." 

Tkoresby often passed through Darlington. At the age of 23 he came 
expecting to have met with Captain Widdrington here. This was on 6 
April, 1680. On the 7th he was up early and went on to Durham where 
he found him, and thence to Newcastle, returning on the 8th. He and the 
Captain seem to have got rather too jolly occasionally in London, especially 
once " late on Saturday night at Captain Widdrington's, where was too great 
plenty of the strongest liquors, which afflicted me by their conquest of my 
friend, which being partly on my account, I desire may be for my humiliation." 
On May 17, 1680, he was here again with his uncle, Michael Idle, and 
" carried pretty sister Abigail (her dear father's picture) along with me, and 
got safe to Darlington, 40 long miles, and yet she not at all weary/' He 
passed through on his return from Newcastle on the 22nd following, " a most 
stormy rainy day/' His father had died the preceding year, and the anti- 
quary reigned in his stead as a merchant. 

In September, 1681 and 1682, he was again in the town on his northern 
peregrinations. 

A family of Thursbie, or Thoresby, occur at School Aycliffe and Brafferton as early as 
1582. The following entries are from our own register. Ralph Thursbie, of Archdeacon 
Newton, buried at Heighington, 24 Aug., 1622. George Thersbey [a sadler], of Dar- 
lington, occurs 1690 — 1698. Thomas Thursby, attorney, and Jane Theobalds, spinster, 
married 4 June, 1705. Jane, wife of Mr. Thomas Thursby of Brafferton, attorney, 
buried 7 April, 1717. Affidavit that she was duly buried in woollen in obedience to the 
statute, made 12 April. 

In Heighington churchyard is an ancient decorated coffin-lid bearing a cross, at the 
foot of which is a nondescript animal enclosed in a crocketted arch. There is a sword 
at the side, half the cross bar of which is cut off to make room for an inscription in 
ordinary Roman capitals :— IO : THVRSBIE . HIC . IACET. 

The name is embalmed in the memory of John de Thoresby, archbishop of York, 1360, 
who was a diligent preacher and a positive reformer. " Hear God's law," said he, 
" taught in thy mother tongue, for that is better than to hear many masses." 

In Thoresby 's caustic remark about the workhouse is seen an evident prejudice against 
the Friends, although he was himself a dissenter. " 1683. I cannot wholly omit my 
concern for some poor deluded quakers who were hurried down this street to York castle 
in greater numbers than was ever known in these parts. The Lord open the eyes of 
one party, and tender the hearts of the other. . . . 1702. With W. P. and another 
quaker about business ; found under a pretence of a holy simplicity, downright treach- 
ery, was tricked out of two guineas. Lord, pardon them ! " 



erijaqpto; $V. Annate from fyz %Ltttmim of ©eorge $. 
to tj)e present time, 

1721. William Talbot, Bishop. The abuses created in the palatinate 
by his son-in-law, Dr. Sayer and others, were crying enough to produce the 
famous Enquiry by Spearman in 1729. Amongst them was the corrupt 
granting and entering surrenders and copies of land as copyhold, which really 
were freehold, as in the case of the Pindar- close* at Darlington to John 
Theobalds, who afterwards mortgaged it to Mr. Warwick, as copyhold, yet 
again sold it as freehold to a third person, who,, upon an ejectment brought, 
recovered it ; and to make the fraud more colourable, the officer (Mr. Hut- 
chinson) had entered a sham title in the paper-books, and contrived many 
surrenders from several persons, deriving in all appearance a plain title, and 
many persons successively interested for the space oi 60 years, though not a 
word of truth or fact occurred in the series of that descent and title, 

1730. Edward Chandler, Bishop. 

It may be remembered to the honour of Bp. Chandler, that he never sold any of his 
patent offices, tho' he was offered several hundred pounds by Mr. R. R., an attorney at 
D , for the clerkship of the Halmot Court, vacant on the death of Mr. John Mow- 
bray, in 1735, which he nobly refused, and gave to his secretary, Mr. Whitaker, who 
was succeeded by Mr. Wyndham. On Mr. Ralph Trotter's surrender of the two patents 
as keeper of Birtley Wood and housekeeper of the old palace at Darlington, he granted 
the former to Mr. Christopher Johnson, his receiver, for three lives, and the latter for 
life, and also appointed him county clerk; which two last offices he still holds. — 
Hutchinson. 

About the year 1730, Mr. Edward Walpole (afterwards Sir Edward, 
Knight of the Bath) returned from his travels on the continent, where the 
munificence of his father, the famous statesman, had enabled him to make a 
brilliant figure ; and so very engaging was he found by the ladies, that he 
had no other appellation in Italy than that of " the handsome Englishman." 
It appears that at the time Mr. Walpole on his return lived in Pall Mall, 
there was opposite, arid nearly facing Carlton House, a ready made linen 
warehouse, where gentlemen procured everything necessary for their ward- 
robes, such as gloves, &c. This shop was conducted by a very respectable 
female named Mrs. Rennie, assisted by several others, among whom was a 
pretty, interesting girl, named Mary Clement. Her father was at that time, 
or soon after, a postmaster at Darlington, a place of 40£ per annum, on which 
he supported a large family. This young woman had been bound apprentice 
to Mrs. Eennie, and employed in the usual duties of such a situation, which 
she discharged (as the old lady used to say) honestly and soberly. Her 
parents, however, from their extreme poverty, could supply her but very 

* See p. 138, note, all the properties mentioned in which are treated in the transactions 
there stated as copyhold. Spearman must be received with caution. 



156 THE POSTMASTER OF 

sparingly with clothes or money. Mr. Walpole often passed a quarter of an 
hour in chat with the young women of the shop, and there was one of them, 
the attractive Mary Clement, who could make him forget the Italians and 
all the beauties of the English court. Mr. Walpole observed her wants, 
and had the address to make her little presents, in a way not to alarm the 
vigilance of her mistress, who exacted the strictest morality from the young 
persons under her care. Miss Clement was beautiful as an angel, with good, 
though uncultivated parts. Mrs. Rennie had begun to suspect that a con- 
nection was forming, which would not be to the honour of her apprentice. 
She apprised Mr. Clement of her suspicions, who immediately came up to 
town to carry her out of the vortex of temptation. The good old man met 
his daughter with tears ; he told her his suspicion, and that he should carry 
her home, where, by living with sobriety and prudence, she might chance to 
be married to some decent tradesman. The girl, in appearance, acquiesced, 
and left the room shortly afterwards, as her parent imagined, to prepare for 
her return home, but she had other and far more ambitious plans. Whilst 
her father and mistress were discoursing in a little dark parlour behind the 
shop, the object of their cares slipped out, and without hat and cloak ran 
directly through Pall-Mail to Sir Edward's house,* at the top of it (that 
afterwards inhabited by Mrs. Keppel) where, the porter knowing her, she was 
admitted, although his master was absent. She went into the parlour, where 
the table was covered for dinner, and impatiently waited his return. The 
moment came ; Sir Edward entered, and was heard to exclaim with great joy, 
" you here !" What explanations took place were, of course, in private ; but 
the fair fugitive sat down that day at the head of his table, and never after left 
it. The fruits of this connection were Mrs. Keppel, the first ; Maria after- 
wards Lady Waldegrave, and subsequently Duchess of Gloucester, the 
second ; Lady Dysart (the wife of Lionel, fourth Earl of Dysart, died sans 
issue 1788), the third ; and Colonel Walpole, the fourth ; in the birth of 
whom, or soon after, the mother died. Never could fondness exceed that 
which Sir Edward always cherished for the mother of his children ; nor was 
it confined to her or them alone, but extended itself to her relations, -f for all 
of whom he in some way or other provided. His grief at her loss was pro- 
portioned to his affection : he constantly declined all overtures of marriage, 
and gave up his life to the education of his children. He had often been 
prompted to unite himself to Miss Clement by legal ties, but the threats of 
his father, Sir Robert, prevented his marriage ; he avowing that if his son 

* This incident is irreconcilable to a statement in some editions of this true romance, 
that Walpole was lodging at Mrs. Rennie's, and so became acquainted with Fair Mary of 
Darlington. 

f Hammond Clement, esq. occurs in our registers as Ensign in Brigadier General Price's 
regiment of foot in 1747, and in 1759 as one of the Clerks to the Exchequer at London when 
his son Edward was buried. Captain Clement and Mr. John Clement, both of Darlington, 
received funeral papers and gloves at John KillinghalFs funeral in 1762, and in 1781 John 
Clement was a banker here. 



DARLINGTON'S DAUGHTER. 157 

married Miss Clement, he would riot only deprive him of his political interest, 
but exert it against him. It was, however, always said by those who had op- 
portunity of knowing, that had Miss Clement survived Sir Robert, she would 
then have been Lady Walpole. 

In the year 1758, her eldest daughter, Laura,* became the wife of the 
Hon. Frederick Keppel, brother to the Earl of Albermarle, and afterwards 
Bishop of Exeter. The Miss Walpoles now took a rank in society in which 
they had never before moved. The sisters of the Earl of Albemarle were 
their constant companions, and introduced them to persons of quality and 
fashion ; they constantly appeared at the first routes and balls ; and, in a 
word, were received everv where but at court. The shade attending their 
birth shut them out from the drawing-room, till marriage (as in the case of 
Mrs. Keppel) had covered the defect, and given them the rank of another 
family. No one watched their progress upwards with more anxiety than the 
Earl of Waldegrave. This nobleman (one of the proudest in the kingdom) 
had lono- cherished a passion lor Maria. The struggle between his passion 
and his pride was not a short one, and having conquered his own difficulties, 
it now only remained to attack those of the lady who had prepossessions ; and 
Lord Waldegrave, though not young, was not disagreeable. The marriage took 
place in 1759. Her very amiable conduct through the whole life of her lord, 
added respect and esteem to the warmest admiration. About five years 
after their marriage, the small-pox attacked his lordship, and proved fatal 
His lady found herself a young widow of rank and beauty. Had Lord 
Waldegrave possessed every advantage of youth and person, his death could 
not have been more sincerely regretted by his amiable relict. At length she 
emerged again into the world, and love and admiration eveiywhere followed 
her. She refused many oilers ; among others the Duke of Portland loudly 
proclaimed his discontent at her refusal. But the daughter of Mary Cle- 
ment was destined to royalty ! The Duke of Gloucester was not to be re- 
sisted, and two children, a prince and a princess (the late Duke of Gloucester 
and the Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester) were the fruits of their 
marriage , and hence it came within the bounds of probability that the de- 
scendants of the postmaster of Darlington might one day have swayed the 
British sceptre.-f- 

1 740. Immediately after a very severe winter the price of grain arose 
considerably, and a great scarcity was apprehended. There were great riots 
at Newcastle and at Stockton, where the mob rose when they saw some corn 
shipped. — "June ;3. Our rioters still continue, and am much afraid will grow 
worse, and have a large reinforcement from the country ; for there was a riot 
at Darlington yesterday, and they threaten to come to Stockton. — Nov. 30. 
A turbulent spirit is in ev'ery town in these parts, and some disturbances 

* Occasionally given as Louisa- 
t Flowers of Anecdote. Globe Newspaper, 7 Feb. 1845. Private information by favour 
of Mr. James Ferguson of Staindrop, aud tradition. 



108 THE SCOTCH 

have been at Darlington and Bernard-castle, and a little here/'* In Aug., 
1795, wheat was so scarce, that at Darlington and many other places it sold 
at a guinea per bushel, and oats at 5s.f 

1 745. The loyalty of the Friends in Darlington was very remarkable at 
the time of the rebellion. On receiving intelligence that the Duke of Cum- 
berland was coming from the south at a wintry time when the weather was 
severe, and by some means hearing that the soldiers were badly clothed, and 
lacking a sufficiency of creature-comforts, they in a most praiseworthy man- 
ner set to work and manufactured a great number of flannel waistcoats, which 
were ready for the poor men on their arrival at Darlington, and which, as 
the old ladyj who remembered the Duke's march and gave this curious fact, 
remarked, might possibly be one cause of the Prince's defeat at Oulloden. 
Less zealous were the farmers of Newtown, for they, ere the Duke approached 
Great Aycliffe, conveyed all their oxen and horses (which they considered 
might be of service to the forces, in carrying their carriages and luggage along 
the highway) and secreted them in a deep ravine and lonely, about a mile 
distant, and ycleped by foxhunters Byers Gill. There was, indeed, some 
excuse for this conduct, as many farmers in the neighbourhood had their 
beasts of burden taken away by compulsion along the road for many miles, 
without a recompense, some of which were never restored to the owners. 

At that time lived one Gideon Gravett Phillips, esq., a Friend, a zealot in 
politics, and a liberal, upright man. An idea of his character may be formed 
from his obituary in the British Magazine for March, 1800:— "Died at 
Darlington, in his 90th year, G. Phillips, esq., a quaker ; he has bequeathed 
the sum of 500/, to Mr. Combe the present lord-mayor for the city of Lon- 
don, and 100 guineas to Mr. Sheridan. At the late election of a lord-mayor 
Mr. Philips entered with the utmost zeal into the interests of Mr. Combe, 
and during the whole of the election was as warmly affected for the same, as 
if his own life and honour had been involved in the issue. He then resided 
at Darlington, and waited impatiently every day for the arrival of the papers 
to know the result. When the election terminated in that gentleman's 
favour, he was transported with joy, and put him down in his will for 500/. 
as a testimony ot his approbation of his public character and conduct." This 
rural patriot lived in the house now Mr. J. H. Mowbray's, in Northgate, 
and when a body of the troops, inarching north in 1 745, were passing through 
and were quartered for the night on the private inhabitants as well as the 
inns, he received the eight or ten men allotted to him with great hospitality 
and plied them with ale and viands most vigorously, adding thereto a weighty 

* Wra. Barker of Stockton's correspondence. Brewster, 152. 

+ MSS. of Robert Allan, esq. Sunniside. 

I Mrs. Simpson, of Aycliffe. The same alacrity prevailed all over the north. See Sykes, 

i. 176. The Friends furnished 10,000 woollen waistcoats in four or five days at their own 

expense. They were made to double over the breast and belly, under the soldiers' own 

clothing. 



REBELLION OF 1745, ] 59 

breakfast before they departed. They, however, only marched to Durham 
and then returned, their services being too late.* 

On the 25th September, there had been a muster of militia on Framwell- 
gate Moor, to which Blackwell furnished a quota of six men at the expense 
of 191. 17s. 8d. 

On the 21st of October, the purveyors of General Wade's army arrived at 
Darlington and employed all the bakers in that town to get bread ready 
against the arrival of the army, then on its march to Newcastle.-)- St. George's 
Dragoons arrived shortly after, J and on the 31st General Wade's horse, 
Montague's horse, and St. George's dragoons were at Durham. Previous to 
the arrival of these and other forces his Majesty's Royal Hunters from 
Yorkshire had passed through, with the brave General Oglethorpe at their 
head ; they made a most gallant appearance, being well equipped with mar- 
tial accoutrements and mounted on fine horses, and arrived at Newcastle on 
the 25th October. " My father," says a venerable gentleman,§ " used to go 
behind where the Friends' meeting-house at present stands, to hear the fife 
for the first time in 1 745. The Hessian soldiers were encamped there ; they 
entered the fields from the Croft road, where my son Joseph Pease's gate 
now stands, and marched out via Cockerbeck to the north road and thus 
avoided the town altogether. I have a large dragoon's basket-headed sword 
found on the place of encampment." The unfortunate issue of Prince Char- 
lie's daring need not be recapitulated. The Duke of Cumberland in his 
journey northward, had passed through Piercebridge, a short distance north 
of which his carriage broke down, but on his return he paid Darlington a 
visit in July 1 746. Tradition says that he reported the road between Dar- 
lington and Croft as the worst he had ever travelled. R H. Allan, esq. 
possesses a guinea of 1 733, wrapped carefully in a paper and placed in a neat 
small bag of wash leather. The paper is rudely inscribed : — " This is the 
Guine, which the Duke of Cumberland sent to John Dunn, (on his presenting 
him with a Bunch of Ripe Grape's : which grew at the Grainge) on his re- 
turn to London from Scotland ;" and is endorsed, in James Allan's hand- 
writing, " Duke of Cumberland — John Dun Gr." 

What is the meaning of a seal used by Francis Lowson, in 1751, on the 
deeds prepared by him ; the bust of a flowing-haired cavalier in tartan, with a 
low hat and military belt ; and at the sides P. C. ? || 

Two Swiss soldiers of Hirtzel's regiment were buried here in December and January, 
1745-6, and John Hess, a Dutch soldier, who died at Cockerton, papist, was buried 9th 
Jan. Blakeney's and Barrel's regiments are also mentioned about this time. In 1747 
a child fathered upon — Mackane, esq. a captain in St. George's regiment of Dragoons, 
was bap. 

* W. K. + Sykes. X George Grey of Southwick's letter, Surtees, ii. 19. 

§ Edward Pease, esq. 

il Deeds of the house late Tolson's, Northgate. Edward Pease, esq. 



150 DEATH OF ENSIGN HART. 

1750. Joseph Butler, Bishop, the celebrated author of the "Analogy." 
He had been presented to the rectory of Haughton-le-Skerne in 1722, where 
there was a necessity of rebuilding a great part of the parsonage -house, and 
Mr. Butler had neither money nor talents for that work, though he had ex- 
pended 60/. which the executors of his predecessor, Richard Bellassyse, had 
paid him for delapidations, with a further sum in providing materials for it. 
Bishop Talbot very kindly gave him Stanhope Rectory instead, and the 
materials were taken by his s accessor, Thorpe, who partly repaired the pre- 
sent parsonage. 

1752. Richard Trevor, S. T. P., Bishop. 

1761. The Hexham Riot of this year took place on the 9th of March, 
and had its origin in the opposition shewn by the inhabitants to the newly 
established regulations for raising the militia. A mob of at least 5000 per- 
sons assembled in the market-place of Hexham, where proceeding from out- 
rage to outrage, they eventually shot an ensign belonging to the North- York 
militia (Mr. Joseph Hart, of Darlington), and a private soldier. The reluc- 
tant magistrates at last ordered the soldiers to fire, who immediately cleared 
the rabble. The man who shot Hart was instantly despatched. Twenty- 
four were left on the spot, eighteen of whom were dead and the rest danger- 
ously wounded. Hart lingered till the morning of the 10th, and was buried 
at Hexham, with every honour, in the evening. On Aug. 1 7, Peter Patter- 
son and Wm. Elder were attainted, and sentenced to be drawn, hung, cut 
down alive, disembowelled and their entrails burnt before their eyes, beheaded 
and quartered. Elder was pardoned, but Patterson was executed at Mor- 
peth on October 5, when the rope breaking he unfortunately fell down before 
he was dead, and exclaimed more than once, "Innocent blood is hard to spill." 
A new halter was procured, and after he had hung the time required by law, 
he was cut down and dismembered.* He was a tenant in Ogle barony, and 
had been unwillingly pressed into the rioters' service on their road from 
Hexham to Morpeth. 

1770. April 18. On account of Mr. Wilkes's enlargement there were 
great rejoicings at Darlington, the bells were rung all the day, forty-five 
pieces of cannon were fired off, and in the evening there were bonfires and 
illuminations. An effigy was carried round the town and afterwards com- 
mitted to the flames.-|- 

1771. John Egerton, Bishop. 

1772. June 4 Being the anniversary of his Majesty's birthday, the 
morning was ushered in by ringing of bells, &c, and in the evening there 
was a most brilliant assembly ;J a thing now quite unknown. 

1773. " Last week as some workmen were digging for sand in Haughton 
church-yard, they found a human skeleton of a very extraordinary size ; 

* Denham's MSS. Sykes's Local Records, i. 234 ; ii. 374. f Sykes. 
J Darlington Pamphlet* 



THE DARLINGTON VOLUNTEERS. ] (]\ 

what is most remarkable some of the teeth in in its jaw were 2^ in. long, and 
H in. broad."* 

A great number of skeletons have been found to the West of the church, especially 
in that part of the churchyard which is now applied to the useful formation of cottage 
gardens at a small rent. There are some vestigia of entrenchments near Red Hall, and 
a very general tradition of a great battle " once upon a time there," exists. Haughton 
church is a massive Norman remain high above the road, with a western door ; an 
unusual feature in small country churches in this locality. There is a flag-memorial to 
one of the prioresses of Neasham under the tower, and part of a Saxon cross of knot- 
work is built into the chancel south wall. The church is most nobly fitted up with 
wood- work of Cosin's time, being a sort of imitation of Gothic- work, and very imposing 
it is. 

J 787. Thomas Thurlow, D.D., Bishop. 

1791. The Hon. Shute Barbjngton, D.D., Bishop. At his entrance 
to the see he dined at Darlington, with his attendants, after receiving the 
Sockburn falchion from the hands of John Erasmus Blackett, esq., as sub- 
stitute for Sir Edward Blackett, bart., lord of that manor. 

1798. Aug. 30. The ladies presented Colours to the Darlington Volun- 
teers (Sir Ralph Milbank, colonel), the event ending in the cultivation of 
their ancient acquaintance, with a smoking surloin. A new song, " The Dar- 
lington Volunteers", was composed, of very refined expression, as one verse 
will show : — 

Though base-hearted fellows, will merit deny, 

Come forward, be firm, and all traitors defy ; 

For those who in darkness can thus love to dwell, 

Will meet a reward, and a great one, in H — ; 

Then join hand and heart, to repel all our foes, 

For we never can rest, till we give them a dose. 

Fire away ! fire away ! may our brave volunteers, 
Ne'er suffer the Frenchmen to put us in fears.f 

1799. Sep. 5. On the news arriving of the Dutch fleet in the Texel 
having been surrendered to admiral Mitchell, the Darlington Volunteers met 
in the market-place of that town, and fired three fine vollies, and the town at 
night was brilliantly illuminated. J 

The Darlington Volunteers, like most other volunteers, fell into much 
ridicule, and three thundering broadsides from Simpkin in Darlington to his 
brother Simon in Wales, (in other words, from Dr. Peacock to the public at 
large) were the result. The scene opens with a general meeting, where 
Squire Noddy, with the resolutions framed by himself and his friend Natty, 
is foiled by Ruffhead ; and one of the company wishing to know, supposed 
the French came, what were they to do, was called a fool for his pains, nay, 
Noddy disputed he had any brains. The second scene discovers Noddy 
reading an address to the town, which was as properly styled an address to 
the moon, declaring inter alia "that his guts had been plagued with intestine 

* Darlington Mercury. f Original broadside. I merely give this vulgarism as a sign 
of the times. % Sykes. 



1(52 THE DARLINGTON VOLUNTEERS. 

commotions, which at church and at meeting, disturbed his devotions/' and 
concluding 

with such a fine jingle 



Of words, which he had so contrived to mingle, 

That whether read backwards, or sideways, or straight ; 

It was equally sensible, equally bright ; 

Which, soon as the wooden committee had heard, 

They the wonderful orator three times three cheered. 

Then each gave him thanks in a bumper of wine, 

And Natty declared, " it wath vethy fine" 

This letter ends with the melancholy black-balling of Natty as an officer, who 
sinks in anguish and is recovered by his friend Dr. Simper's phlebotomy . 
The third epistle is so good, that I give it nearly entire. 

The Halnaby brewer, red-fac'd as a dragon, 

Got a barrel of yeast, by the Newcastle waggon, 

And in carrying it home to recruit his strong beer, 

(The house, you know, always remark'd for good cheer), 

The sun screening off by his coat like a wise man, 

Was met in the street by a cunning Exciseman: 

Who question 'd him 'bout the contents of his cask: 

The brewer, with an oath, said " he'd no right to ask," 

The gauger not liking the size of his fist, 

Call'd in the military now to assist; 

To the scene Captain Noddy, a file of men led, 

With Corporal Nat and Bar.ebones at their head; 

The brewer, with such heroes, not liking to quarrel, 

Very deliberately set down his barrel, 

And soon as the screw put the bung into motion, 

Each house in the Market-place felt the explosion; 

But oh! had you seen our brave warriors then, 

Here laid Captain Noddy, and there laid his men, 

So besmeared with yeast from the foot to the head, 

They look'd like Falstaff's men, all in buckram laid dead; 

All our medical men were call'd on for assistance, 

It was well that the Faculty were at no distance, 

With cordials and lancets, mops, dishclouts, and soap, 

Captain Nod was enabled one winker to ope, 

And the first words he spoke to the folk who stood by, 

Were, " My friends, Pm resolved to conquer or die!" 

Ever since he has been with false notions impress'd 

No one can convince him, the whole was but yeast. 

To please him his friends in the delusion join — 

To this day he believes he was blown from a mine. 

While Barebones was blind, undergoing the drench, 
He thought he was feather'd and tarr'd by the French: 
He begg'd "that the monsieurs would spare but his life, 
" For the sake of his little ones and his dear wife." 
He confessed " that he had chang'd sides it was true, 
" But his customers threaten'd, and what could he do, 



THE DARLINGTON VOLUNTEERS. 163 

M That his sentiments still remain'd fixt and the same, 
" Hforc'd to disguise them, he was not to blame." 
He was going on thus, when he open'd his eyes. 
(You may better conceive, than describe his surprise.) 

Poor Natty got pretty well clear of the matter, 
Tho' some half-crowns it cost him in lavendar water. 

Now soon as these tidings had reached Sir Ralph, 

And (tho' he'd lost his yeast), that our captain was safe, 

He sent for our officers with him to dine, 

To wash off the disgrace with a soaking of wine. 

O what hurry and bustle was there to get ready 

Their uniforms to meet Sir Ralph and his Lady. 

And before these smart beaux could appear out, God bless 'em, 

They had each to send for the drill sergeant to dress 'em, 

But now they set forward in post-chaise and four, 

(The colonel and lady had gone on before), 

As soon as the squad reached Halnaby gates, 

And the servants had once got a sight of their pates, 

Away they all flew, and close bolted the doors, 

Expecting not one was to live many hours. 

Sir Ralph some other friends asked to meet 'em, 

(With a more curious dish sure he never could treat 'em), 

They were all in the drawing-room chasing the vapours, 

And killing dull time with light-chat and the papers, 

When in bolts the valet like one in despair, 

So pale was his face and erect was his hair, 

His mouth was wide open, and staring his eyes, 

When he stammer'd out " Sir, here's the French in disguise !' 

The confusion had now very general grown, 

Such running and screaming both up stairs and down, 

When the colonel luckily looking out saw 

His bedizened brethren all waiting below, 

The doors were unlock 'd and in came such a corps, 

(Captain Nod at their head) as was ne'er seen before, 

The ladies arranged their dress and their features, 

Not doubting a conquest 'mong five handsome creatures; 

But with what contempt did each turn up her nose, 

When she saw such Monmouth-street pegs hung with clothes, 

They bow'd and they scrap'd moving both feet and head, 

Look'd as tame as five lambs, but not one word was said. 

When dinner was serv'd they laid siege to the dishes, 

But still they remain'd as mute as five fishes. 

Sir Ralph, to break silence, begg'd Noddy would join 

His lady or him in a glass of good wine. 

Noddy answer'd him straightway " blown up by a mine!'' 

This strange exclamation made the ladies all stare, 

Expecting they all should be blown in the air, 

But Noddy unmov'd, took his mutton and wine, 

Tho' whenever he spoke, 'twas " blown up by a mine!'" 

The fears of the ladies being somewhat suppress'd 

They endeavoured to get something out of the rest. 

They address'd little Doctor — tho' before looking simple, 

His face brighten'd up and he show'd off his dimple. 



164 THE BOULDER STONE 

" Captain Simper," said one, " do permit me to ask, 

" For if one don't know, 'tis an awkwardish task, 

" How to fill a smelling-bottle without making- a slop." 

" Maam" he answered, " I oolways pat the battle in a cap!' 

This superfine lingo set all in a roar, 

And not one of them ventured that day a word more. 

To narrate the excitement in the town on the arrival of every post, and 
the rejoicings on the news of every victory, would be merely to write the 
history of every other town. The contents of the newspapers were duly pro- 
claimed from Bulmers Stone in Northgate by old Willy Buhner, to a host 
of rustic counsellors assembled round him, and arrayed it with more conse- 
quence than even its marvellous revolving properties, for 

$n =©amt0tt toune t|)er tS a Statu, 
Hnfc most Straunge fe #t to tell, 
Cfyat gt turned nint times rountf alioute 
)«i gt Ijcars ge Clod* Strtfce tfoell. 



Bulmer's stone stands in the front of some low cottages constituting North- 
gate House, and was only saved from the inhuman picks of some overseers 
who wanted to turn sextons, by being claimed as an appurtenance to those 
tenements, which were in a great measure built with round cobble stones. 
Like the many other rounded or water-worn fragments of the rocks at Shap 
Fell in Westmoreland, scattered over the North, it is called a boulder stone, 
as also from the use the weavers made of it to beat their linen yarn upon, a 
battling stone. A similar stone, used for a similar purpose, is on the brink 
of the Tees on the Yorkshire side at Piercebridge, and both have survived 
their occupation ; since " the times are changed ,and even we, seem changed 
with the times to be/' 

I have seen in a MS. letter the Boulder stone of Darlington classified with 
the black stone of Mecca, the clack Dhu or black stone of Scottish villages, 
and the smooth stones of the stream which the idolatrous people of God 
chose for their portion.* It may be so. Villages and towns oft-times arose 
around the Boulder stones, and legends almost invariably attach themselves 
to them, seeming the last lingerings of an old superstition which sprung from 
a natural feeling of reverence in men. They well knew that the finger of 
God had placed them there in some awful operation or disruption of nature, 
and congregated beside what gradually became an object of adoration. 

This is not the place for any discussion as to the cause of boulders rolling 
up hill and down hill from their native cliffs to the places they now occupy, 
sometimes above and sometimes below their original level. It is, however, 
probable that they marched under the influence of glacial action, in whatever 

* Isaiah, lvii. 6, 



IN NORTHGATE. 165 

manner it might be developed. Further this deponent sayeth not, and 
leaves the stone alone. <§{ non 6te jaccrc \)unc lapttJcm, pcrmttte jaccre. 

1826. William Van Mildert, Bishop, and last Count Palatine. For 
in our own time of restless and useless change, the legislature decreed that 
this blameless prelate should be idtimus suorum, and the fitting splendour of 
his obsequies, in 1836, were attended by a respect and a feeling which shone 
brightly in the cold mists of reform. Verbum sap. — " Yon kingless throne 
is now for ever bare ! " 

1832. May 16. A large meeting was held in front of the Town Hall, 
when a petition to the Commons, praying them to address the king to recall 
Earl Grey to the nation, and also to withhold all supplies to government of the 
public money, until such a reform as would satisfy the country be granted, 
was unanimously agreed to. The speakers were Thos. Bowes, esq., Warren 
Maude, esq., Messrs. Sherwood, Mewburn, John Pease, Joseph Pease, sen., 
Nesham, Eobinson, Coates, Hogarth, &c* 

1832. June 9. A meeting in the Town Hall resolved to express their 
satisfaction at the passing of the Reform Bill, by giving a dinner to the 
operatives of the town, and a committee was nominated to make the neces- 
sary arrangements. The following Tuesday was fixed upon, and many gen- 
tlemen and ladies purchased tickets which they distributed gratis. Three 
large oxen were bought, with a suitable proportion of bread, ale, and vegeta- 
bles, besides a large supply of plum pudding, which was furnished by the 
liberality of private individuals and of the principal innkeepers, the latter of 
whom also undertook to cook. Every department was allotted to committees 
of three or four gentlemen. All the trades were marshalled under their 
respective banners by Mr. Geo. Elwin, and the order in which they were to 
march was fixed by ballot. The Darlington and West Auckland bands 
volunteered their services, and were provided with tickets for the dinner. 
The timber-merchants furnished deals, which were formed into tables, from 
20 to 50 yards in length, in the market-place, and these were covered with 
cloth, furnished by the drapers. The tables were so arranged, that the ele- 
gant gas column in the square formed the centre, the spaces being wide 
enough to admit of the attendants freely passing each other, and the ale was 
in the shambles, under the charge of three gentlemen who were to distribute 
it to the tables. At 12 o'clock precisely the procession moved in the follow- 
ing order, from the Town Hall, amidst the thunders of thousands of voices : 
— The National Flag, one hundred gentlemen, four abreast ; Earl Grey's 
Arms ; Lord Brougham's Arms ; the Darlington band ; an Emblematic 
Flag ; the Lodge of Odd Fellows, in full dress ; a banner ; the Woolcombers, 
with a sliver of blue and white wool across their breasts ; a banner ; the 
Coach-makers ; a banner ; the Coopers ; a banner ; the Worsted-weavers ; 
a banner ; the Linen-weavers ; a banner ; the Bricklayers ; a banner ; the 

* Sykes. 



1(W THE REFORM BILL. 

Flax-dressers ; a banner ; the Shoemakers ; a banner ; the Carpenters ; a 
banner ; the Tanners, Curriers, Skinners, and Finishers, in their respective 
dresses and banners ; a banner ; the Bleachers ; a banner ; the Carpet- 
weavers, with a skein of blue, red, and white worsted yarn across their 
shoulder ; a banner ; the Sawyers ; a banner ; the Tailors ; a banner ; the 
Smiths ; a banner ; the Gardeners, with a triumphal arch and crown of ever- 
greens ; a banner ; the Painters ; a banner ; the Plumbers ; a banner ; the 
Shopmen ; a banner ; the Railway men. The procession marched round the 
town-boundaries and through the principal streets, the bands playing, bells 
ringing, guns firing in all directions, and colours waving from the windows, 
roofs, and chimneys. Multitudes from the neighbourhood flocked in to wit- 
ness the magnificent spectacle. Upwards of 3000 men walked in the ranks, 
and so far as could be calculated, above 12,000 people were congregated on 
the occasion. The men of one tan-yard agreed to fine any one of themselves 
5s. who should be intoxicated on that day. After perambulating the town, 
which occupied nearly two hours, the whole body was drawn up round the 
market-place. The bands which had continued playing incessantly during 
the march, ceased, and, with them, the acclamations of the people ; for 
a minute there was a dead pause, all heads were uncovered, and at a given 
signal, three cheers from thousands rose to the skies. The various compan- 
ies then filed off to the tables till all were stationed, that every man might 
know his own place. The people were then dismissed for an hour. At three 
o'clock the trades arrived and took their places at the tables, on which the 
attendants expeditiously placed the smoking viands, and the disused custom 
was revived of servant and master exchanging duties with each other. The 
delegates and committee were engaged in carving for and waiting on, the 
people ; and at 4 o'clock they assembled at the work-house and dined to- 
gether, thus concluding a day of rejoicing such as was never before witnessed 
in the North of England. The workmen of Messrs. Parker, of Haughton- 
le-Skerne, joined in the procession, carrying their banners, and returned to 
Haughton, where they were sumptuously regaled with plum-pudding and 
roast beef. The wives, sisters, and daughters of those who had dined in 
public, were regaled with tea and cakes in the open air, in various parts of 
the town, by the kind contributions of the ladies of Darlington. The follow- 
ing are selected from hundreds of mottoes that were emblazoned on the float- 
ing draperies of the trades' banners and other private flags : — The glorious 
triumph of 1832 — May the Sun always shine on real Reformers, Earl Grey 
for ever — The Voice of the People is the Voice of God— Long live Earl Grey 
and all Reformers— The Day is ours — May the Sons of St. Crispin ever 
flourish with Reform — Let us rejoice, Reform is accomplished — The King, 
the People, and Reform — Reform is won, Victory is ours — Let the merry 
bells ring, Grey, Brougham, and the Bill— -By Perseverance we have con- 
quered — Truth and Justice have decided our Cause — Cleveland we adore — 
Durham we delight in—Long live Grey, Brougham, aud their Colleagues, 



SIR ROBERT PEEL'S VISIT. 107 

the Champions of Reform — A day of Liberty is worth an Eternity of Bond- 
age —Success to the Town and Trade of Darlington — No Corn Laws — No 
Tithes — The righteous Man falleth seven times and riseth again — Let the 
King put away the wicked from before him, and his throne shall be estab- 
lished in Righteousness — England must be free as the Thoughts of Man — 
United we stand, divided we fall — Grey and Brougham — Victory follows the 
Brave — The glorious Triumph of Grey and Brougham — England expects 
every Man to do his Duty.* 

1836. Edward Maltby. bishop. 

1847. Sep. 1. On his road to Wynyard Park on the occasion of the 
marriage of the Earl of Portarlington to Lady Alexandrina Vane, Sir Robert 
Peel was received in the Central Hall, at Darlington, by not less than 
from one thousand six hundred to two thousand persons. The borough 
bailiff, Francis Mewburn, esq., introduced the Right Honourable visitor, and 
Joseph Pease, esq., with an eloquent speech, presented him with the follow- 
ing address — 

" To the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel, bart., M.P. — We, the gentry, merchants, 
and inhabitants of the town of Darlington and its neighbourhood, in public meeting 
assembled, beg leave most respectfully to express to you, sir, the high satisfaction your 
arrival in this county has afforded us of addressing you, and giving utterance to our 
feelings of profound respect for, and admiration of, your distinguished talents, by which 
this country has, on many and important occasions, and under trying circumstances, 
been so signally benefitted. 

" We contemplate with admiration the fidelity, zeal, and ability, with which you 
discharged the high duties of Prime Minister to our most gracious Queen, and your 
patient, persevering, and successful advocacy of an enlightened policy, calculated to 
develope the immense resources and advance the general well-being of this great country. 

" To this tribute of our applause, respect, and gratitude, we add an expression of 
earnest desire that you may enjoy a long and uninterrupted life of health and happiness; 
and that whether in a more or less active sphere (as circumstances may require), you 
may still continue to give your Queen and your country the benefit of your services/' 

Sir Robert, on rising, was received with tremendous cheering, and pro- 
ceeded to reply to the address : — 

" Mr. Chief Bailiff, Mr. Pease, and gentlemen, — As my visit to this county has been 
influenced solely by considerations of private friendship, and as it necessarily will be of 
very limited duration, I did not expect that I should be called upon, to acknowledge any 
public demonstration of respect or approval, on account of the course which I have 
deemed it my duty to pursue as a minister of the crown, and as a member of the legis- 
lature. But I felt that I should make hut an ill return for the kindness with which 
you were disposed to welcome my arrival in this ancient town, if 1 had shown any 
hesitation in receiving this address, in the manner which I was informed would be most 
satisfactory to those who have been parties to it. And perhaps I may be permitted to 
avail myself of this opportunity of returning to other parties, with Avhom I have not the 
same advantage of personal communication, my cordial acknowledgements for their 
willingness to confer on me similar honours, had it been in my power to accept them. 
(Hear and cheers.) I consider myself very fortunate that I am enabled, in your presence, 

*,Sykes. 



158 PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. 

personally to express to you the deep sense which I feel of the honour which has been con- 
ferred upon me. (Hear, and loud cheers.) I thank you for your assurance of confidence 
and esteem, and for the hearty good wishes which are conveyed in this address (renewed 
cheers). You do me justice in believing, that it has been my earnest desire to exert my 
influence or authority which I may have possessed for the advancement of the great ob- 
jects referred to in this address — the developement of the national resources, and the 
promotion of the well-being and comfort of all classes of the community. (Loud and 
reiterated cheers.) By continuing to give my zealous support to all such measures as 
shall be calculated for the attainment of those important ends, I hope to be enabled to 
justify your confidence and to retain your favourable opinion (cheers). I now take 
leave of you, expressing my sincerest wishes for the prosperity of the town and neigh- 
bourhood of Darlington, and for the individual happiness and welfare of all whom I see 
around me." (Loud and long continued cheers.) 

Thanks were then accorded to the distinguished guest for his visit, and to 
the Bailiff. Sir Robert afterwards slightly partook of a luncheon, and left for 
Wynyard in a carriage and four, amidst the hearty cheers of thousands. 

This speech of the ex-minister created some sensation, and was freely re- 
marked on in the prints of the day, therefore 1 have given it a preference 
over coronation rejoicings, and other petty events, which occurred in every 
other town in the kingdom. 

These annals may properly be concluded by those of 



PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. 

Under the old palatine system, no knights were returned for this county 
to the general parliament, nor burgesses for the boroughs. In 1614, a few 
discontented gentlemen, who said " that they would humble the bishop and 
his courts together with all his clergy/'* attempted to obtain representatives 
for the county and city of Durham and borough of Barnard-castle, and in 
1620-1, the modest number of fourteen members in all for the same districts, 
and for divers other boroughs in the county, which, as Surtees remarks, 
" might possibly be Darlington, Stockton, and Gateshead/' were claimed very 
treasonably, as the house reasonably considered. Hartlepool and Barnard- 
castle were picked out, the one being a port town, the other " the Prince his 
town/' and the rest rejected "because of pestering the house; and because 
these incorporated by the bishop, not by the king!' Somehow all were thrown 
out. When the see was dissolved, the city and county each returned a 
member, on the restoration the privilege was swept away, but in 1666 a 
powerful attempt was made to regain representation, it being urged that the 
county since James I/s time had paid the general taxes (from which border 
service had before exempted it) and ought to have members to vote in their 
impositions. Cosin stood out manfully for his palatine privileges, and in 
1668 the bill was rejected, Mr. Vaughan declairng that if the commons had 
all their members there they would have no room for them. After his death, 
however, two for the county and two for the city were obtained (1673), 

* Cosin in 1667. 



PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. l(jy 

which arrangement continued till 1882, when the county was divided in two, 
and Darlington became the political metropolis of the southern division, which 
returns two members. 

A committee was formed in Darlington to secure the return of two liberal 
members for the new district, at the first election, and, subsequently, one of 
their number, Joseph Pease, jun., esq., (of the society of Friends), was nom- 
inated and was successful. The whole three candidates were, however, of 
liberal principles. They were 

Joseph Pease, jun., esq., Darlington, who polled .... 2273 
John Bowes, esq., Streatlam Castle, do. . . . . 2218 
Robert Duncomb Sbafto, esq., Whitworth, do 1841 

The novelty of the occasion brought in immense crowds on the chairing 
day, (Dec. 24), on which occasion the carriages and chairs provided for the 
two members, Pease and Bowes, were profusely decorated with ribbons and 
evergreens. They were returned without opposition in 1835 and 1837. 

To the historian, any particular manifestation of popular opinion must ever be re- 
garded as a sign of the times, and the progress of thought resulting in action. Such 
was the withdrawal of severe enactments against our fellow subjects attached to the 
church of Rome, and their admission to the Houses of Parliament. Such, under another 
phase, was the passing of the Reform Bill, the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, 
and, of a similar character, the decision of the constituency of South Durham. It was 
sanctioned and approved by the assembled Commons by unanimous vote, when Mr. 
Pease took his seat as the first quaker member of their powerful House. The manner 
in which his duties were performed constitutes no part of my history, but the circum- 
stance is interesting as an illustration of the onward working of opinion and its local 
developement. His subsequent appearances at Court, the drawing rooms and levees of 
Royalty, and at the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Victoria in the court costume of 
the " earlier Friends," were incidents specially noticed in the public journals of the 
time, as marking a change of sentiment. May it not be termed a proof of the waning 
reign of prejudice, and an advance beyond toleration, to the free enjoyment of privileges 
vested in electors and the elected, worthy of our happy and envied constitution. And 
may it not be truly said that South Durham and Darlington bore a conspicuous place in 
the march of mind and civilization. 

In 1841, Mr. Pease retired, but Mr. Bowes was again in the field, the 
candidates being 

Lord Harry Vane, (brother to the present duke of Cleveland) liberal, 

who polled 2547 

John Bowes, esq., liberal, who polled 2483 

James Farrer, esq., Ingleborough, Yks., conservative, do. . . 1739 

The successful members were conducted through the town on horseback, 
in lieu of chairing, on June 12, and a violent thunderstorm effectually damped 
all incipient disturbances, about which much apprehension had been felt. 

The proceedings at this election were marked throughout with riot. This was 
especially exemplified on Mr. Bowes's visit to Darlington, on the 28th June, for the 

y 



170 PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. 

purpose of addressing the electors. A more imposing spectacle has seldom been wit- 
nessed—the cavalcade, consisting principally of electors from Weardale, followed four 
and five abreast immediately in the rear of Mr. Bowes, who, with three of his friends, 
filled the first quadruple car. The following was the order of the procession: — Two 
gentlemen on horseback : the band playing " See the conquering hero comes : " the 
candidate and his friends : about three hundred horsemen, four abreast : a procession of 
carriages, filled with electors, succeeded by two hundred voters on horseback, each 
decorated with blue and white rosettes, &c, amid a large collection of banners. The 
procession paraded through the streets, and afterwards dispersed to the post houses. At 
2 o'clock, Joseph Pease, esq., late M.P. for the division, appeared in front of the Sun 
inn, and introduced Mr. Bowes. The scene which ensued baffles all description. Sta- 
tioned below the platform, were a few persons who commenced hooting, roaring, and 
bellowing, in such a manner as totally to prevent any below the platform hearing a single 
sentence delivered by Mr. Pease, who spoke, notwithstanding the tumult, for about 
twenty minutes. Mr. Bowes then followed, with a similar result for the space of half 
an hour, audible only to those close by him. After the speaking, the mob hovered 
about the market-place and on the High Row, with occasional outcries and the infliction 
of personal injury, until half-past 7 o'clock, when an altercation respecting a ribbon 
having taken place between two lads, they commenced fighting. The police interfered, 
and finding themselves, through their rashness, in an awkward dilemma, struck out, 
and one man, well known as a quiet inoffensive character, of the name of Robson, 
a butcher in Skinnergate, was unluckily struck by a police truncheon, and for some- 
time it was thought he was killed. A general attack was then made on the police who 
were obliged to fly in all directions, with loss of hats, truncheons, &c, two or three 
took refuge in the Town Hall, on which an attack was commenced and the windows 
smashed unremittingly, until past 11 o'clock, when their destruction being complete, a 
rush was made to the entrance door, which after some delay, was broken in, and had it 
not been for the scheming of some gentlemen in the news room at the south end of the 
building, who disguised the police, and smuggled them out by a private door, when the 
mob rushed in at the north end, they would doubtless have been massacred without 
mercy. The mob finding that they had escaped, tore up the bar railings, broke the 
forms and chairs, and committed every kind of outrage. They then formed in parties, 
and on their way home broke some windows in the upper story of Mr. D. Hampton's 
house, in the market-place, and made an attack on the Swiss Villa of T. E. Abbott, esq., 
Grange- road, and broke several windows* 

Mr. Bowes behaved in a truly honourable manner, in 1846, when he 
boldly published a letter to his constituents announcing a change in his 
views on agricultural protection, and his determination to support the com- 
mercial system of the government. A meeting was held at Darlington to 
express the approval of his supporters. He retired in 1847, having spent 
c^OjOOOf in contesting this division. In July, of that year, Lord Harry 
Vane and Mr. Farrer were returned without opposition, and perambulated 
the town in four-horsed carriages without being chaired. 

*** " Darlington, Posthouse, 10 September, 1789. Mr. Milbanke presents his most 
respectful compliments to the worthy freeholders of the town of Darlington, and will 
think himself greatly honoured to have the favour of their company at the Posthouse on 
Saturday Evening, at half-past Six 0' Clock to supper."— The immaculate candidate was 
successful, but the election did not take place until 28th June, 1790. 

* Richardson's Table Book, 
f Statement of Mr. Mewburn on the hustings. 



Chapter V. Cttle, 

A recorded title derived from this town derives only from 1685, but " Lord 
Darlington" figures in two ballads of great antiquity. One is a mere adapta- 
tion of " Lord Barnard and Little Musgrave," though the alias hereabouts 
is Barnabye rather than Barnard. The other is common to both sides of the 
Border, and I am in doubt to which side it properly belongs. However, I 
give Darlington in Durham the benefit of the doubt, and present the reader 
with a version,* cum notis : — 

Horfc Darlington. %\\ indent Eallafc. 

" we were sevent brave sisters, 

Five of us died wi' child ; 
And nane but you and I, Maisrey, 

So we'll gae maidens mild.J " 

" haud your tongue now, Lady Margaret, 

Let a* your folly be ; 
I'll gar you keep your true promise, 

To the lord§ ayont the sea.j| " 

* Given in Richardson's Table Book, by J. H. Dixon, esq-, Tollington Park, Hornsey 
Middlesex, as " transcribed from a MS. copy, in possession of an antiquarian friend, col- 
lated with one printed in Buchan's Ancient Ballads and Songs ; Edinburgh, 1828." I have 
also had Buchan's reading before me, and have slightly altered Dixon's version. The in- 
cidents are precisely the same as those in " Fair Mabel of Wallington" given in the Table 
Book also, from Ritson, but the latter is a splendid ballad. 

f An indefinite expression, as in scripture, so in ballads . 
we were sisters, sisters seven 
We were the fairest under heaven. — Cospalric. 

Z The exact translation of mitis, which is of the titles given to the Virgin and is rendered 
mild in many versions of the ancient hymns, though gentle would now more properly ex- 
press the meaning. 

§ Lad in Buchan. If the locality is Scotch, Laird is probably meant, but if English, what 
shall we say ? The manors of Darlington are episcopal, Newton is archidiaconal, but the 
freehold ones of Oxen-le-field and Blackwell are free to Mr. Dixon's proposition, that the 
Lord of a manor is meant. Yet in the next verse a baron is evidently meant, as superior to 
a knight. It must be observed that although the names in ballads are generally taken from 
some actual families or places, yet the reciters often adopted them for their own fictions 
at the dictation of fancy, exactly as do modern novelists, and it may be that Lord Dar- 
lington is as much a fancy name as any of the Stanleys or Nevilles in later romance. It 
might however be a bye-name, and it is a coincidence that Adam de Suatone and Eve his 
wife granted property at Derlingtone, about 1320, to Wm. de Walleworde, who, with Olive 
his wife, granted "manerium deDerlyngtone" (which, as manerium was of extensive import, 
must have been a small freehold estate) to Richard Porter, and a burgage to his wife Agnes. 

|| Supposing that Seaton Delaval was the lady's residence, no one in a Northumbrian 
village would now call Darlington ayont the sea, or a peasant there talk of bringing his 
bride o'er the sea from our borough, but when we call to mind how the interior of the 
northern counties was, in the feudal ages, infested with robbers, raiders, and marauders of 
all sorts, we may easily conceive that a Durham lover who, a la ' Johny Cope,' liked " to 
sleep in a hale skin," would prefer a sea voyage to Seaton Delaval, to a then more dangerous 
one by land. Dixon. 



172 TITLE. 

" there is neither lord nor knight, 

My love shall ever won ; 
Except it be Lord Darlington, 

And here he winna come * " 

But when the hour o' twall was past 

And near the hour o' ane ; 
Lord Darlington came to the yetts, t 

Wi' thirty knights and ten. 

It's he has wedded the Lady Margaret 

And brought her o'er the sea ; 
And there was nane that lived on earth 

Sae happy as was she. 

But when nine months were come and gane, 

Strong travailling took she ; 
And ne'er a leech in a' the land X 

Could ease her maladie. 

" Where will I get a little wee boy, 

Will won baith meat and fee ; 
That will gae on to Seaton's yetts 

And bring my mother to me ? " 

O ! out then spake the little foot page, 

And knelt on bended knee — 
" here am I, a little wee boy, 

That will won meat and fee ; 
That will gae on to Seaton's yetts, 

And bring your mother to thee." 

Then he is on to Seaton's yetts 

As fast as gang§ could he ; 
Says " ye must come to Darlington, 

Your daughter for to see." 

But when she came to Darlington town, 
Where there was little pride, || 

* In Dixon's version the 2nd and 4th lines stand : — " My true lover e'er shall be" — "And 
he winna come here to me." 

+ Afterwards called Seaton's yetts. There are three Seatons on the northern coast, 
Seaton Carew, Seaton Delaval, and Monk Seaton. As the yetts must mean the outer gates 
of some large mansion, probably Seaton Delaval is the true locality, and the heroine was 
one of the family of Delaval. So Dixon, but Buchan says that the unfortunate lady the 
last [but one] of her sisters was of the house of Seaton, Aberdeenshire, which certainly 
was much further ayont the sea. 

X " And nae physician in the land." Buchan. 
§ I suspect it is here meant that the page took a land journey. 

|| Whether this is any distinguishing mark of the present time it behoves me not to say. 
No very powerful family has ever resided there any time, and little else than a substantial 
council of burgesses and yeomen appear. The only place now in Scotland of the name is a 
modern portion of the inland manufacturing village of Stewarton, in Ayrshire. This sub- 
urb, originally called Templehouse and now Darlington, was fenced out by a Mr. Draus, 
who died in 1828, aged 49. A well-known author of Scotland informs me that in all his 



BALLADS. 1 73 

The scobbs* were in the lady's mouth 
The sharp sheer in her side. 

Lord Darlington stood on the stair, 

And gart the gowd rings flee ; t 
" My halls and bowers, and a' shall gae waste 

If my bonny love die for me." 

" haud your tongue, Lord Darlington, 

Let a' your folly be ; 
I bore the bird within my sides, 

I'll suffer her to dee. 

" He that marries a daughter o' mine 

I wot he is a fule : 
If he marries her at Candlemas tide 

She'll be frae him at Ynle.J 

" I had seven ance in companie, 

This night I go my lane ; § 
When I come to the salt water|| 

I wish that I may drown." 

The other ballad was so imperfect that I had to supply the long blanks of 
my traditionary copy with verses a little altered from Percy's Lord Barnard 
and Little Musgrove. These are given in brackets. 

itortr Uarltngton anfc %itth JHuSgrofa. 

It was upon All-Hallows day 
Of all the days in the year; 

antiquarian dabblings, he never, to his recollection, fell on the name of Darlington con- 
nected with an actual place. In David Macpherson's accurate geographical index of Scot- 
land, in which all the places mentioned in the old writers of Scotland are inserted, Darling- 
ton occurs in black letter, which is his manner of indicating places not in Scotland, and 
from the reference given to the situation in the accompanying map, our Darlington is at 
once seen to be the place meant. Still, under 1650, it is stated both in "Britain's Tri- 
umphs"and " Memorials of the English affairs," two publications of the 17th cent., that the 
English surprised a party of moss-troopers in Darlington Castle, whic h is associated with 
proceedings against Dalhousie and Roslin Castle, two places in Midlothian well known, from 
which one would expect to find Darlington within ten miles of Edinburgh. Yet the afore- 
said courteous author, who resides in that ancient capital and is familiar with the district, 
never heard of such a place, and, as it does not occur on an inspection of Thomson's map of 
Edinburghshire, suspects that the English journalists have mistaken it for Dalkeith. 
Among my northern brethren be this Gordian knot. I am unable to trace the seal of "Lord 
Darlington, in yellow wax, ancient," mentioned in Fox's catalogue of the Allan Museum. 

* Sores, 
•f* " She kickt the table with her foot, she kickt it with her knee, 
The silver plate into the fire so far she made it flee." 

Fair Mabel of Wallington. 

% The young ladies, according to Calvin's doctrine, had been predestinated ere they were 
born, to die in childbed, and nothing could have saved them, as the decree had gone forth. 
Buchan. § I. e. my way. 

|| " And when I come to Clyde's water." — Buchan* This passage points out Darlington 
as lying south from Aberdeenshire, although the scent cannot be pursued further, our good 
town being on the east side of the island instead of the west. 



174 TITLE. 

Little Musgrove to church would go 
To see all the ladyes fair. 

The first he met was clad in red, 

The second was all in green, 
The third she was my Lord Darlington's* Lady 

The fairest that ever was seen. 

[She cast an eye on Little Musgrove 

As bright as the summer's sun, 
O then bethought him Little Musgrove 

This ladye's heart I have won. 

Quoth she, " I have loved thee, LittJe Musgrove, 

Full long and many a day." 
" So have I loved you, my lady fair, 

Yet word I never durst say." 

" I have a bower at Oxenhall,+ 

Full daintily bedight, 
If thoult wend thither, my Little Musgrove, 

Thou shalt lie in my arms all night." 

Quoth he, "I thank ye, ladye fair, 

This kindness ye shew to me ; 
And whether it be to my weal or woe, 

This night I will lie with thee." 

All this beheard a little foot-page, 

By his ladye's coach as he ran : 
Quoth he, " Though I am my ladye's page, 

Yet I'm my Lord Darlington's man. 

Lord Darlington he shall know of this, 

Although I lose a limbe, 
And where the briggs are broken down 

I'll lay me down and swim." 

Like a harried man] sometimes he walked, 

[A mile] sometimes he ran, 
Until he came to the broken brigg, 

Then he laid on his back and he swam. 

["Asleep or awake, my Lord Darlington, 
As thou art a man of life, 

* See the notes on this name in the last ballad, 
f Bucklesford-Bury, in Percy. It is evident that in both versions the bower was an 
estate distinct from the injured husband's own lands. In mine the lady talks of her father's 
shepherd, and in Percy's Lord Barnard offers all Bncklesford-Bury to his page if he told 
true, an offer palpably absurd had it been his own ancient inheritance. To suit the Dur- 
ham edition, I have taken Oxenhall as a fitting place. The reader may imagine that the 
lady was the heiress of the Oxenhalls, who became extinct circa 1 340, and that Lord Dar- 
lington treated their estate as his own in expectancy of his father-in-law's death. — It will 
be observed that the lady reached the bower by a coach from the parish church, a circum- 
stance which also pointed out Oxenhall as convenient for me. 



BALLADS. 175 



Lo ! tliis same night at Oxenhall, 
Little Musgrove he lies with thy wife." 

" If it be true, thou little foot-page, 

This tale thou hast told to me, 
Then all my lands at Oxenhall 

I freely will give to thee. 

But and it be a lie, thou little foot-page, 

This tale thou hast told to me, 
On the highest tree at Oxenhall 

All hanged thou shalt be." 

" Rise up, rise up, my merry men all, 

And saddle me my good steed ; 
For this night must I to Oxenhall ; 

God wot, I had never more need."] 

There was one of Lord Darlington's shepherds 

That bore Musgrove good will, 
He put his horn unto his mouth 

And blew both loud and shrill. 

And all the words that he did say 

Were "Away, Musgrove, away ! 
For if Lord Darlington catch you here 

With a sword he will you slay.'' 

Little Musgrove he did arise 

To hear what the horn did say, 
[" Methinks 1 hear Lord Darlington's horn 

I would I were away."] 

" Lie still, lie still, my Little Musgrove, 

And keep me from the cold : 
'Tis only one of my father 's shepherds 

Coming riding through the fold. 

[Is not thy hawke upon the perch, 
Thy horse eating corn and hay 1 

Is not a gay lady within thine arms : 
And wouldst thou be away ? " 

By this Lord Darlington reached the door 

And lighted upon a stone : 
And he pulled out three silver keys, 

And opened the doors each one.] 

" How do you like my bed, Musgrove, 

How do you like my sheet 1 
How do you like the fair ladye 

That lies in your arms so sweet 1 " 

" It is well I like your bed, my Lord, 
And better I like your sheet, 



176 TITLE. 

And better I like the fair ladye 
That lies in my arms so sweet." 

"Arise, arise, my little Musgrove, 

And put your clothing on : 
It shall never be said in all my life, 

That I slew a naked man." 

The very first blow Lord Darlington gave 

His wife got a deadly wound, 
The very next blow Lord Darlington gave 

Musgrove lay dead on the ground. 

" Make a grave both wide and deep 

To put this couple in : 
And lay Lady Darlington on the right side* 

For she's come of a far better kin." 

So merrily sung the nightingale, 

So sorrowful sung the sparrow ; 
Lord Darlington he has killed two to-day 

And he's to be hung to-morrow. 

I add one more ballad, of exquisite sadness. 

prince 3ftofcn*t 

Published in /Scoffs Border Minstrelsy, from the recitation of Miss Christian . 
Rutherford, sister to Sir Walter Scott's mother. 

Prince Robert has wedded a gay ladye, 
He has wedded her with a ring: 
Prince Robert has wedded a gay ladye, 
But he darna bring her hame. 

" Your blessing, your blessing, my mother dear! 
Your blessing now grant to me!" — 
" Instead of a blessing ye sail have my curse, 
And you'll get nae blessing frae me." — 

She has called upon her waiting-maid, 
To fill a glass of wine ; 
She has call'd upon her fause steward, 
To put rank poison in. 

She has put it to her roudesf lip, 
And to her roudes chin ; 
She has put it to her fause fause mouth, 
But the never a drap gaed in. 

* " But lay my ladye o' the upper hande, 
Forshee comes o' the better kin." — Percy. 
The Musgroves were however a most excellent family of Cumberland, possessing "theLuck 
of Edenhall." 

The concluding stanza has no likeness to Percy, and the punishment of hanging is im- 
probable under the circumstances. + Haere-ard. 



BALLADS. 177 

He has put it to his bonny mouth, 
And to his bonny chin, 
He has put it to his cherry lip, 
And sae fast the rank poison ran in. 

"0 ye hae poison'd your ae son, mother, 
Youre ae son and your heir ; 
O ye hae poison'd your ae son, mother, 
And sons you'll never hae mair. 

" where will I get a little boy, 
That will win hose and shoon, 
To rin sae fast to Darlinton, 
And bid fair Eleanor come 1 '' — 

Then up and spake a little boy, 
That wad win hose and shoon, — 
" I'll away to Darlinton, 
And bid fair Eleanor come." — 

O he has run to Darlinton, 

And tirled at the pin ;* 

And wha was sae ready as Eleanor's sell 

To let the bonny boy in. 

" Youre gude mother has made ye a rare dinour, 
She has made it baith good and fine ; 
Your gude mother has made ye a gay dinour, 
And ye maun cum till her and dine." — 

It's twenty lang miles to Sillertoun town, 

The langest that ever were gane : 

But the steed it was wight, and the lady was light, 

And she cam linkin't in. 

But when she came to Sillertoun town,^ 

And into Sillertoun ha', 

The torches were burning, the ladies were mourning, 

And they were weeping a'. 

"0 where is now my wedded lord, 
And where now can he be ? 
O where is now my wedded lord ? 
For him I canna see."— 

" Your wedded lord is dead," she says, 
"And just gane to be laid in the clay : 
Your wedded lord is dead," she says, 
"And just gane to be buried the day. 

* In the old method of latching doors there was a pin inside which was turned round to 
raise the latch. The expression here, I suppose, is synonymous with our " rattling a sneck." 

■f Riding briskly. 
% Silton, near Northallerton, supposed to be the Seleton of the Saxons, is perhaps meant , 
but, as before mentioned, little dependence must be placed on ballad localities. Indeed 
Motherwell's editoin of Prince Robert, substitutes Sittengen's Rocks for Darlington. 

2 



178 TITLE. 

" Ye'se get nane o' his gowd, ye'se get nan<? o' his gear, 
Ye'se get nae thing frae me : 
Ye'se no get an inch o' his gude braid land, 
Though your heart suld burst in three." — 

" I want nane o' Ms gowd, I want nane o' his gear, 

I want nae land frae thee : 

But I'll hae the rings that's on his finger, 

For them he did promise to me." — 

w Ye'se no get the rings that's on his finger, 
Ye'se no get them frae me ; 
Ye'e no get the rings that's on his finger, 
An your heart suld burst in three." — 

She's turn'd her back unto the wa', 
And her face unto a rock ; 
And there, before the mother's face, 
Her very heart it broke. 

The tane was buried in Marie's kirk, 
The tother in Marie's quair ;* 
And out o' the tane there sprang a birk, 
And out o' the tother a brier. 

And thae twa met, and thae twa plat, . 
The birk but and the brier ; 
And by that ye may very weel ken 
They were twa lovers dear. 

I return to proven histories. 

1685-6. Jan. 2. Catherine Sedley, daughter of Sir Charles of elegant 
and profligate memory, created by her royal paramour James II, Baroness of 
Darlington and Countess of Dorchester for life only. 



" Sedley cursed the form that pleased a king," and excused his defection from James 
in the keenest irony, " I hate ingratitude, and as his majesty has done me the unlooked 
for honour of making my daughter a countess, I cannot do less in return than endeavour 
to make his daughter a queen" Catherine inherited much of her father's wit and all his 
indelicacy. She said of herself and colleagues (Lady Susan Bellasis and Miss Godfrey) 
" I wonder why he keeps us; it cannot be our beauty, for he must see that we have 
none ; and it cannot be our wit, for if we have any, he has not enough to find it out." 
Personal charms indeed she had none, with the exception of two brilliant eyes, the lustre 
of which, however, seemed fierce and unfeminine. Her form was lean but stately, her 
countenance haggard. Charles ILliked her conversation, and course repartees, but, laugh- 
ing at her ugliness, said that the priests must have recommended her to his brother by 
way of penance. She laughed too, yet loved to adorn herself magnificently, and 
appeared in the theatre and the ring plastered, painted, clad in Brussels lace, glittering 
with diamonds, and affecting all the graces of eighteen. 

Catharine had been the cause of much uneasiness to Mary Beatrice, of Modena, while 

* The last two verses are common to many ballads, and are probably derived from some 
metrical romance, since we find the idea occur in the voluminous history of Sir Tristrem. 



CATHARINE SEDLEY. 179 

her husband was duke of York. On his accession to the throne, his mistress was pounced 
upon by Rochester and his party, as a medium for influencing him in opposition to 
to the queen's Catholic friends: seemingly pure and highminded cavaliers encouraged 
this vile design of tormenting a young queen, and even the countess of Rochester entered 
into it. Soon after James's accession the entreaties of his priests induced him to bid 
Catharine an eternal farewell, but she refused to leave Whitehall, and the amour was 
soon renewed by the instrumentality of Chiffinch. Catharine told her sovereign plainly 
what the Protestant lords only dared to hint, that his crown was at stake and that he 
was led to his ruin. In a fit of fondness, he determined to make her baroness of Dar- 
lington and countess of Dorchester; she saw all the peril of the step and declined the in- 
vidious honour; but he himself forced the patent into her hand. She at last accepted 
it on one condition, which was that he would give her a solemn promise that if he ever 
quitted her, he would himself announce his resolution to her and grant her a parting 
interview. 

Day after day the queen's dishes were untasted, and tears rolled down her cheeks in 
the presence of the whole circle of courtiers. " Let me go/' cried she to the king, " you 
have made your woman a countess; make her a queen! Put my crown on her head! 

Only let me hide myself in some convent where I may never see her more." " You 

are ready to put your kingdom to hazard for the sake of your soul; and yet you are 

throwing away your soul for the sake of that creature!" "Sir, is it possible that 

you would, for the sake of one passion, lose the merit of all your sacrifices?" The fact 
is that the king was alternately sinning and whipping himself, and Mary treasured up 
and at her death bequeathed to the convent of Chaillot, the scourge with which he had 
vigorously avenged her wrongs on his own shoulders. At last he was inveigled into a 
mourning multitude of Jesuits ; the queen told him she was determined to witness no 
longer her own degradation, she would withdraw into a convent, and when sobs choked 
her voice, his majesty was instantly assailed like the tyrant in a Greek chorus, by the 
united remonstrances of the chorus, until he stated that he conferred the title to break 
off the connection more decently and promised to banish her. He implored Catharine 
to depart. He owned his promise, but added " I know too well the power which you 
have over me, I have not strength of mind to keep my resolution if I see you." He 
offered to convey her in all dignity to Flanders, and then threatened she should be sent 
by force. She answered that she was a martyr, a Protestant victim, that she was a free- 
born Englishwoman and would dwell where she pleased, while the Habeas Corpus Act 
and Magna Charta were laws; the king must remove her by force and then she would 
appeal to these laws of her country, and recover her liberty; " and Flanders," she cried 
" never! I have learned one thing from my friend the duchess of Mazarine, and that is 
never to trust myself in a country where there are convents;" and " I will not cany my 
shame among strangers." The king urged that it might be said " if she remained in 
England that she had still some power over his mind," she replied "that it was his 
majesty to whom the power appertained, yet she would be pulled to pieces by four 
horses before she would consent to be parted from him." At last the bribe of a large 
estate in Ireland prevailed on her to retire to that country, however she soon re- 
turned and again was intimate with James, but he was more cautious, the queen more 
forgiving, the mistress had no political influence, and is little more heard of, while 
Rochester reaped retribution, in disgrace. 

Catherine had two children by the king (or Col. Graham the keeper of his privy purse) 
who owned them, 1. a son, who died young on the coronation day, and thus added to 
the many ill omens to the unhappy king on that event, and 2. Lady Catharine Darnley 
who was married 1. to the earl of Anglesey, and 2. to the Duke of Buckingham. She 
possessed some influence over her brother the Pretender, was extravagantly proud of her 
royal blood, and was in every respect a veiy spirited and extraordinary woman. 

When Mary, the daughter of James, after the Revolution, as queen, turned her back 
on the Baroness of Darlington, the latter exclaimed " I beg your majesty to remember 



180 T1T ^ E - 

that if I broke one of the commandments with your father, you broke another against 
him. On that score we are both equal." After James's flight she married Sir David 
Collyer, first Earl of Portmore, by whom she had two sons, to whom she said " If any 

one calls you sons of a you must bear it, for so you are ; but if they call you bastards 

fight till you die, for you are Sir David's sons."* 

1722. Apr. 10. Sophia Charlotte, Baroness of Kilmanseck, Countess of 
Platen and Countess of Leinster in Ireland, was created Baroness of Brent- 
ford and Countess of Darlington for life. 

The women of the Meisenberg family for three generations engaged the amorous 
attentions of the house of Brunswick Luneburg. The Countess of Darlington's mother 
(daughter of Count Earl Philip von Meisenberg, and wife of M. [afterwards Count] 
Platen) was mistress to the old Elector of Hanover ; she herself (and it seems almost 
incredible) to George I. his son, and her niece, the Countess of Yarmouth, to George II. 
Her mother had been too intimate also with the Count Konigsmark, and to stop the 
scandal had offered her daughter in marriage to him, but to his own murder and the 
melancholy imprisonment for life of the young queen of George I., he declined on scru- 
ples of conscience. These by no means afflicted George, who accepted the young Count- 
ess Platen as a mistress. She made a hasty match with a M. Kilmanseck to conceal 
her profligacy, and slipping her creditors, joined the Elector on his journey to England 
at a time when his other favourites hesitated to leave their own Hanover to reside in 
such a place. The king was pleased with her zeal, and she was for some time his 
reigning sultana. Honours were showered on the German demireps who made pretty 
pickings out of everything corrupt, and obtained the emoluments of various posts, the 
vacant ones being happily small, or else the degraded kingdom might have had the 
Countess of Darlington for Archbishop of Canterbury. One of the German ladies being 
abused by the mob, was said to have put her head out of the coach, and cried in bad 
English, " Good people, why you abuse us ? We come for all your goods ! " "Yes, 
and be d — d to you," answered a fellow, "and for all our chattels too." 

" Lady Darlington," says Horace Walpole, "whom I saw at my mother's in my in- 
fancy, and whom I remember by being terrified by her enormous figure, was as corpu- 
lent and ample as the Duchess of Kendal was long and emaciated. Two fierce black 
eyes, large and rolling, beneath two lofty arched eyebrows ; two acres of cheeks spread 
with crimson ; an ocean of neck that overflowed, and was not distinguished from the 
lower part of her body ; and no part restrained by stays — no wonder that a child dreaded 
such an ogress." 

So unwieldy in bulk was this distinguished ornament of the court of St. James's, that 
the wits of the day bestowed on her the cognomen of " The Elephant and Castle." 
From another valuable authority we have a delineation a little less repulsive. " She 
had a greater vivacity in conversation," observes Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, " that 
ever I knew in a German of either sex. She loved reading, and had a taste for all 
polite learning. Her humour was easy and sociable. Her constitution inclined her to 
gallantry. She was well-bred and amusing in company. She knew both how to please 
and be pleased, and had experience enough to know it was hard to do either without 
money. Her unlimited expenses had left her with very little remaining, and she made 
what haste she could to take advantage of the opinion the English had of her power 
with the king, by receiving the presents that were made her from all quarters; and 
which she knew very well must cease, when it was known that the kings idleness carried 
him to her lodgings without either regard for her advice or affection for her person, 
which time and very bad paint had left her without any of the charms that once attracted 

* Macauley and Lingard's Histories. Burnet's Own Time. Strickland's Queens of Eng- 
land. Suffolk Letters, &c 



MADAM KILMANSECK. 181 

him." The Pictorial History of England, iv. 383, makes a curious mistake, " The old 
lean mistress, the duchess of Kendal, stood firm for Walpole, but Carteret had secured 
the younger and thinner mistress, Madam Kilmanseg, now countess of Darlington, and 
her sister Madam Platen." This " thinner mistress" was " the Elephant and Castle," 
and she had no sister.* 

No wonder the mob of London were highly diverted at their sovereign's tastes, and 
every sort of abuse was directed by the Jacobites against the court.f 

" The ogress" had one daughter (Charlotte) by the king, who shared handsomely in the 
general plunder, and afterwards married Viscount Howe, by whom she had a son des- 
tined to raise the family to an enviable distinction. He was Admiral Lord Howe. 

The countess of Darlington died some years before the Duchess of Kendal. Her arms 
are inserted in Allan's Illustrated Camden. Quarterly, 1 and 4, Az. three mullets ar. 2, 
or, a lion rampant gu. 3, vert, two fox's heads erased (Argent ?) facing each other. On 
an escutcheon of pretence Ar. three roses gu. Supporters, two lions rampant gu. 
crowned or, each charged with an escutcheon (arg. three roses gu.) 

I gladly pass from these unpleasant characters to a gallant race of our 
English Aristocracy, and insert 

C^e ^efctgm of tlje famtlw of Want, QBavU of JBarXtngton ano" 
iBute of ClebelantJ. 

The early part of the Vane pedigree is much confused, but may be seen in the peer- 
ages. The family came from Monmouthshire to Kent. The first of the race connected 
with this county was 

SIR HENRY VANE, a distinguished politician, Ambassador to various states, and 
Secretary of State to King Charles I., having been knighted by James I. in 1611. His 
dismissal from his offices and enmity to the Earl of Strafford (who, out of contempt to 
the Vanes, had been created Baron of Raby), with his consequent adherence to the Par- 
liament, are matters of general history. He purchased Raby and Barnard Castle, and 
all the demesnes thereto belonging, from the crown (see p. 121). He entertained Charles 
I. at his castle at Raby in May, 1633, in his way to Scotland to be crowned ; and he 
did the like in April, 1639, on the King's expedition to Scotland, when Sir Henry com- 
manded a regiment of 1000 men. He died in 1654-5, aged 69, having m. Frances, d. 
and coh. of Tho. Darcy, of Tolshunt-Darcy, in co. Essex, esq., (she was bur. at Ship- 
bourne, in Kent, 1663) by whom he had issue ; 

i. Sir Henry, his successor. 

ii. Thomas. } dminft 

in. John. I 

iv. Sir George Vane, of Long Newton, knighted 1640, m. Elizabeth, the dau. and 
heiress of Sir Lyonel Maddison of Rogerly, co. Durham and Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne. He d. 1679, and was buried in Long Newton church, where there is a 
monument to him. 

HIS HONOUR WONNE l'TH FIELD LIES HERE IN DUST, 
HIS HONOUR GOT BY GRACE SHALL NEVER RUST ; 
THE FORMER FADES, THE LATTER SHALL FAILE NEVER, 
FOR WHY, HE WAS s'r GEORGE ONCE, b't ST. GEORGE EVER. 

He was succeeded by his eldest son, 

LIONEL, M.P. for the county of Durham, chosen 1698, 1700, 1701, who mar. Catherine, dau. and 
at length co-heir of Sir Geo. Fletcher. Bart., and was grandfather of 

THE REV. HENRY VANE, D.D., Rector of Long Newton, and prebendary of Durham, 
created a Baronet in 1784, who mar. Frances, dau. of John Tempest, esq., and at 
length sole heiress of her brother John Tempest of Wynyard, and Old Durham, esq, 
and was succeeded by his only son and heir, 

* Memoirs of Sophia Dorothea, Colburn, 1845, whence this sketch is chiefly derived 

+ Horace Walpole. 



182 TITLE. 

SIR Henry VANE, Bart., who assumed the additional name of Tempest; he 
mar. 28th April, 1799, Anne Catherine, Countess of Antrim, and dying in 
1813, was succeeded hy his only dau. and heiress. 

FRANCES Anne EMILY, born 16 Jan, 1800, mar. 3 April, 1819, to 
Charles- William, present Marquis of Londonderry, who by royal 
licence assumed the name of Vane only. 

v. Sir Walter Vane, of Shipbourne, a major-general under the Prince of Orange, 

killed at the battle of Seneffe in Germany, Aug. 1647. d. s. p. 
vi. Charles Vane of Chopwell, Durham, d. unm. 
vii. William. i , . M . 
viii, Edward. } d - unm ' 

1. Margaret, m. Sir Tho. Penham. 

2. Frances, m. Sir Robert Honeywood. 

3. Anne, m. Sir Tho. Liddell of Ravensworth. 

4. Elizabeth, m. Sir Fra. Vincent. 

5. Catharine, d. unm. 1692. 

SIR HENRY VANE (knighted by K. Char. I. 1640) " whose fame speaks trumpet- 
tongued to the hearts of Englishmen," is immortalized in Milton's beautiful sonnet, and 
no less so by Cromwell's celebrated ejaculation, u Sir Harry Vane, Sir Harry Vane — 
the Lord deliver me from Sir Harry Vane." In Geneva he had imbibed many odd 
notions against the form of the government and the liturgy, inclining to the opinion of 
Origen that devils and all should be saved * His subsequent attachment to the Parlia- 
ment brought him strikingly out in the scene of politics, and Charles II. thinking that 
" certaynly he is too dangerous a man to lett live, if we can honestly put him out of the 
way/'f brought him to the block 14 June, 1662, when the drums struck up to prevent 
his being heard. While Treasurer to the Navy, (a place he held till the first wars be- 
tween the English and Dutch) his fees amounted to little less than 30,000^. yearly ; 
which he considering to be too much for a private subject, with rare honour gave up 
his patent (from Charles I. for life) to the then Parliament, desiring but 20001. yearly 
for an agent he had bred up to the business, and the remainder to go to the public.^ 
He was bur. at Shipbourne. His wife, Frances, dau. of Sir Chr. Wray, of Grlentworth, 
Line. Bart., d. in 1679 and was bur. at the same place, having had issue 

i. Henry. \ 

ii. William. I d. s.p. 

in. Richard I 

iv. Thomas, m. Frances, dr. of Sir Tho. Liddell ; he was elected M.P. for the county 
of Durham, 21 June, 1675. He was attacked by the small-pox, and " was in a 
fever at Raby upon the day of his election, whereby he died the fourth day after, 
June 25th, in the morning." He died s. p., aged 23, and was bur. at Staindrop. 

v. Christopher. 

vi. Cecil. -j 

vn. Edward. 1 d. inf- 

viii. Henry. J 

1. Dorothy, m. Tho. Crispe of Essex, in 1679. 

2. Frances, m. Edw. Kegwick, esq. 

3. Mary, m- Sir James Tillie, of Pentillie Castle, Cornwall, knt. d. s.p. 1682, bur. at 

Shipbourne. 

4. Anne. \ •, 

5. Catherine. ) ^ unm. 

6. Albinia, m. Henry Forth, esq., an Alderman of London, and had issue Hen. Forth, 

esq., of Darlington, who m. Ann dr. of Richard Hilton, esq., and was bur. among 
the Hiltons at the entrance of Darlington Church in 1746. (See further in pedi- 
gree of Helton, Hylton, or Hilton hereafter.) 

CHRISTOPHER VANE, created Baron Barnard of Barnard Castle, 8 July, 1699, 
with remainder to heirs male. The title of Raby would have been preferred, but it was 
still in the male descendants of the unfortunate Strafford's younger brother. He suc- 
ceeded his brother Thomas Vane as M. P. for the county of Durham 25 Oct., 1675, and 
was ousted in the elections of 1679 and 1680. He d. 28 Oct. 1723, aged 70, and was 

* Surtees letters. J. B. T. f Royal letter. Lansdown Collection, p. 125. 

± Collins. 



THE VAXES. 183 

bur. at Shipbourne. He m. Elizabeth, eldest dau. of Gilbert Holies, Earl of Clare, and 
sister and co-heir to John, Duke of Newcastle, by whom he had issue 

i. Henry. \ j - nf 

ii. Christopher. ) a ' mJ ' 

in. Gilbert. 

iv. William, chosen M.P. for this county in 1708, created Viscount Vane and Baron 
of Duncannon, co. Tyrone, in 1720, d. suddenly of an apoplexy, at his seat of 
Fairlawn, 20 May, 1734, aged 53, having three days before been elected M.P. for 
Kent, br, 5 June at Shipbourne. He m. Lucy, dr. and co-heiress of Wm. Jolliffe, 
esq., of Caverswell, Staffs. She d. 27 March, 1742, was bur. at Shipbourne, and 
had issue 

I. Christopher, d. 1721, aged 17, hur. at SMpbourrte. 

II. John, d. at Naples, 5 Feb. 1723, aged 17, hur. at Shipbourne 17 Apr. 

III. WILLIAM, b. 1714, succeeded as VISCOUNT VANE in 1734, mar. Frances, dau. of Francis 
Hawes, esq. and widow of Lord William Hamilton, d. 5 Apr. 1789 s.p. when the title hecame 
extinct, hur. at Shipbourne. An Act passed for the sale of his estates to pay his debts, and 
the tithes of Darlington which had been settled upon these Lords of Fairlawn, reverted 
thereupon to the main line by purchase. 

1. Elizabeth. \ 

2. Albinia. [ d. inf* 

3. Mary. J 

4. Grace, survived her father. 

GILBERT VANE, Baron Barnard, d. 1753, aged 75. m. Mary, dr. of Morgan 
Randy 11, of Chil worth, Surrey, esq. ; she d. at Newark, 4 Aug., 1728, aged 47, having 
had issue 

i. Henry. 

ii. Morgan, made Comptroller of the Stamp Office in 1732, m. Margaretta, dr. of Mr. 
Robert Knight, formerly Cashier to the South Sea Company, by whom there was 
a son, Morgan Vane. She d. at the Bath in May, 1739. He mar. secondly Anna 
Maria, dau. of— Fowler, esq., and thirdly to Mary, sister to John Woodyear, 
esq., by whom he had a dau- Mary Vane. 

in. Thomas, d. 1 9 Feb. 1758. 

iv. Gilbert, a Lieut.-Colonel in the Army, died unmarried in 1772. 

v. Randal, died unmarried 1736. 

vi. Charles, of Mount Ida, Norf, had an only dr. Henrietta, who m. Sir William 
Langham, Bart. 

1. Anne, maid of honour to Queen Caroline ; she d. at the Bath, unm. 11 Mar. 1735-6. 

2. Elizabeth, m. Sir William Humble, Bart. She died 22 Feb. 1770. 

3. Jane, m. Thomas Staunton, of Stockgrove, Bucks-, esq., and had issue. 

HENRY, 3rd Baron Barnard, b. 1705, sometime (1747) M. P. for Durham and for 
Launceston and St. Maws, Cornwall, vice-treasurer of Ireland, &c, Lord Lieutenant and 
Vice- Admiral for Durham in 1754. In that year, (Apr. 3.) on the formation of the 
Duke of Newcastle's ministry he was created Viscount Barnard and Earl or Dar- 
lington, and filled high official employment. His character was variously represented 
in consequence of the hot state of party. Horace Walpole lashes him in his most 
bitter style, while the premier Duke panegyricised him in the Lords as " Harry Vane, 
who never said a false thing, or did a bad one." He d. 6 Mar. 1758. His 'wife was 
Grace Fitzroy, granddaughter of Charles II. by the beautiful Barbara Villiers, Duchess 
of Cleveland, and heiress to her brother the second Duke of Cleveland ; she d. 1763, 
aged 66, having borne him issue 

i. Henrv. 

ii. Frederick, of Sellaby, a man"of the most elegant taste, M. P. for Durham, 1761, 
(an election which lasted nine days) b. 26 June, 1732, d. 1801. He m. Henrietta, 
sister of Sir Wm. Meredith, Bart., bur. 10 Mar., 1796, at Gainford, " above 70," 
and secondly on 7 Sep. 1797, at Gainford, Jane, eldest dr. of Arthur Lysaght,esq. 
of Bath, co. Somerset. 

in. Raby Vane, owner, jure uxoris, of lands at Blackwell, &c, chosen M.P. for co. of 
Durham, 1758, ft. 1736, d. 23 Oct. 1769, m. Elizabeth, dr. of George Sayer, D.D., 
Archdeacon of Durham. 17 Apr. 1768, Mar. The Hon. Raby Vane, esq., third 
brother to the Earl of Darlington, to Miss Eyres, of Lower Grosvenor Street, 
daughter to the late Bishop Eyres. Lloyd's Evening Post, and Gent. Mag- of the 
day. The marriage seems to have escaped Surtees (iv. 133) and the Peerages. 
His widow Elizabeth lived at Staindrop Hall, d. 28 May, 1789, aged 47, and by 
her own request was buried near the N-W. corner of Staindrop church-yard, 
where an altartomb perpetuates her memory. 

1. Anna, m. first the Hon. Chas. Hope Weir, bro. of James, 3rd Earl of Hopetown, 

and secondly Brig.-Gen. the Hon. George Monson. 

2. Mary, m. Ralph Carr, of Cocken, esq., d. s.p. 1781. 

3. Henrietta, d. unm. 20 Jan. 1759. 



184 TITLE. 

HENRY VANE. 2kd Earl of Darlington, born in 1726, succeeded as Lord Lieut, 
and Vice-Admiral of the county in 1758. He was chosen M.P. for Durham, on his 
father being made a peer, in 1753, and was rechosen in 1754, Master of the Jewel Office 
and Governor of Carlisle, Alderman of Durham city, and Colonel of the Militia of Dur- 
ham county, he d. 8 Sep. 1792, aged 65, being commemorated by a recumbent effigy and 
distant view of Raby on a mural monument of white marble, in Staindrop chancel. 
He is there called " a sincere and pious christian," who " stood forth in an age of in- 
creasing relaxation, a good and great example,'' and when, in 1775, George Colman, jun., 
in company with his father, (whose observation to a South Durham post-boy was " in 
phrase too classical for a north-country post-boy to understand ; and the post-boy 
answered in a dialect quite incomprehensible to the translator of Terence") visited 
the Earl, who was an old acquaintance, he thought the first glimpse beneath his roof 
" presented a warmer picture of ancient hospitality than he had ever witnessed, or might 
perhaps ever see again." In like manner my grandsire, William Longstaffe, the worthy 
vicar of Kelloe (who non obstante his cloth, had been appointed a deputy-lieutenant 
under the Militia acts by this gallant old Earl in May, 1785) visited him in a tour of 
July following, and after a night's experience of Raby dining and dreaming, very sensi- 
bly notes his decided conviction, that the " most capacious and grand Gothic edifice" 
was indeed possessed of " comforts and conveniences, in a superior manner to any 
modern house he ever saw." All this hospitality has done anything but waned with 
the accession of a dukedom, and to have a proper idea of such splendour it must be 
remembered that the Nevilles themselves were at last borne down with the weight of 
doing everything in accordance with " Raby, the largest castel of logginges in al the 
North Cuntery." During this earl's time, in 1778, Mary Hildray died at Piercebridge, 
aged 107 years, all spent in single blessedness, and nearly 90 of which had seen her a 
tenant under the Raby family. His farm and farmyard were objects deserving the best 
attention, the farm included lands of the annual value of 1200£. wherein all the im- 
provements in agriculture were practised. His lordship however retained one ancient 
usage, for on his farm the tillage lands were ploughed by between 20 and 30 teems of 
four oxen each. In the farmyard were close stands for upwards of 40 oxen, besides an 
open spacious fold with a cistern of water perpetually running ; there were covered racks 
and pens for 800 sheep, and variousother conveniences ; the superintendence of all this 
being a treasure of enjoyment and health to the noble owner. 

The Earl m. on the 10th March, 1757, Margaret, sister of James, the first Earl of 
Lonsdale, who d. at Langton Grange, deservedly lamented by all her poorer neighbours, 
on the 11th September, 1800. She had issue (with two daughters who d. inf.) 

WILLIAM HARRY VANE, 3rd Earl of Darlington, Viscount and Baron 
Barnard, b, 27 July, 1766, Lord Lieutenant, Custos Rotulorum, and Vice-Admiral 
of Durham, Colonel of the Durham Militia, and sometime M.P. for Winchilsea, 
created a Marquis in 1827, and Duke of Cleveland and Baron Raby in 1833, 
elected K.G. in 1839, d. 29 Jan. 1842, aged 75, at his residence in St. James's 
Square, bur. in Staindrop Church where there is a recumbent effigy on an altar tomb to 
his memory. His grace m. first 19 Sep. 1787, Lady Katharine Powlett, 2nd dr. and coh. 
of Harry, sixth and last Duke of Bolton, and coh. of one moiety of the Barony of St. 
John of Basing, she d. 17 June, 1807 ; and secondly on the 27 July, 1813, Elizabeth, dr. 
of Robert Russell, esq. By his first lady only his grace had issue 

i. Henry. 

ii. William John Frederick, who assumed the name of Powlett, 6.3 Apr, 1792, some- 
time M.P. for this county, on. 3 July, 1815, Caroline, 5th dr. of William, Earl of 
Lonsdale, K.G., b. 17 Feb. 1792. 

in. Harry George, b. 19 April, 1803. M.P. for South Durham. 

1. Louisa-Catharine-Barbara, b. 4 Jan. 1791, on- 29 July, 1813, to Francis Forester, 

esq., brother to the late Lord Forester, and d. 8 Jan. 1821. 

2. Caroline-Mary, b. 8 Feb. and d. 11 May, 1795. 



THE VANES. ig.-j 

3. Au<?usta-Henrietta, b. 26 Dec. 1 796, m. 2 June, 1817, to Mark Milbanke, esq., of 

Thorpe Perrow, near Bedale, Yorks., M.P. 

4. Laura, m. 24 Feb. 1823, to Lieut-Col. William Henry Meyrick, of the 3rd Foot 

Guards. 

5. Arabella, b- 2 June, 1801, m. 25 Apr., 1831, to The Hon. Richard Pepper Arden, of 

Pepper Hall, Yorkshire, now Lord Alvanly. (See Pedigree of Prescott here- 
after.) 

HENRY VANE, Second Duke and Marquis of Cleveland, K. G., Earl of 
Darlington, Viscount and Baron Barnard of Barnard Castle, and Baron Raby of Raby 
Castle, Col. in the Army and Col. of the Durham Militia, and sometime M.P. for the 
county of Durham, b. 16 Aug., 1788, succeeded to the title in 1842. He mar. 16 Nov., 
1809, Sophia, eldest dau. of John, 4th Earl of Poulet, K.T., b. 16 March, 1785. On the 
occasion of his attaining his majority as Lord Barnard in 1809, an ox was roasted whole 
at Darlington and distributed with plenty of strong ale to the populace, and similar 
rejoicings occurred at other places. The skull of the ox roasted at Piersebridge is pre- 
served in a butcher's shop there, the horns are gilded. 

firfignia. 

Arms. Quarterly. I. and IV., az. 3 sinister gauntlets or,* for Vane. II. and III. 
Quarterly, 1 and 4 quarterly France and England ; 2 Scotland, 3 Ireland (being the arms 
of Charles II.) over all a baton sinister, compony ar. and az. for Fitzroy. 

Crests- I. On a wreath, a dexter hand, couped above the wrist, erect in a gauntlet proper, 
bossed and rimmed or, brandishing a sword, also proper, for Vane. II. On a chapeaugu. 
tumed-up ermine, a lion passant, guardant, or, crowned with a ducal coronet az. and 
gorged with a collar counter-compony ar. and az, for Fitzroy. 

Supporters. Dexter, a griffin ar.; sinister, an antelope or, each gorged with a plain collar 
az. (formerly the griffin was worn charged with 3 gauntlets as in the arms, and the antelope 
with 3 martlets). These are the supporters of Vane, but those of Fitzroy have occasion- 
ally been adopted, viz. dexter, a lion guardant or, crowned and gorged as in the crest ; 
sinister, a greyhound ar. collared as in the dexter. 

Motto. Nee temere, nee timide. 

*s* I w T ill here throw together an anecdote or two which occur to me. and which would 
confuse the stream of pedigree. 

In 1714, the first Lord Barnard having taken some extraordinary displeasure against 
his son, on whom the castle of Raby was settled, got 200 workmen together of a sudden, 
and in a few days stripped it of its covering of lead, iron, glass, doors, boards, &c, to 
the value of 3000^. The Court of Chancery, however, no only granted an injunction to 
stay committing w r aste, but decreed that the castle should be repaired and put in the 
same condition it was in August 1714 ; for which purpose a commission issued to ascertain 
what ought to be done, and a master appointed to see it done, at the expense of Lord B. 

The second Duke of Cleveland, brother to Grace Fitzroy, often resided at Raby, and 
in the hunting or sporting season, had also an occasional dormitory and refectory 
(both one room) in the house of one of the Raby tenants, at Piersebridge, which 
is still pointed out. He seems, judging from the popular traditions floating in 
South Durham, to have been a quiet, unoffending man, of the most unassum- 
ing simplicity. He doated upon the chase, and once when out on his favourite 
bent, his horse happened an accident, and he was compelled to mount a hay- 
stack to obtain as wide a scope of view as possible. The farmer's wife tenanting 
the adjacent farm bustled out and fiercely called him down. The peer's gentle 
explanation, " My good woman, I am the Duke" only added fresh fuel to the 
termagant's fire. •' Why, I dinna care whether ye be duke or drake, ye shall 
come down." Another story has been bandied about in newspaper literature in 
fifty changes, but it is very generally localized in Darlington Ward. It seems that the 

* There is a tradition that the original arms were a bloody hand, which was afterwards 
covered with a steel gauntlet. But does it not rather refer to the crest ? 

2a 



186 TITLE. 

hot blood of Finch did not satisfactorily naturalize itself with ^the amiable duke, who 
used to hold his high-spirited wife's hanks of linen thread while she wound them, but 
often entangled them with his awkward handling. On one of these occasions she 
angrily exclaimed " you fool you," a taunt which even he could not tamely submit to, 
for he replied sharply " yes, I was a fool when I married you." 

To pass to the Long-Newton members of the family of Vane. An old cartwrightof 
Long-Newton, who made divers articles for one of them (Dr. Henry Vane, who was 
made a Bart, in 1782, I believe), being unable to write, used to make his bills out in a 
system of hieroglyphics, describing the items by rude drawings. In one of these pre- 
cious documents there was a simple circle which puzzled the patrician most woefully, 
he recollected nothing of the sort being done for him, and in despair went to the old 
man to make enquiries. The latter however was more accustomed to invent hiero- 
glyphics pro tern, than to read them when accomplished, and had completely forgotten 
the signification of the mystery. " Why," said he, scratching his head, " it's like a 
cheese, but what I nivver sould a cheese to your worship ! — cheese — cheese — Oh ! I know 
what it is, it's a grundstone, and I've furgetten to put a pop int' middle on't." 

In 1794, John Tempest, esq., of Wynyard, died. This benevolent gentleman had for 
upwards of forty years employed William Garthwaite, of Wolveston, as carpenter at 
the Hall, and afterwards as porter at the Lodge. Two or three days before he died, he 
asked the old man, if he could do anything to make him more comfortable, but he ex- 
pressed himself to be quite content as he was. The squire died ; Madam Tempest 
his widow, requested nothing except the miniatures of her husband and son, and left 
Wynyard for Little Grove, near London. Harry Vane, of Long-Newton, was the heir 
to his uncle, but his long absence on the continent, his precarious health, and the total 
want of intelligence, rendered his existence extremely doubtful. One day his valet 
accidentally took up an English newspaper, and saw an advertisement requesting the 
immediate return of his master, and they both arrived at Wynyard with all possible 
expedition. At the entrance to the grounds they reined in their horses and were 
gently riding through, when, to their infinite surprise, a loud voice exclaimed " Come 
back ! " On looking round, a tall elderly man approached from the lodge, demanding 
where Harry had got authority to ride through without his leave ; a smile pervaded the 
baronet's features, which exasperated the old porter still more, and he fiercely cried 
" Thou's somebody's dirty lick-plate * or thou never would come here in such an im- 
pudent manner ! " After amusing himself a little longer, the lick-plate threw off his 
disguise, and told the porter plainly who he was, for the porter had completely forgotten 
the young heir's features. The astonishment was now on the other side, but Sir Harry 
Vane Tempest (to give him his later title) told him good-naturedly to get his hat and 
stick and accompany him to the hall, talking over the events of his absence on the way. 
A visit to the lodge, to present the faithful creature with a guinea for a new wig, soon 
followed, and in his infirmity he was pensioned with his son and daughter at Darlington, 
and eventually was placed, through Sir Harry's influence, at Kirkleatham Hospital, 
where he died in 1818, aged 88. t 

* A contemptuous epithet for an ill-bred person. I think I have seen somewhere, that 
the more menial servants in the houses of gentry-folks in olden times, were only allowed 
the privilege of licking the platters, after the superior servants had gobbled up the "cream 
of the dish." 

+ Ex inf. John Burlison, of Darlington, the hero's great grandson. 

t+t A lady in Darlington still performs the singular custom of presenting three red roses 
on Midsummer-day at Raby Castle, by which tenure she holds certain property near Cock- 
fleld (at Pethraw, I believe.) 




[ View of the Manorhouse temp. Geo. Allan, archazol.] 



©fjaptei: V$. <ttf)atacta:igttcg. 

We have but little left at Darlington in the way of remains of former glory. 
We may not say that this was a Eoman station or Saxon fortress. Cade 
conjectured that the Roman road from York, came by Craike to Nesham and 
Sockburn where it crossed the Tees and ran on by Bishopton, Mainsforth, 
Old Durham, and Chester to Gateshead. On the other side Leeming Lane 
crosses at Piersbridge, which has become very famous for its Eoman remains. 
" The direct road/' says he, " from Darlington to Durham, I conjecture to 
have been a later work of some of the bishops ; for, if you observe, when 
Canute came on penance here, he walked barefooted from Garnionsway" 
[to Durham] * In 1 790, he wrote to Gough, that "a most valuable collection 
of Roman silver coins has, this year, been taken up out of the bed of the 
river Tees, near Darlington. I had about a dozen sent me for inspection ; 
some of Trajan, Gordianus, Hadrian, Severus, Antoninus, Carausius, and 
others. Those that I saw were as perfect as if almost taken from the mint, 
but the treasure dispersed into divers hands/' In later times a vast quantity 
of Roman 3rd. brass coins have been discovered in the Cockerbeck, between 
Mowdon bridge and Darlington, and in Baydalebeck, near the same bridge. 
The main deposit was adjoining the lands of William Allan, esq. I have 
seen an immense number in the hands of various owners. They are in the 
most perfect preservation, and are all of the Constantine family, f 

* Correspondence. Nichols' Library Anecdotes. 
+ Those which have occurred to me are coins of the imperial ladies Helena and Flavia 
Maxima Fausta, of the two Constantines and Crispus. Many have on the exergue P.LON. 
no very rare characteristic, though an interesting one, it being considered to denote money 
struck at London. The rare reverse of Constantine II. Virtus Exercit. (a trophy be- 
tween two captives), occurs among the London specimens. Mr. Sams has a fine collection 
of these Cockerton pieces. 



188 TH E BISHOPS' 

Castle Hill has already been mentioned at sufficient length (p. 1 1 8), and 
the Tees has left it but little character ; it is opposite the seathouse of E. H. 
Allan, esq., whose labourers, in 1848, found in his grounds a singular leaden 
ornament with pellets in compartments. 

The bishop's manor house at Darlington, is situate due south of the church. 

On entering the court-yard from the lane, opposite the porter's lodge is a 

small modern room, in which are two fine old oak chests, both of much the 

same age. One is beautifully inlaid in elegant panel-devices : the other is 

interesting as having the arms and crest of Eure (which appear to have been 

inlaid), and this inscription: " 1575. r. e, the. right.worshipfvll. ravfe. 

evrie. thelder. 1575/'* Ralph Eurye, esq., was made borough bailiff in 

1561, and the main branch of the Eures held lands at Darlington and 

Blackwell. The other chest is said to have been brought from Thornton Hall 

where it was enchanted, and stood for generations unopened, no one daring to 

meddle with it. Passing through the court-yard, we come to a doorway on 

the north of the building, which has been pointed ; indeed, the bounding 

label still remains. In a direct line with this is a neat little early English 

arch (see cut, page 43), the remnant of Pudsey's work, shut up in a sort of 

pantry. It was formerly the entrance of a long arched passage, leading to 

what is now a hen-house, supposed to have been a dungeon ; though why, it 

would be somewhat difficult to find out. This passage is now completely 

removed, and the hen-house so modernized as to retain little that appertain- 

eth to " hoare antiquitie" save the massive stone walls. To this I ought to 

add that the floor has been raised, and the arch somewhat curtailed of its fair 

proportions. To the right of the space between the outer doorway and the 

arch is a large room of later architecture, apparently a hall. It is lighted by 

small, square, oblong lights ; and at the west end are two doorways, flat 

four-centered ; one leading into a closet, the other into the modern part of 

the workhouse. The wall-plate of the roof — also late florid — remains above 

these arches, showing the moulding of the ribs, which appear to have divided 

the roof into a series of square panels. The exterior roofs of the whole 

ancient part of the building are of good pitch, and are plain oak, as the work- 

house-rnaster informed me ; but the exact plan of the mansion cannot now be 

ascertained. One high square chimney retains an early corbel table, formed 

of minute arches. To the left of the entrance, and opposite the hall 

before described, is " the chapel" [St. James's], which is delineated in Allan's 

cut to the right. The whole of the exterior is roughcast. One may still see 

three Norman lights in the eastern gable (pointing out the date, 1160, as a 

probable one), and the sides had also small circular-headed lights of extremely 

deep splay. The chapel formerly opened out of the entrance passage by an 

enriched doorway, but the whole is now modernized. The foundation will be 

noticed in the Ecclesiastical Division. Up stairs, are the remains of what is 

* The five is awkwardly made into three, and the date seems 1375; but the fraud is too 
palpable. 



' MANOR HOUSE. 189 

termed " the anquetting room," which has had traceried windows, one now 
forming a doorway. There is also a plain early stone fireplace. 

In ancient times, we find the plot of ground on which the mansion stands 
called Hallgarth. 

1311. Bishop Kellawe finding that persons had been treading the grass in the flat 
[hi fovea between the gate of his manor and the vicar's houses, in length from the 
gate aforesaid to the meadow called Fycton * gives it to the vicar for life [in order that 
some honest person should have it, I suppose.] This bishop was a very exact and pro- 
per man, for in the next year, having heard that the nobles of England were gathering 
their forces, for the purpose of having a grand tournament at Darlington, he writes a 
peremptory mandate to his coroner of Sadberge, instructing him to prevent any such 
thing, for he would not have it in his liberty .f The flat abovementioned (now', 1 pre- 
sume, the worthy workhouse master's fertile garden), is again mentioned in 1320, as 
fossatum cpiscopi, near a piece of meadow granted to Wm. s. Wm. de Walleworthe, by 
John s. Wm. s. Benedict de Derlington, who evidently took under a charter of 1290 
from Bishop Beke to his father, of 4a. 3r. 4p. of land in the field of Derlingtone, super 
Biscopflat.. In 1314 ? the same John granted to Wm. de Walleworde and Margery ux. 
le Halleflat. The excessively small parcels of ground conveyed in those early periods 
plainly shew the sad uncultivated state of the " fields." % 

At the conclusion of the 13th century we find Stephen de Buteleria de Derlingtone, a 
seller, and Robert Janitor, a buyer, evidently officials of the bishop, the latter being pro- 
bably father of Richard Porter, mentioned p. 171. 

The custodiership of the Manor House is still a patent office, although the locus in quo 
has been sold. It accompanies the bailiwick of Coatham Mundeville and entitles its 
holder to 4 quarters of wheat from the bishop's tenants of Blackwell. 53s. 4d. is payable 
to him as bailiff of Coatham. The holders were generally lawyers. 

The Manor House was bought by the township in 1806, for the purposes 
of a poor-house. It had been so used for some time before. A large pile of 
new buildings was erected to the south in 1808, the cost being partly defer- 
red by the bequest of Mr. G. G. Phillips, (see p. 1 58), indicated on a slip of 
paper attached to his will " Town ^lOO." Mr. George Elwin is workhouse- 
master, and everything is conducted in the most " apple-pie order/' 

POSTCRIPT. 

Visit of Queen Victoria. On the 28th of September, 1849, Darlington was once 
more in the route of a royal progress. Her present Majesty on her journey from Scot- 
land to the Isle of Wight, most graciously consented to receive an address here. The 
Bank Top Station was repainted, and hung with evergreens and banners, platforms and 
terraces were prepared, floral crown s§ furnished, and all the petty splendour a rural 
town could muster was brought to bear on the event. At a public meeting, (Robert 
Henry Allan, esq., in the chair) the following address was decided upon, to be presented 
by the borough bailiff, such of the local nobility as could attend, the two members for 
the division, the magistrates of the district, the clergy and ministers of the town, together 
with Messrs. William Backhouse, Edmund Backhouse, Joseph Forster, Henry Hutchin- 
son, John Kipling, Michael Middleton, Francis Mewburn, jun., Edward Kipling, James 

* Q,u., the modern Feethams, which, however, in 1631 was Fctholmes. 

f Kellawe's Register. J Charters. D. and C. Durham. 

§ Mr. Marley, of Bank Top, furnished one, composed entirely of the richest dahlias. 



190 QUEEN VICTORIA'S 

Overend, Joseph Pease, J. B. Pease, Nathaniel Plews, Henry Pease, J. S. Peacock, and 
George Allison. 

May it Please your Majesty. We, your Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the 
Nobility, Magistrates, Clergy, Ministers, Gentry, Merchants, and other inhabitants of 
the town of Darlington and the neighbourhood, approach your Majesty with feelings of 
the most respectful and dutiful attachment to your august person and throne, and beg 
to offer the warmest and most cordial expression of our welcome on this your first 
Royal progress through the County of Durham. 

We beg to express our grateful sense of the deep interest which your Majesty has ever 
been graciously pleased to evince in the welfare of your Majesty's subjects at large, and 
which has been so especially shown towards the inhabitants of Ireland by the late Royal 
visit to that country, which we fervently hope will strengthen the ties that attach them 
to your Majesty's throne and person. 

We pray that your Majesty's reign may be long and prosperous, — characterized by 
that continued progress in social advancement which has rendered Great Britain so pre- 
eminent amongst surrounding nations. 

We heartily desire that the remainder of your Majesty's journey may be safely 
accomplished, and that you, your Royal Consort, and Children, may possess every 
blessing which the Almighty can bestow, and every happiness which this world can 

afford. 

Signed, on behalf of the Nobility, Magistrates, Clergy, Ministers, Gentry, 
Merchants, and other inhabitants of the town of Darlington, and the 
Neighbourhood, in the County of Durham, m public meeting assembled. 
FRA. MEWBURN, Chief Bailiff of Darlington. 

On the day of presentation, the rain fell heavily, and but partially cleared up on the 
auspicious occasion. The enthusiasm of the many thousands assembled was however 
immense, and quiet and reverential withal. Nothing could be done with more decorum, 
and the appearance of so many magistrates and clergy in their vestments, as well as the 
plainer preachers of the Non-conformists, gave the precise spot of action more than 
common state. The shops were all closed and the bells of the churches of St. Cuthbert 
and St. John sent forth their merriest peals. 

At 1*35 p.m. the Royal train appeared. The band struck up the Royal Anthem, and 
amidst deafening cheers the Queen entered the station. Her Majesty, as previously inti- 
mated, did not alight, but Sir George Grey having introduced the borough bailiff, he 
presented the address* to her Majesty, who received it in the most gracious manner. 
She also most benignly accepted a magnificent bouquet from Mr. John Harrison's Grange 
Road Gardens, and a large paper copy of all then published of this work. Captain 
Robson, of Heighington, formerly commander of the Royal Yacht, and Lord Harry Vane 
were both acknowledged by the Queen, who wore a light plaid shawl and white silk 
bonnet, trimmed in the simplest manner. Prince Albert and the Royal Children also 
won golden opinions by their condescension. One worthy old man was certain that 
" the little girl pulled the nosegay from her mother, sir, and smelt at it very much.'''' 
The Marchioness of Douro alighted and remained a few minutes in the station. After 
remaining about fifteen minutes in the station, the train moved slowly through the 
crowded lines of spectators for York, amid repeated peals of cheers. 

* I crouch in a note. It was on vellum, in the fullest decoration of medieval art I could 
combine with chastity of effect. In an initial letter hung the arms of England. In the 
copy of my work presented, I inserted a blank page containing a rich cross of foliage, 
which wreathed round four shields, 1 and 4, England; 2, Scotland; and 3, Ireland, 
" Humbly presented to her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, upon the occasion of 
her first royal progress through the county palatine of Durham, by her most dutiful subject 
the Author." 



PROGRESS THROUGH DARLINGTON. 191 

The day was completely a holiday, the shops were closed, and a glorious bonfire and 
heaps of noisy fireworks, with an illumination or two, made night cheerful. 

POSTSCRIPT 2. 

The Rising or the North. Among those who accompanied the Earl of Westmore- 
land " across the sea, and bid farewell to bower and green," was Henry Sympson, who 
returned in 1671 and confessed that he was a native of Darlington, 28 years of age ; 
that he had served as a soldier under Captain Sanders, at Newhaven (Havre), who had 
married his aunt, and that when the town was given up he was suffering under the 
plague ; that he now wanted to get a place at Newcastle or York as a hat maker ; that 
his wife was a French woman, and her mother lived at Valencia ; that he had heard 
the English, then at Lovyne, often " wishe that the Erie of Westmerland had taken Sir 
George Bowes at the firste, and kepte hyme stylle, for then they might have gone and 
taken York, and then all England wold have taken ther partes ;" and that one Sher- 
wood, a priest of Durham, sent home young Trollop, sick of the falling sickness. It 
seems from his account that the Earl of Westmoreland kept a good house at Louvain, 
having forty or fifty that came to meat with him. 

*#* Since writing the commencement of this division, I find that Kemble in his 
" Saxons in England" includes our Darlington, and Darlingscott, Wore, as sites of 
Saxon marks, which derived their name from the Deorlingas, a family, but I do not 
alter from my sentiments in p. 3. However, the subject is curious. 

Land held in common was designated by the names Mark, and Shire. The smallest 
of these divisions, the Mark or March, was a plot marked out on which freemen settled 
for mutual profit and protection. The word denoted the territory, but especially ap- 
plied to the woods, wastes, and boundary pastures, protecting the cultivated space,* and 
in which the Markmen had common rights. In a wider sense we have the Marches of 
Wales and Scotland, over which we had lords, like the Markgraves of Germany, with 
certain bounds to watch. The Marks increased with civilization and joined, the old 
boundaries became commons and were apportioned to the different parishes, f and at last 

* In charters in the Treasury of the conclusion of the 13th cent, we find mention made 
of Nesse [ Nessfield, a promotory or nose ], a meadow called Langsike, the field of 
Dedmire [Dodmire], le Crosflat, Rotherum [a family of the name occur about 1590 here], 
Hundon and Granhou. All these small cultivated territories, and various others " in the 
field" were disposed of in the smallest quantities from two or three acres to half a rood, a 
circumstance bespeaking scarcity of good dry land ; indeed a grant about 131 3 of " the hay 
growing in the marshes of the field of Derlington," doubtless included the produce of an 
immense tract, such as it was. 

+ In Wolsey's time, for the appeasing of variancies betwixt theburgesses and inhabitants 
of the Burgh of Dernton, and the husbandmen and inhabitants of Bondgate in Dernton, 
concerning the common of pasture in Brankinmore and on the West-more in Bondgate 
with other pastures the burgesses claimed within Bondgate, it was ordered by Master 
Willyam Frankelyn, clerk, chaunceller of the Bysshoprick, Sir Willyam Bulmer the elder, 
knt., sheriff of the same, Sir Win. Eure, knt., Sir Thomas Tempest, knt., steward of the 
Bisshoprick, Robert Bowes, esquier, and other councillors to my Lord of Duresme, that the 
inhabitants burgesses of the Burgh should have Brankinmoor with the inhabitants and 
tenants of Blackwell, and Hurworth ; and the inhabitants and husbandmen of Bond- 
gate the pasture called the West-more and Bondgate, and all other their pastures in 
Bondgate, and should have to farm a ground called the Battelfeld, with the pasture 
to the same belonging, paying, as accustomed. Then follows an order 25th August, 
1526, by Frankleyn, Bulmer, Eure, William Strangways, clerk, his Grace's surveyor, 
and John Bentley, councilors of his Grace, within the bysshoprick of Duresme, " that 
the inhabitants of the Burgh of Darnton shall have in severaltie, without interrup- 
tion of the tenants of Blackwell and Hurworth, all their parcels of ground lying be- 
betwixt Fyrthfeild and Dodmerfield, and oone other parcell of ground lying upon a leche 
unto a stone brigge [see p. 40], and from thence unto Gawtmyre, and from thence extend- 
ing unto the South side of Fraunce-howse ; and that the inhabitants of Hurworth and 
Blaakwell schall from henceforth use ne occupye eny comon within the precincts of the 
said ground assigned unto the Burgh of Dernton unto tyme that they shew a lawfull tytle 
why they ought to have comon, &c. ; and that unto that tyme the inhabitants of the said 
Burgh schall have and use the said parcels, &c, in severaltie, and may enclose at their peril 



192 THE SAXON MARKS, 

even given in shares to private estates. The boundaries were generally a sike, as be- 
tween Darlington and Hurworth : a cross, as between Darlington and Blackwell : an 
oak,* a hill, a stone,f and whatever it was, it was a marked and sacred emblem.^ 

The markmen had a court or Markmoot, retained in the territorial jurisdiction of 
manor-lords, and frequently held, like the shire-moots, on a hill. The Hill of the 
Sessions at Sadberge as applied to a wapentake,^ and the Castle Hill at Blackwell to a 
freehold manor seem instances of these customs. 

The borough of Darlington with its surrounding moors will give a tolerable idea of a 
mark on a small scale. 

If Mr. Kemble's system is tenable, Cockerton would (as ing is not a necessary adjunct 
of a patromymic, being merely the genitive plural or generative case) be the seat of his 
Coceringas, who also settled at Cockerington, Line. I am clear that unless rivers took 
their name from families, that my former opinions are correct, but Elstantofte at Black- 
well smells strongly of the Saxon name Helmstan. 

It is evident that parishes, manors, &c, took their origin from the Saxon marks, but 
streets took their names from bodies of men as well as topographical features. Glovers 
Wynd might perhaps refer to the property of the family of that name being situate in 
it, notwithstanding its proximity to Skinnergate, but the latter, with Bondgate, Priest- 
gate, and Prebend Row were obviously the peculiar dwelling-places of t ! 'e men their 
names refer to. Bull Wynd commemorates the Buhners, the other ancient streets are 
named from their situation. What is Hundgate 1 

unto tyrae the mater is otherways discussed. And all the inhabitaunts of the said Burgh 
shall from hensforth geve their attendance upon my Lord's Grace Ms Scheriff and his 
Baylly of Derlyngton for the tyme being, and thei ne ony of them sehall not be reteyned to 
serve eny other, upon peyne of forfeiture of the penaltie conteyned in the Statute of Retey- 
nours ; and also upon payn of forfeiting all such liberties and profits as they or eny of them 
claymeth or be entitled to have by reason of the said Burgh or otherwise." 

The Blackwell commons were divided in 1612 and 1622 by a commission issued from 
Durham Chancery. The Commissioners set out for every oxgang 19 acres in the Towne- 
feilds and one acre upon Brankinmoor. Sinckehill, Sinckebanck and broad Scoine in 
Stresham feild with a way through Blackwell nooke, Walk mill nooke, abutting on the 
Skerne on the E. and Briggie Loaning on the N., Snip's Sike, France Dike, Dowda, Wheat- 
land gate, Sowrebancks, Brigghill and the Staggfold nooke occur, and may amuse the mi- 
nute topographer and etymologist. A common passage was to be sett out and doweld 
[marked by dowles or meres] to Brankinmoor. 

The portion of Brankinmoor occupied by the burgesses was divided into cattlegates sep- 
ai'ated by dikes. To order these, four grassmen were appointed each year, who sold the 
whins off the moor for the general benefit of the borough, but were frequently forestalled 
by roguish burgesses who i£ willfullie and obstinately" stole them for their own use. They 
had an officer called a Hirdman, who was not to be hired bythe grassmen without consent 
of the bailiff and jury. A new Hird-house was ereeted in 1624. Ric. Johnson was fined in 
1626 for depasturing horses in le loaning vocat. Yarme loning. 

* In the freeholds of Blackwell are some ancient thorns, standing alone, and said by the 
rustics to mark the extent of the freehold portion. They are in the Langdraughts, and 
evidently boundered the Exchequer Land. See Hatfield's Survey. 

+ " Le Bordland and land extra lees markestones" mentioned at Blackwell in 1622. — 
Halmot BJcs. 

$ 1612. John Liddell presented at the Barton Manor Courts, Yks. ; because his wife 
having been warned by the overseers of the common works to come to repair the common 
ways, refused, and did not come ; and for removing quondam terminum (Anglice, a dowle, 
mere or marke), between himself and John Gibson. 

From the same rolls (penes R. H. Allan, esq., lord of two of the Barton manors) it ap- 
pears that Richard Wycliffe of Darlington, gent., in right of his wife, widow of 

Bettes, held Clowbecke house and Bettes' lands at Barton in 1517-8, and was dead before 
1582. At Lngleby's court in 1479 the Abbot of St. Mary's, York, was declared contuma- 
cious in not rendering an ancient rent of a pound of pepper. Conyers lonyng and Castell 
Hilles are mentioned in 1589, and in 1599 there are persons amerced " for keping a goosse 
without a gander," and "for keping a skabbed mare." 

§ Darlington Ward has occasionally been termed a wapentake. Collins, in his Peerage 
supposes the Stanhopes, Earles of Chesterfield, to have sprung from Stanhope in " Darling- 
ton-wapentake in the Bishoprick of Durham." 




[The Deanery. Temp. Geo. Allan, archceol.] 



DIVISION III. 

16-6Ii181A8VI4IAIi« 

Chapter 5. ^apal. 

Seven hundred years ! The sun has risen and set, the trees have grown 
green and returned to golden, the bonny Tees congealed and thawed, but the 
church of God remained in all its beauty, like the pure expanse, to winch its 
soaring spire directed the pilgrim's steps — seven hundred years, as near as 
may be. It is a long long time. More than twenty generations have wor- 
shipped there in their varying creeds and changing forms. Each of those 
races has passed into dust around it. Man of God ! pass it not with light 
and listless heart. 

Seven hundred years ! — nay, I have gone back already in my tale for 
nearly a thousand.* I hurry on, and lead you to the times, nearly eight 
hundred years ago. The broach was not there, and probably a plain Saxon 
fabric occupied the site of Pudsey's glorious pile. But I may not look to 
the beautiful and its annals only. 

After the first Norman Bishop, Walcher, William Carilepho succeeded, 
" who/' says honest Hollinshed, " was the original!, founder of the 13 niver- 
sitie Colledge in Oxford, and by whose assistance, the Monkes gaping both 
for riches, ease, and possessions, founde the meanes to displace the secular 
Priestes of the Colledge of Durham, that they mighte get into theyr rooms 
as they did indeede soone after, to their great lucre and advantage/' The 
change took place about 1084. 



See page 44. 



2b 



194 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

This idea had been a favourite one with Walcher, and it is mentioned 
that the secular or ordinary clergy assisted the discontent which ended in 
his murder. At the eventual change, they were invited to become monks 
and remain, but only one accepted the offer. The bishop's acts were duly 
licensed by the pope, and a comfortable retreat and ample provision were 
made for the exiles in the churches of Auckland, Darlington, and Norton.* 
The foundation does not seem to have been perpetual. Auckland was re- 
founded in 1292, and Norton does not present prebendaries till 1227. 

As to Darlington, this order of things had evidently died out, for Pudsey 
is said by Geoffrey of Coldingham to have decreed, that the order which was 
formerly in Durham should be restored in the church he was building at 
Dernington. This was not the only offence of Pudsey against the monks, 
since he encouraged a rival colony of exiles from Guisbrough in Durham 
itself, and very ill they bore the affront. I have already stated that the 
church here was building in the midst of the prelate's troubles in 1194, and 
I have but to add that four prebends were founded by him. The foundation 
charter cannot be found, but the constitution is fully set forth in the reform- 
ing ordinances of Bp. Neville, when the idleness and corruptions in the pre- 
bendaries had reached the maximum point. He curtailed the prebend of 
Darlington most woefully, founded a wealthy deanery by amalgamating its 
revenues with the vicarage, and the succession of deans and four prebend- 
aries continued under that arrangement until the reformation. The sweep- 
ing changes then made, and the general status of the college at various 
periods, will be fully understood by the following documents and the accom- 
panying notes. 

In 1288, Pope Nicholas IV. granted the tenths to Edward I. for six years 
towards defraying the expence of an expedition to the Holy Land ; and that 
they might be collected to their full value, a taxation by the king's precept 
was begun in that year and finished in 1292. Another, called Nova Taxatio, 
as to some part of the province of York, was made in 1318, chiefly on 
account of the invasions of the Scots, by which the clergy of those border 
countries were rendered unable to pay the former tax. 

Taxation of 1292.] Portions of Deiiinton. — The portion of Andrew de Kirkenny, 
16/. 135. 4d. : Robert de Bele, 16/. 13s. 4d. : John de Metingham, 16/. 13s. 4d. : Walter 
de Langeton, 16/. 13s. 4c?. : Vicar of the same, 61. 23s. 4d. : [Total, 73/. 6s. 8d.] 

New Taxation. 1318.] Portions of the church of Derlington. The portion of Roger 
de Waltham in the same, 9/. : Elias de Sordich, 9/. : Richard de Ayremynne, 9/. : 
Master John de Insula, 9/. : Vicar of the same, 11. 4s. : total of the said portions, 37/. 4s. 

Return. 1312.] The collectors of the tenth, yielded by the clergy to the bishop, gave 
the following account of the " Portions of Derlington." 

* Some add Lanchester, Chester, Easington, and Heighington. " Prebendae de AkelancI 
Derlington et Northton institute a Guil. Episcopo, jussu Gregorii VII, Pont. Ro. ne deeset 
honestus clericis e Dunelmen. ecclesise expulsis victns." — Lei. Collect, i. 385. " Propter 
hoc creditur quod Prebendae de Akelande, Derlington, Nortouna, et Ekington, facta? 
fuernnt tan turn pro illis canonicis ut haberent unde viverent. Tarn non sunt prebendae in 
Ekington, et putant nunquam fuisse.— lb. 332. 



PAPAL. 195 

From the portion of Roger de Wiltham for the second term 12s. 8c?. [struck out, "He 
shews an acquittance" added]. From the portion of Elias de Schordiche, for the second 
term 16s. 8c?. From the portion of Master John de Insula for the second term 16s. 8c?, 
from the time of Master W. de Ewell. From the portion of Sir Adam de Middleton for 
a whole year 33s. 4c?.* 

Muster. 1400.] — Henry IV. meditated a Scotch expedition, and musters were every- 
where made to ascertain the strength of the kingdom, as well of clergy as of laity. The 
Durham church militant assembled on St. Giles's moor, when there were charged 

The official of Durham because a prebendary of Derlington with 1 lancer and 1 archer. 
The vicar of Derlington with 1 lancer and 2 archers. Master Robert de Dalton, pre- 
bendary in Derlington, with 1 lancer and 1 archer (does not appear). Master William 
Hull, prebendary there, is charged otherwise as Rector of Stanhope, [in which capacity 
lie appeared with 1 lancer, 1 hobler, and 3 archers]. John Maxfelde, prebendary there, 
with 1 lancer and 1 archer (does not appear).f 

Bishop Neville's Ordinances.] — Bishop Neville materially altered the constitution of 
the collegiate church. In the preamble to his ordinance he states, that the church of 
St. Cuthbert, of Darlington, was graced with a number of prebendal stalls amply en- 
dowed ; yet that none of the prebendaries either resided or provided a deputy, leaving 
the whole parochial cure charged on the Vicar, Master Richard Wytton, who was no 
longer able to support the burthern, his revenues being minished and brought low, as 
well by the pestilence which was rife among the people, as by other misfortunes and 
accidents ; and moreover, on account of his exile revenues, the name of Vicar was little 
honoured among the people. On the petition therefore of the said Vicar, and in gracious 
consideration of the premises, the bishop instituted an inquisition into the revenues of 
the same church ; the return to which writ of inquest stated, 

" That there were four prebends in the church of Darlington, of which the first in 
order is named the Prebend of Darlington, the second of Cokerton, the third of Newton, 
the fourth of Blackwell. 

" The prebendary of the prebend of Derlyngton has annexed to his prebend ten tene- 
ments within the vill of Derlyngton, then on lease as affirmed for 117s. ; he has also two 
oxgangs of arable land, with the meadows pertaining to them, worth 26s. 8c?. per ami., 
and these are certain and settled, and form the Corpus Prebendce. He receives also of 
uncertain matteis the tithes of hay and grain of Derlyngton, % which he shall hold for 
three successive years, if he shall so long live ; and during each of those three years he 
shall pay to the prebend of Cokerton 40s., to the prebend of Newton 40s., and to the 
prebend of Blackwell 4?. ; and when the same three years are elapsed, the prebendary of 
Derlyngton is to transfer and betake himself, as to the perception of tithes, to the pre- 
bend of Blackwell, and to receive the tithes of hay and corn of Blackwell for three suc- 
cessive years ; and for the next three of Newton ; and for the next three of Cockerton ; 
till having completed his cycle, he returns to Darlington." The prebendaries of Coker- 
ton, Newton, and Blackwell succeeded each other in order, and each enjoyed the tithes 
of Darlington three years in twelve. 

" The prebendary of Cokerton has for his Corpus Prebendce two granaries leased for 
26s. 8c?., and two oxgangs of arable land, 26s. 8c?. per aim. 

" The prebendary of Nekton has one new granary and three tenements leased for 
30s. 6c?., and two oxgangs 26s. 8d. 

" The prebendary of Blakwell has one granary, two tenements, and a parcel of waste; 
sometime leased for 24s., and two oxgangs 26s. 8c?. 

" The prebend of Darlington with all its appurtenances is worth 18?. per ann. ; the 

* Treasury, D. and C. 8 Loc. 18. f The Three Historians. Surt. Soc. p. clxxxv. 
% The Tithe-barn was in Feethams, in front of Mrs- Pease's house. Mr. Pease used to 
pay 10s. per annum for the site, but afterwards bought it of the late Duke of Cleveland. — 
E. P. The wheeling arrangement Avhich follows is extremely curious and— inconvenient. 



196 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

prebend of Cokerton 161. ; the prebend of Newton 121. ; and the prebend of Blakwell 
201. 

" The said four prebendaries are only charged with the repairs of the chancel, and 
with the Royal Tenth when it shall happen, viz. : each of the above prebendaries is 
then charged with 18^. ratione Prebendce suae.''' 

And upon these premises, after mature advice, and with the consent of the prior and 
convent of Durham, bishop Neville ordained that the name of Vicar should cease and 
be changed into that of Dean ;* and for the support of such decanal dignity he erected 
and established one additional prebend, to be perpetually held conjointly with the said 
deanery ; which prebend was ordained to consist of the oblations, mortuaries, alterage, 
and offerings, which the vicar then held, together with his ancient manse ;t "and further, 
whenever it shall happen that the prebend of Darlington shall become vacant by death, 
removal, or resignation, all the tithes of grain and hay whatsoever of the said- prebend 
shall become integrally attached to the deanery ; and the prebendary who shall be col- 
lated to the prebend of Darlington shall rest content with his two oxgangs of land, and 
his pension of 405. ; and after the said dean shall have held the tithes of Darlington 
three years, he shall then give up the said tithes, and, betaking himself to the next 
prebend, according to the cycle in the said collegiate chnrch established, shall receive 
the tithes of Newton, Cockerton, and Blackwell in succession, each for three years, and 
so return to Darlington." 8 Nov., 1439. — Confirmed by Pope Eugene IV. 6 id. Jan. 
1441.} 

II. Another ordinance follows, 21 May, 1443, that every prebendary shall provide 
one officiating clerk, or shall in default pay five marks to the dean. 

III. A third ordinance of the same prelate in 1451 on the petition of Roland Hard- 
gyll, dean of Darlington, stating that it is inconvenient and prejudicial to the decanal 
hospitality to exchange his prebend in course, as well in the carriage of tithes as in 
the heaviness of the expences incurred, orders that in future the prebendaries of Dar- 
lington, Blackwell, Cockerton, and Norton, shall claim no pension from the prebendary 
occupying the tithes of Darlington, and that when the dean next goes in course to 
Darlington, he and his Successors shall perpetually thereafter keep the said prebend, and 
remain there, leaving the other three prebendaries to their usual course of rotation. — 
(Reg. Eccles. Dun. IV. 77, 78 J 

1501. Nov. 19. Visitation of Darlington Collegiate Church.~\ — Ralph Lepton, dean, 
does not reside, but is in the service of the bishop. Sir Win. Wighteman, chaplain 

* When the Dean of Darlington is named in documents of an earlier period, the ordinary 
rural dean is meant. Three instances of the bishop writing to this officer may be seen in 
Walbran's Gainford, pp. 65,67, one of the epistles (1313) being addressed " dilecto filio 
Decano christianitatis de Derlington" and enjoining that excommunication be pronounced 
in all churches of his deanery against some nonpayers of tithes to the convent of St. Mary 
at York, who had been excommunicated themselves in 1311, for nonpayment of their share 
of the expence of sending proctors of the clergy from this diocese to the Carlisle parliament. 

f " To all, &c, Anthony [Beko] by divine permission bishop of Durham, greeting. 
Know ye that we, by the influence of divine grace, have granted, &c, to God and the 
blessed Mary the virgin, and to all saints, and to the church of St. Cuthbert of Derlington, 
and to Robert de Roveston, perpetual vicar of the same church, and all his successors for 
ever ; All that messuage with the appurtenances in the town of Derlington, near the gate 
of our manor, which Adam de Stokeslay and Cecily his wife heretofore held of us, and one 
venel which heretofore led to the well of Hundegate, by [the taking in of] which the said 
messuage is enlarged and at one side is bounded by it. To hold, &c., Witnesses, Master 
William de S. Botulpho, now archdeacon of Durham, Sir [D'no] Thomas de Levesham, Sir 
Peter de Thoresby, Sir Guychard de Charron, John de Saundon, John de Skyrmyngham, 
Robert de Levingthorp, Wm. s. Benedict de Derlyngton, John de Blacwell, Peter the 
Clerk, Adam de Smeaton, and others." Confirmed by the Prior and Chapter 26 Mar. 1329. 
X Reg. 3 Eccles. Dun. fo. 244. 



PAPAL. 197 

priest of St. James there ; Sir Thomas Clerke, Sir Thomas Rohinson, Sir Thomas Simp- 
son, Sir Robert Dickson, Sir W. Knairsdale, and Tho. Tompson, chaplain, appeared. 
Richard Durham, John Duff, Tho. Tompson, and John Thompson, parishioners, say, 
that the glass windows of the chancel are broken, and that the proprietors* ought to 
sufficiently mend them before Christmas upon pain of lOs.t 

Old Valor in Bishop TunstalVs Register, p. 1.] — The Deanery of Darlyngton 261. per 
ann. In the church of Darlington ; the prebend of Prestgate 31., of Newton 51., of 
Cokerton 10/., of Blackwell 10/. 

Valor in Randall's MSS.] — Darlington Collegiate Church. Deanery of Darlington 
36/. 135. 4d. Prebend of Cockerton 5l., of Blackwell 51., of Newton 51. Os. 3c?., of Rowe 
1/. 13s. 4d., all in the patronage of the Bishop of Durham. 

Valor Ecclesiasticus, 1535.] — The Deanery of the church of Derlington. Cuthbert 
Mersshall dean there. The aforesaid deanery is worth in the site of the mansion of the 
said dean there, and two oxgangs of arable land of the glebe of the same 265. 8d.', tithes, 

oblations and other profits there 35/. 6s. 8d. Total value per annum 36/. 145. 4c?. 

Rents paid, viz. monies yearly paid to the archdeacon of Durham for sinodals and pro • 
Durations 25., free farm rent to the Lord Bishop of Durham 35., and for the salary of 
Robert Kelde, the chanters, and sacristan in the same church as by the foundation of 
his prebend in the hands of the said dean remaining 405. Total per annum 55. (sic) 

Sum of the reprises 55. ut supra. Salaries of chaplains, viz. monies yearly paid to 

two chaplains conducting the divine service celebrated daily in the said college, for the 
salary of each of them yearly 1005., besides which, the dean there and his successors for 
the time being are held and bound by the foundation of the same to sustain and support 
such honest chaplains there with meat and drink, salary, and other necessaries as 
becometh. Total per annum — . Clear value 36/. 85. 4c/. Tenth part thereof [the 
king's, for the computation of which the survey was made] 725. 10c?. 

Prebends founded in the church of Derlyngton, viz. Prebends there, viz. Richard 
Manchester, prebendary of one prebend there per annum 1005., tenth part thereof 105. 

.... Hewes, prebendary of one prebend there per annum 100s., tenth part 

thereof 105. - •• - Thomas Hall, prebendary of one prebend there per annum 1005., 

tenth part thereof IO5. Total value of the aforesaid prebends 15/. which is their 

clear value. 

The Chantry of a certain free chapel called Badlefeld. Richard Manchester ; what 
pertains to the said Richard. The aforesaid chantry is worth in rents of a certain pas- 
ture and other fruits of the said chantry, yearly 405., tenth part thereof 45. Thomas 

Chambre, perpetual chaplain, prebendary in the church of Derlyngton, of a certain 
prebend in Prestgate Derlington aforesaid. The aforesaid chantryj is worth in rents 
of certain cottages in Prestgate aforesaid, yearly, 335. 4c?. which is the clear value, tenth 
part thereof 35. 4d. 

The chantry of All Saints § founded in the collegiate church of Derlington. Leo- 

* The prebendaries. + MSS. D. and C. Durham. 

% This is a curious arrangement. The revenues of the prebend of Priestgate or Row ar e 
applied in furnishing another chaplain to Badlefiekl. Chambre died in 1545, when Simon 
Binkes succeeded, and is called *'* chaplain. ' They also occur in the same order as prebend- 
aries of Osmunderly church, Allertonshire. Chambre was Rector of Winston, and Binkes 
succeeded Win. Carter, prebendary of Newton, as Rector of Redmershall. So they fared 
pretty respectably. Arrowsmith in his map attached to the Valor has mistaken the mean- 
ing of the record, he gives Prestgate as a chantry, and places the chantry of St. James at 
Ilallgarth near Coatham Mundeville. 

Richard Manchester, the other chaplain, was prebendary of Cockerton, and was succeed- 
ed by Robert Bushell, who also held both posts. 

*5 This chantry, which in Hunter's MSS- appears under the title of All-hallowes, has been 
hitherto inadvertently split in two, Robert Marshall's chantry (under which name it ap- 
pears in the Grammar School charter) being considered as separate. A son of Robert 



1J)8 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

nard Melmerby chantry priest of the same chantry. The aforesaid chantry is worth in 
rents of divers lands and tenements in divers towns and fields to the same chantry be- 
longing 61. 6s. 8c?. From thence in money annually paid for alms (at the yearly 

obit) for the souls of Robert Mershall and his parents for ever, and for the benefactors 

of the said chantry, as appears by computation 4s. (23s.)* (clear value 1035. 8c?.) 

From thence in reprises, viz., rents paid to our Lord the King for free rent out of lands 
in Thormondby, in the county of York, 5s., and for ancient free rent paid to the Lord 
Bishop of Durham, for lands in the town and fields of Heighington, in the county of 
Durham, 3s., and for free rent to the said Lord Bishop 4c?., and to the church of Der- 
lington 4c?., and for the farm rent of a certain close in Thormondby aforesaid, possession 
of which is not allowed, and consequently no profit as yet comes therefrom, in all 85. 8c?. 
Clear value 1145. (4?. 155.) Tenth part, 115. 5c?. 

The chantry of the chapel of St. James in the manor of the Lord Bishop of Durham 
in Halgarth there. Thomas Emerson chantry priest of the same. The said chantry is 
worth in money yearly received from the Lord Bishop of Durham in part of the salary 
60s.,t and from the Lord Prior of Durham in money reckoned yearly 4 marks.J Total 
per annum 1135. 4c?. which is the clear value. Tenth part, lis. 4c?. 

Commission. 2 Edw. VI. (1548.)] — Thomas Hilton and Robert Brandlynge, knights ; 
Robert Mennell, serjaunte at law, and Henrye Whilreson, esquyres, were Commissioners 
for Duresme to survey all colledges, deanries, chauntries, stipendiarie priests, free 
chappells, &c. The return states as follows. 

" The paryshe of Derlington havinge of howselinge people abowte {blank). 

Marescall is named in Boldon book. To give an idea of what allowance must be made in 
perusing these ancient accounts, 1 just note that in 1823 the possessions of this foundation 
produced £247 8 6! 

* The record here has been altered. The alterations are given in ( ). 

*t* Two chantries are confounded here. The 60s. was paid by the Bishop in respect of his 
chapel of St. James attached to the Manor house. But the priest also held St. Mary's 
chantry in the church (for which the prior paid), and officiated at both places. In 1424 the 
Bishop collated Ralph Byrd, priest of the diocese of York, to the chantry in his manor of 
Derlington, stipend 60s. payable by his bailiff of Cotum Mundevyle, to which in augmenta- 
tion the prior and chapter collated him also (by consent of the Bishop) to the chantry of 
St. Mary the virgin, in the church of Derlington, stipend 4 marks payable by the bursar. 

X This was for St. Mary's Chantry, and in the reprises of the convent is again men- 
tioned. " To Thomas Emerson and Thomas Caward, chantry priests in the churches of 
Derlyngton and Dedynsall, for their pensions issuing out of lands in Burdon, according to 

the foundation of Win, Briton by charter, 106s. 8c?." "To all, &c, Ralph [Kerneck, 

1214-1233] the prior and the monks of Durham, greeting. Know, &c, that we ever will 
sustain two honest chaplains, of whom one shall receive 4 marks yearly and the other in 
like manner four, &c ; and of whom one shall celebrate divine service in the church of 
Derlyngton, and the other in the church of Dytensale for all the faithful, and for the souls 
of William Briton and Alice his wife, and all their ancestors and heirs. Moreover we will 
give to Agnes, the daughter of the same William whom he had by Matilda de Brafferton, 
and her heirs she shall conceive in lawful matrimony, one mark of silver in every year. 
But if it shall happen that the said Prior and Monks shall withdraw themselves from the 
aforesaid agreement, the vill of Burdun, with the mill and all other things, shall revert to 
the heirs of the said William Briton. The Chapter being witness." [Reg. Eccles. Dunelm. 
pars l,fo. 1071- The salary was duly paid in 1531 by two instalments, and so in following 

years. John Litster held two mess, in Northgate, rent 3s. 4c?. to the altar of the blessed 

Mary in the church of Derlyngton of ancient grant. Supervis. Hatfield pay. 1. Hunter's 

MSS. In the Treasury are two charters, one of the 13th cent, from R. the prior to 

Wm. Briton of all the vill of Burdon which he bought of Roger s. Roger de Burduna ex- 
cept two oxg. which Roger the father had prius eleemosynariaz dederat, rent two marks: 
the other of 1334, dated at Derlyngtone, John de Halughtone, chaplain, to Juliana dr. Wm. 
de Hackesby of property in Burdone, Derlyngtone and Bermeton, which he (John) had of 
the gift of John de Burdone s. Gilbert de Kettone, husband of said Juliana. 



PAPAL. 199 

" The Chauntrey of All Seynts, or the free scole* in the parishe church of Derlington. 
Thomas Rycherdson of the age of xxx yerea Incumbent. The yerely valewe iiijl. xixs. 
The repryses vjs. viijc?. The remaine iiij/. xijs. iu]d. Stoke, &c, none. 

" The Chauntry of Seint James, founded within the Bushope of Duresme Manor 
Place, Rawfe Cootes incumbent, having moreover a pencion of xls. by yere paid by the 
King's Recevor of th' Augmentacon. The yerelie valewe with liij,?. iiijc?. of pencon 
paide owte of the courte of th' augmentacon and 1x5. of pencon owte of the Excheker 
vj/.t Stocke, &c, none. 

" The Deanrye and prebendes of Derlyngton in the parishe churche aforesayd. The 
incumbents ther Cutbert Marshall, dean and vicar, beinge a prebendary, William Carter 
prebendary, Symond Binks prebendary, the yerelie valewe liij/. vj^. viijd Repryses 
that is to wytt in wages of iiij curats found by the dean xv7. vs. The Remaine xxxviij/. 
xxi Stocke, &c, none. — Leade not mentioned. 

" The yerelie obits within the churche aforeseyd. The yerelie valew T vs. ijd. Stocke, 
&c, none. 

" The rente perteyninge to the mayntenance of a lighte.^ — The yerely valew ijs. — - 
Stocke, &c, none. 

" Rente bequethed to the afforseyd Grame SJcole. The yerly valewe iijs." 

This survey is signed by Thomas Hilton,§ Robert Brandlyng and Thomas Eymis, 
before the signatures there being the following explanation. 

" Memorandum. That the goodes and ornamentes perteyninge to the premysses be 
remayning moste parte according to the inventoryes therof taken by the former Com- 
mysy oners at the fyrste survey sithenns whiche tyme they have not bene other wyse 
praysed or estemed, howbeyt they are synce by weringe or damaging very sore decayd 
from the goodness and valewe that they were then praysed to be of." 

Royal Rents, temp. Edw. VI.] — In the Allan MSS. [Z>. and C. Lib.] there is an im- 
perfect copy of the account of Tho. Collens, collector of the rents and firms here. From 

* See Free School hereafter 
f Here St. Mary's is again confounded with St. James's chantry. 

X Thomas s. Jolanus de Morton held two burgages by 3 suits of court at the toll booth, 
and 8 pounds of wax to Darlington Church. Inq. 5 Bury. 

§ This baron of Hylton was a striking character. He married the coheir of Clervaux, 
and his arms gleam behind a gallery in a window at Croft, but he had no children, although 
at the end of his life he might say, " if I survive — I'll marry five." Whether his wives 
tired of him and left this world in disgust, or he tired of them and slew them, like " brave 
Timothy ! by wedlock three times bound — and thrice he snapt the chain the villain priest 
had bound," I dinna ken, but certain it is that he was a very sensibly changeable spirit, 
submitting to events he could not alter. In 1536 he joined the Pilgrimage of Grace, and 
went under St. Cuthbert's banner to Pomfret, to resist the king's encroachments on the 
ancient faith, but he bent like the willow, and obtained a pardon (and a lesson). He grew 
into favour with bluff Hal, and went along with his son's ministers in all the searching com- 
missions of the time, notwithstanding which, Queen Mary appointed the quondam pilgrim 
and Protestant tojbe'her Governor of Tynemouth, when he detained a Flanders ship laden 
with salt, took wares out of ships as passed him, " as he thought meet," and at last had di- 
rections from the privy council to forbear '* to meddle with ships from countries in amity 
with the Queen." After all this, we find him on Elizabeth's accession wheeling round again 
and making an honest Protestant will without mention of a single saint, wherein he leaves 
a most gallant " gold chyne weing 33 ounces and half an ounce 100/." {Inventory) to accom- 
pany his whole lands to his heir, who was to be bound for both, that they should " discend 
from one to another, as is conteyned in my taile aforesaid." His brother William was a 
horrid wretch, if Dr. Bulleyn (whom he accused of poisoning Sir Thomas) is to be believed. 
Lady Hylton his brother's widow had redeemed his land, and lent him money, yet he sought 
her " shame, losse, yea, and bloode," and when he should have repaid her, " then he grati- 
fy ed her, as he did mee" 



200 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

it I gather that he accounted for 53?. Is. 8c?.* rent, of the house and manse of the late 
Dean, and of two oxgangs of arable land of the glebe of the church, and of all tithes, 
&c, which to the late dean and perpetual vicar and prebendary of the prebend of 
tlie altar did belong ; and of tithes, two oxgangs and two barns, of the Cockerton 
prebend ; the same items including two orchards, of the Black wall prebend ; the 
same items including two gardens, of the Newton prebend ; and the prebend of 
Rawe prebend ; all which had been granted 2 Edw. VI. to Thomas Windsor, at that 
rent, charged with 2s. from the prebend of the altar to the archdeacon for the cure, and 
35. to the bishop, and the assigning a sufficient priest in aid of the Vicar, whose stipend 
the king had to pay. And for 66s. 8d. being 6s. 8d rent of one burgage in Derlington, 
and 60^. to the said chanters [St. James's, though not before mentioned] by the 
Bishop out of his charity and devotion. And for 465. 8d. rent of lands and tenements 
in vill of Bondgate, mentions grant from Edw. VI. to John Perient, knt., and Tho. 
Reave, gent., for a competent sum, of the late free chapel of Batilfelde and all its lands, 
&c, in the fields of Batelfieldef on the West side of Derlington between the waste moore 
and Nether Cunscliffe. And for 75. 2d. rent from lands and tenements [belonging] the 
said% obit, and the maintenance of one lamp and other lights there, viz. out of two 
burgages in Assendale§ in the tenure of Tho. Theughe 25. 6d. ; and one burgage in 
Derlington in the Dean's hands, 25. 8d. ; and one close called Midam Close in the ten- 
ure of Edmund Hodgson 25., sum, 75. 2c?. And for 255. Ad., rent of four cottages of the 
said chantery. And for 705. rent of tenements of the said late chantery.|| 

Pensions payable to incumbents of Religious houses and chantries 1553, as the same 
were issued out of the crown revenues from the receipt of the Abbey lands. ,TT] — Darlington 
College, 1553. To Robert Bushell, prebendary of Cockerton, 11. 10s. ; Simon Binkes, 
prebendary of Prestgate, ll. 135. 4c?. ; John Hewis, prebendary of Black well, ll. 135. 4c?.; 
Robert Warde, William Thompson, and Marmaduke Fayrebarne, each 31., 91. ; An- 
thony Wilde, 21. ; Thomas Richardson, minister [of All Saints chantry], 4?. ; total, 
19?. 165. 8c?. Ex Reg. Tunstall, Ep. Dun. p.2>l. To Robert Bushell, incumbent of 
Battlefield Chapel, 21. 6s. 8c?. 

* The values set down in the Valor of 1535 including Priestgate \l. 135. 4c?. exactly make 
this sum. 

+ It is clear that this foundation was close beside Badlebeck Inn ; See pp. 55, 119, and 
Bathele Hospital hereafter. It was in the patronage of the bishop and the chaplain or 
cantarist, had an annual sum paid him out of the Bishop's exchequer, ah antiquo. Cade 
had an odd idea that the ruins opposite Gainford were those of this chapel. Free chapels 
were places of religious worship exempt from all ordinary jurisdiction, save only that the 
incumbents were generally instituted by the bishop and inducted by the archdeacon of the 
place. Most of these chapels were built upon the manors and ancient demesnes of the 
crown, whilst in the king's hand, for the use of himself and his retinue when he came to 
reside there. And when the crown parted with those estates, the chapels went along with 
them, and their first freedom ; but some lords having had free chapels in manors that do 
not appear to have been ancient demesne of the crown, such are thought to have been built 
and privileged by grants from the crown. All free chapels with the chantries were given 
to the king 1 Edw. VI. except some which are excepted in the acts, or such as are founded 
since. And by acts 26 Hen. VIII. and 1 Eliz. free chapels are charged with first fruits ; 
but this the late Mr. Serjt. Hill conjectures must mean only such as were in the hands of 
subjects. 

The king himself visits his free chapels and hospitals and not the ordinary : which office 
of visitation is executed for him by the chancellor. — Burn's Eccl- Law. 

X It is evident that Allan's clerk, or whoever was his transcriber, has left out all the 
titles of the various accounts rendered. The 7s. corresponds with the revenue of the obits 
and light in the last document. 

«j A local family of the name occurs at the commencement of the register. 

|| These two items refer to All Saints chantry, corresponding to the £4 12 4 and 3s. in 

the last document. 

f Willis's Hist of Abbies, vol. ii p. 73. 



PAPAL. '20 \ 

Stipend reserved at Dissolution.] — To the vicar of Darlington, 24 marks, \Ql. ; to the 
assistant curate, 12 marks, 8/.; — total, 24/, Deductions claimed at the Exchequer; 
poundage at 5/. per cent. XL 4s. ; for two debentures at 35. 8c?. each, 7s. 4d. ; for each 
debenture more Is., 2s., — in all 11. 13s. 4c?. Remains de clare 22/. 6s. 8d. 

The ultimate fate of the collegiate possessions may be shortly summed up. 
In 1626 the rents reserved by the crown were settled by Charles I. on his 
hapless consort, Henrietta, for life.* Of the property charged with those 
sums, the deanery including the tithes-)- and the glebe, passed to the Nevilles 
(see p. J 20) and with their other property to the Yanes, who still hold it, 
and repair the chancel. The other prebendal possessions are briefly noticed 
below. The rector of Haughton receives portions of tithes from Darlington 
and Cockerton townships, but they are very inconsiderable. 

5 Jas. Patent to Geo. Warde and Robert Morgan, gents., in consideration of the ser- 
vice of Thomas Viscount Fenton, captain of our guard ; the portion of Robert Bushell, 
clerk, late prebendary of Cockerton, and the two barns belonging, rent 41. 12s. ; same 
of John Hewes, late prebendary of Blackwell, and two barns and two orchards, 41. 12s.; 
— and the prebend called " Prebend Rawe," in burgage, in our borough of Darlington, 
alias Darneton, late received by Simon Binks 33s. 4d., which were late parcel of the 
possessions of the late Deanery or Rectory of Darneton, alias Darlington, and came to 
Edw. VI. by Act of his first year for the dissolution of chantries, colleges, &c: except 
two oxg. of the prebend of Cockerton, rent 8s. ; and two oxg. of that of Blackwell, 8s., 
granted to Gellius Meyrick and Henry Lindley. To hold of the manor of Estgreen- 
wich in Kent, in free socage, subject to said rents. The tithes of Newton, late received 
by Wm. Carter, late prebendary, 41. 12s., were granted in 13 Jas. to Francis Morice and 
Robert Smith, two London gentlemen. 

The Wards gradually purchased up all four prebends, Newton, Cockerton, Blackwell, 
and Row. The tithes of the first were sold by them to the Whelers, and a moiety were 
about 1823 conveyed to Lord Redesdale ; the second were bought by the various landed 
proprietors concerned, in 1744 ; and the third by proprietors also, Chr. Hill paying 
2200^ for a large portion in 1775 ; they are principally vested in the Allans. The 
prebend of Prebend's Row was bought by Sir John Lowther, of Lowther, bart., in 1661, 
consisting particularly of a messuage with Tenter Close and the Milne Close, three mes- 
suages (rent 3s. 4c?. each) having been before granted to Simon Gifford, Wm. Hutchin- 
son, and Alice Thady. In 1722 Lowther released his portion under the name of the 
King's Head, to Wm. Stevenson, innholder, who in 1726 released to Robert Bowes, of 
Thornton, esq., by the same name, including Long Close and Abrey Pickhalls. — The 
rents are still paid by that property and other burgages in Priestgate and Prebend 
Row. 

The ecclesiastics probably had their own officers of defence, for Priestgate { 

* 361. 13s 4rZ. out of the deanery of Darlington, and out of the tithes of wool, lambs, and 
calves in Darlington ; \]l. 5s. id. out of the prebends of Cockerton, Blackwell, and Rawe, 
parcel of the deanery. Newton is omitted. 

+ " The tythes of this parish are predial and mixed, but no tythes are due to the minis- 
ter. For the township of Darlington, Lord Darlington as impropriator has all tythes and 
mortuaries ; and for the other townships, except Oxen-a-field, which pays a modus of 
13s. id., his lordship has only the mixed tythes : the predial tythes from such lands as are 
tythable, being the property of sundry laymen." — Terrier. The tithes have been commut- 
ed in all the townships. 

t In 1313, Wm. de Barton (by charter in the Treasury) was bound to restore to John s, 
Win. Benedict the charter of Prestmenholme at Derlington. 

2c 



202 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

is a constabulary, and its inhabitants repair their own highways, and have 
overseers for the purpose. It is considered as part of the borough, though 
the bailiffs in former days had sad work with its tenants, who refused the 
title of burgesses and would do neither suit nor service. However, they 
cooled down, It is remarkable that this is the only part of the parish where 
women are by custom eligible to serve as constables, surely a remnant of St. 
Cuthbert's contemptuous opinions. 

My readers may probably be interested in the amount of possessions the 
other religious houses acquired, during the long reign of papacy in England, 
at Darlington. They were the following. 

Byland Abbey, Yorks. In a lease of Darlington tolls, &c, the Bishop covenants 
to allow out of the rents 4s. for the free rent of certain burgages in Darlington, then in 
the king's hands, and late belonging to the dissolved monasteries of Byland, Rievaulx, 
Mountgrace, and Firvax.* — Rob. Nevil, Bp. of Durham, in 1444, confirmed the grant 
of land at Darlington from Helewise wife of Geoffrey Fitz David to this house.f 

Jorveaux Abbey, Yorks. Had possessions in Richmond, Derlyngton, and Alverton, 
rent 235. 8tf.$ in 1535. 

Mount Grace Priory, Yorks. Had possessions in Derlyngton, rent 105. in 1535. J 

Easby Abbey, Yorks. Had " Lands and tenements in Darlington, 75." at the dis- 
solution^ 

Rievaulx Abbey. See above. 

Staindrop Church. Some lands in Darlington were given for maintaining the lights 
in Staindrop church and for celebrating the obit of John Spicer.|| 

Kepier Hospital. Bp. Pudsey gave thereto a toft in Darlington.^! In 1535 the 
hospital held a free farm rent issuing out of a burgage in Derlington 35., having leased, 
I should think, the toft for a long term.J 

Neasham Priory. A licence occurs to the prioress to purchase premises here in 13 
Neville. In 1535 the nuns held property here worth 55. yearly,^ which probably passed 
to the Lawsons with the other priory lands, as they occur as freeholders from 1617 of 
three burgages in Mathergarthes. 

Let me now pass on to the church accessories, for it must be interesting 
to fill up the picture of the collegiate church and its officers. 

Vestments given by Bishop Skirlaw, and named in his inventory 1406.] — " A set of 
vestments** of white silk, wrought with vine branches, leaves, and bunches of grapes, 
and little dragons, all de blancoffi containing one chasuble and three copes with golden 
borders, having images of saints in tabernacles [canopied niches], and other two copes 
having borders of oversea gold cloth [de panno aureo ultramarino] and two tunics hav- 
ing running borders, with 3 albs, 2 amices, 2 stoles, and 3 maniples, with a frontal** 

* Allan MSS. Jervaux is meant. + Reg. de Byland.— Burton. 

$ Valor Eccles. See p. 37. § Clarkson's Richmond. || Rot W. James- No. 42. 
U Hutchinson, ii. 384. 
** Vestimentum. By which word, says Raine, is implied a complete set of robes as they 
were to be worn one above another on festivals. It is impossible to give any idea of the 
various garments without cuts, but I may refer to Raine's North Durham and St. Cuthbert, 
and any work on costume. The outer vestment or cope was always extremely fine, and 
was worn at Durham to a very late period- ff Embossed in white. 

J $ The items which follow were for the altar. The curtains would project from the East 
wall at each end of the altar on iron rods, leaving sufficient room for an officiating priest 
between. See the Rites of Durham, &c. 



PAPAL. 203 

having the salutation of the blessed virgin, and a plain subfrontal, and a pulvinar 
[cushion] of the same material. Item, two curtains of white tarterain* with 
upright embossed stripes of white [palato bianco] interlined with gold. Given to the 
church of Derlyngton." The testator appointed Alan de Newerk (our prebendary) an 
executor, and enriched all his collegiate churches from his own splendid vestry. 

Plea of Oyer and Terminer, 27 May, 1509. 9 Ruthall.'] — The Jurors on the second 
presentation found that John Watson, late of Warkworth, in the county of Northum- 
berland, yeoman, did on the third day of March in the first year of Thomas Lord Bp., 
&c.j at Derlyngton, in the county of Durham, about the hour of midnight, break and 
enter, with force and arms, into the church of Derlyngton, and into a certain house 
within the said church, called the Tresor-howse,f and did from thence feloniously steal, 
take, and cany away, thirteen silver zones, J parcel gilt, called our Lady Jewells, of the 
value of ten pounds ; one stagg of goulde, with a precious stone called a sapphire, set in 
it, ten marks ; one golden eagle, 135. 4d. ; one silver tabemacle,§ parcel gilt, 135. 4d. ; 
one jewel, called an Agnus Dei, with a broche of silver gilt, 6s. 8d. ; and one silver 
image, 6s. 8d. ; being the goods and chattels of the said church, and then in the custody 
of John Thomson and Willyam Stapelton, against the peace of the Lord Bishop, &c.|| 

Commission of 1553.] — Sir George Conyers and Sir Thomas Hylton, knights, and 
William Bellaces and Richard Vincent (the bearer of the certificate) esquires, were made 
Commissioners to receive all the " goods, plate, Jewells, and redye money perteyning to 
all churches, chapels, guilds, fraternities, brotherhoods, and companies in the countie 
of the Byshopricke of Duresme, to the King's Highness' use." Indentures were taken 
for the safe custody of the remainder. They received " a vestment, two tynacles, and a 
cope of cloth of tyssue at Darneton," and left at " Darnetone, two challices, th'one gilt, 
th'other ungilt, with one paten weying xxxi unces ; foure bells in the stepell, a sancel" 

* Tartarino- — A cloth brought from Tartary or of Tartarian work. Ducange. 

f Perhaps identical with the present modernised vestry on the South of the choir ; and 
here arises a curious coincidence. On the 11th of February, 1846, the same place was again 
entered, and an attempt made to open into the safe, but failing, the thieves attempted, by 
breaking through one of the Sedilia, to enter the back of it. This intention was also 
fruitless. The thieves, whose ringleader was named Thomas Watson, were afterwards 
discovered, and though legal evidence was insufficient to bring home this particular rob- 
bery, he was convicted on another charge and transported. Robbery seems the fate of the 
valuables here, for on 1st April, 1774, the vestry was broken open, " and part of the com- 
munion plate stolen thereout, viz., a silver chalice and cover, that will hold about a wine 
pint, gilt with gold, but much tarnished, on the cover either the years 1517 or 1571 is engraven; 
a large plain silver salver, and a smaller one, the latter having gadrooned edges and 
bottom." — (Reward Notice.) 

X The thirteen zones (a number in allusion to Christ and his apostles) had probably 
formed an offering for the use of the image of our Lady, at her chantry altar, on some high 
festival when it was the wont of the clergy to deck up their saints in " their better blue- 
breeches." Other items were also doubtless offerings, some might be gifts from the rich 
Mercatores of Darlington in the olden time, and others, such as the stag, [possibly in im- 
itation of the living one yearly offered at the palatine church] from the old Raby lords of 
Blackwell and Oxenlefield. 

§ The casket containing the smaller casket or pix, which held a portion of consecrated 
bread, for use at times elapsing between mass and mass in cases of emergency. See North 
Durham, 97. II Hunter's MSS. 

II The Sanctus-bell, Sancte-bell, or Sacring-bell was used to call attention to the more 
solemn parts of the mass, as at the conclusion of the ordinary, when the words " Sanctus, 
Sanctus, Sanctus, Deus Sabaoth" were pronounced. It hung in the " Sancte-bell-cote," a 
turret on the exterior, to which a rope reached from the interior of the church ; but smaller 
hand-bells were also used [now almost universally], of which there were some at 
Darlington. 



2(H ECCLESIASTICAL. 

bell, two hand bells, iij lyttle sacring bells, a lyttyll bell that the clock smyteth one * 
with a holy water fatt of stone." + 

I annex one or two later notices of old horology at Darlington. 

Die Sabbati. 20 Apr., 1594. Offic. against Robert Atkinson, William Bower, Robert 
Nicholson, Francis Oswald, Miles Grey, John Fawcett, Michael Jefferson, William 
Huetson, Geffrey Holume, Peter Collon, Lawrence Elgy, William Helcot, Lawrence 
Warde, John Dobson, Anthony Elgey, Lawrence Catherick, William Marshall, Robert 
Emerson, James Daile, John Atkinson, Richard Stockdale, Peter Glover, George Lassels, 
William Cornefourth, Richard Prescott, John Middleton, James Rokebie, Robert Bran- 
son, parishioners ; Richard Stockdale and James Daile, churchwardens, and all the 
other parishioners, declared contumacious, for nonappearance ; and the said churchwar- 
dens summoned to appear and shew what they had done touching the re-edifying of 
their clock in Darlington Church, heretofore commanded to be done by the Right Hono- 
rable Henry Earl of Huntingdon, Lord President of the North, and the Lord Bishop of 
Durham ; which day the same Richard Stockdaile appeared, and alledged that assess- 
ment was already made, according to a particular then by him shewed to the Judge, 
and desired the Judge would ratify the same, &c. 

1638. Paid John Davison making the Clock, 51. — Church Accounts. 

Richard Hogget, of Darlington, who rang the hour of eight ( qui pulsabat horam 
octavam) bur. 10 Sep. 1638. 

The following extract from a will of the period may not be out of place at 
this stage of my labours. 

In the name of God Amen. Wednesday next before the feast of Saint Thomas the 
Apostle, A. D. 1343. I, Cecilia Underwod, wife of William, of Durham, merchant, — 
my soul to God and the blessed Mary and to all saints, and my body to be buried in the 
cemetery of Saint Cuthbert of Derlyngton — for my mortuary} the better cloth and the 
better beast happening to be my portion — to my high altar 10s. — to the fabric of the 
church of Derlyngton 105. — [bridges, see p. 38] — to the priest officiating for my soul 10?, 
— for alms to the poor 205. — to every priest officiating in the church of Derlyngton at 
the time of my decease 12c?. — Peter the clerk§ 12c?. — two other clerks 12c?. — Cecilia de 
Barton 205. — John Underwod || and his children 20?. — John de Halghton, chaplain, 105. 
— the children of John de Heworth 405. — the children of Robert, son of the clerk, 405.— 
Sir Adam de Exteldesham, chaplain, 65. 8c?. — Sir Richard de Manfeld, chaplain, 6s. 8c?. 
— the children of Richard de Herwyk 405. — Agnes dr. Richard de Herdewyk 205. — Ma- 
tilda dr. of Richard my son 405. — the mother of the same Matilda 6s. 8c?. — Cecily dr. of 
Wm. s. Wm. — for the expences to be incurred at my funeral 10?. — John de Heworth 
205. — Agnes de Blakeston 25. — Alice Tynkeller 25. — Thomas s. Wm. de Burdon 6s. 8c?. 
— Cecily Broys^F 6s. 8c?. — John de Exham 12c?. — Wm. de Thorp 40c?. — Alice my grand- 
daughter 6s. 8c?. — John s. Alexander de Dunelm 135. 4c?. — Wm. de Morton 205. — John 
Slauer 135. 4c?. — Amice de Thorp 65. 8c?. — Adam de Qwytebern 205. — the clerks and 
widows praying for my soul and keeping watch round my body 105. — Robert Carl' 

* This is curious. We now choose the large bell. 
+ The stoup or bason standing at the entrance of the church, with the contents of which 
the congregation were sprinkled. It does not appear in this instance to have been fixed in 
the wall, but seemingly was a moveable chattel. 

$ The corpse- present to the church, usual at funerals. 

§ Inq. p. m. 19 Hatfield, Peter son of Peter Clerkson : property here. 

|| Inq. p. m. 9 Hatfield ; Maude, widow of John Underwode, of property here : sister 

Emma Bruys coheir with Cecily of Thorpe. 

"U Inq. p. m. 9 Hatfield ; John Bruys, of property here ; dau. Emma coheir with his 

grandchild Cecily, dau. of Alice of Thorpe: Charters appear from Walter of Shotton 

and his d. and h. Cecily of Thorpethewles. 



PAPAL. 205 

13.?. 4d. — John de Norton 6s. 8c?. — John and Cecily children of John Underwod two 
chests which are in my chamber, together with 3 beds — Isabella, the wife of Robert 
Clerkeson my veil [rerale] with a tunic — John Underwod my cloak (clamidem) — Sir 
Richard de Manfeld, chaplain, one bed convenient for him — William de Norton the 
cook 10s. — Robert called Brige 6s. 8d. — John of the Stable [de Stabulo] 40c?. — residue to 
my son John and his children. Proved 21 Feb., 1343. 

I now come to the incumbents. 

Vicars. — Peter* Persona de Derlington, occurs in the latter part of the 13th century 
as witness to a charter of Walter Bee, Baron of Eresby, father of the great Anthony 
Beke, granting Redmarshall property to Adam the carpenter of Darlington, whose son 
Richard again alienated. In 1320, Wm. de Wallewrde grants to William son of Peter 
the clerk (Petri ckricij, of Derlingtone, three roods in exchange, and in 1329, Walter, 
son of William, son of Peter the clerk of Derlyngtone, grants to Wm. de Walleworthe 
and Olive his wife a wood in Granhou there. 

Robert de Roveston, occurs perpetual vicar in 1309, in whose time Beke granted the 
vicarage-house. 

Henry de Appilby in consequence of infirmity submitted his vicarage of Derlington, 
in 1341, to Kellawe to make arrangements, and because his seal was unknown to many 
people, he used the seal of the rural dean of Derlington. The bishop settled twelve 
marks yearly out of the fruits of the living upon him, and then by another instrument 
he resigned, to which John de Halgton put his seal.t The living was given to 

Thomas de Rainham, who however resigned in 1343, and his successor^ was 

William de Welton, who perhaps resigned and reassumed, for in Dr. Hunter's MSS. 
he is stated to have succeeded in 1354 on the death of 

Richard de Hadyngton, who occurs Vicar in 1344. Bishop Hatfield granted to John 
Verty, the valet of his kitchen, property in Northgate late of Richard de Hadyngton, 
vicar of Darlington. 

William de Welton occurs again in 1354. 

Robert deHunmanby occurs Vicar July, 1360. § 

William Hoton occurs July, 1398. || Rector of Walkington in Howdenshire 1393, 
which he resigned for this living.^ 

Richard Wytton occurs 1400.** 

William Hesile occurs 1411. (see p. 208.) 

William Huton occurs 1415.ff 

Stephen Austell occurs 27 Mar., 1416, and again as perpetual vicar in conjunction 
with Sir John Grismes, chaplain, 1 May, 1424.JJ He resigned in 1428, and was after- 
wards Dean of Lanchester, dying 27 Feb. 1461. Thurstan Ryston, rector of Stanhope, 
and Robert Poutheroun of Durham, chaplain, feoffed the churchwardens and parish- 
ioners of Lanchester, in 1462, of lands at Greencroft, on condition that they caused yearly 
placebo and dirige with mass to be solemnly celebrated in the church for the soul of 
Stephen Austell, late dean thereof, on his anniversary, viz. 27 Feb., and find a light 

* Several Peters de Derlington occ. as priests in early times. 

f Kellawe's Reg. J Ibid. 

§ Randal. From a copyhold bk., A. p. 277. || Ibid. B. 264. t Hutchinson, iii. 

** Hutch. List in Par. Reg. by Geo- Allan. ff Hutch, from Hunter's MSS. 

XX Randal, from Copyhold Bk., C. p. 168. 



206 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

burning- before the image of St. Catherine, where his body was buried. Under an arch 
in the side wall of the North aisle of that church is the recumbent effigy of an ecclesi- 
astic with his hands elevated, clasping a chalice, well cut in Stanhope marble-, which 
is believed to represent this ancient pastor of Darlington* 

Richard Wytton, vicar 1428, p. res. Austell, made Dean in 1439 by Bp. Neville's or- 
dinances, (see ante). In 1436, Jan. 1, occur Richard Bicheburn, vicar, Richard Peny- 
maystr cl. and Tho. Tracy, chaplainf here, and in 1441, 13 Sep. Richard Bicheburn 
occurs as Vicar, % although the Deanery was then established and " Richard Wytton, 
Dean of Derlyngton" is mentioned as at the enthronement of Neville on 11 April that 
very year. That the word vicar should still accidentally be used, is very likely, and as 
Bitchburn and Witton-le-Wear are close together, I suspect that Wytton and Bicheburn 
are one person. Richard Witton, S. T. B., was chosen master of University College in 
1426, and ceased 1440.§ 

Deans. — Richard Wytton, first dean, 1439. 

Sir\\ Roland Hardgyll, cl., confirmed 1451, occ. 11 Apr., 1455. 

Sir Robert Symson, cl. occ. 14 Aug. 1466.1T 

Ralph Lepton, in Decret. Bacc. occ. 9 Nov.. 1497, p. m. Symson, and 19 Nov., 1501. 
Sir Thomas Clarke occ. as parochial chaplain, 7 Jan., 1497, 25 May, 1499, and 19 
Nov., 1501.** In 1507. the dean was present at the synod held in the Galilee on the 
bishoprick affairs, the see being vacant.ft Sir Leonard Melmerbye, occ. as curate 21 
June, 1533. ft He was chaplain of All Saints chantry in 1535. 

Sir Robert Melmerby is placed among the deans by Hutchinson, as occurring on the 
above date 24 June, 1533. A Robert Melmorby occ. curate of Witton-le-Wear in 1558, 
and of Hamsterly in 1562. 

Cuthbert Mershall, S. T. P. last dean, occ. 1535, 1547. He was vicar of Aycliffe, 1533, 
and Rector of Whitburn from 1525 to his death in 1549. — " Here lieth the body of 
Cuthbert Marshall, D.D., late archdeacon of Nottingham, prebendary of Ustwayte, 
canon residentiary of the metropolitan church of York, of whose soul God have mercy ; 
the burial of whom was the xxvth day of January, in the year of our Lord God 1549."§§ 
I suppose he would be the same Sir Cuthbert Marshall, master of the grammar school 
of the Abbey of Durham, who in 1510 was called in to witness the statement of two 
claimants for sanctuary.l ||| 

A list of the prebendaries would be useless and uninteresting, but besides 
the pluralists spoken of at p. 80, there were a few men holding Darlington 
honours, of importance enough to need a passing mention. 

* Hutchinson. 
t Randal, ex Inquis. Rot. (A) Nevil, No. 102. $ Randal. 

§ Wood's Athense. || Dns in orig. Perhaps Dan would be as correct a rendering 

in this and other instances. H Hutchinson from Randal. 

** Randal's MSS- Hutchinson gives him as a dean on the dates mentioned. 
ft In Wolsey's time the dean of Auckland was very obstinate about the " prest money" 
required of the clergy for the King, and Frankelyn the temporal chancellor writes to the 
bishop that he had part of the offender's seditious speech, " which your grace shall see 
under a notarie signe subscribed with hands of Mr. Wardale your commissarie, Mr. 
Wytham dean Darnton and Mr. Folbury, master of your gramer scole at Duresme, whiche 
be right honest and substantiall men." The chancellor goes on to state with ludicrous 
gravity that the rebel's "act and dealyng was not farre discrepant from his ovmnature and 
Iceynde for his fadir grandsir and all other of his progenie wer Scottishemen borne and whe- 
der he be so or not I stand in dowte." 

XX Randal, from Reg. Tunstal 12. $§ Drake's Eboracum. 

II || Sanctuarium Dunclmense, Surt. Soc. p. 59. 



PAPAL. 207 

Thomas de Nevill was a prebendary here at the time of his death in 13G2. He suc- 
ceeded as master of Sherburn Hospital in 1339, and was prebendary in the churches of 
York and Howden as well as rector of Thorp Basset, co. York. 

Henry de Tngelby who by his own account held five stalls and the valuable living of 
Haughton-le-Skerne, is interesting as the prebendary perpetuated by the Ingleby shield 
of arms on Darlington sedilia. He might well afford to subscribe a large quotum to the 
chancel repairs. He was second son of Sir Thomas Ingleby (one of the Justices of the 
court of Common Pleas, and founder of the family of Ingleby of Ripley, &c), and his 
will was made and proved at York in 1375. " Henry de Ingelby, prebendary of the 
prebends of Southcave and Castre in the cathedral churches of York and Lincoln, of 
Oxton and Crophill in the church of Suthwell in the diocese of York, also prebendary 
in the Collegiate church of Derlington, and rector of the parish church of Halghton in 
the diocese of Durham, knowing that nothing is more certain than death, nor uncertain 
than its hour, — my soul to him who redeemed me by his most precious blood — my 
wretched body to be buried without worldly pomp in the cathedral church of York if I 
die at York or near it ; if elsewhere, at the place of one of my benefices, then in the bene- 
ficial church of that place, before the high altar if convenient ; but if at a place distant 
thirty miles from any of my benefices, then in the parish church there or in its ceme- 
tery — to the prioress and convent of Neceham five marks, [and to other religious houses 
and persons] to pray especially for the souls of Thomas de Ingilby my father and Ede- 
line my mother, Sirs John de Ingilby, David de Wollour, and William de Dalton, and 
William de Benham, as well for the good estate of our Lord the King during life, and for 
his soul when he has departed this life, and for the souls of all the benefactors of my 
said friends as well as myself, and of all the faithful deceased, — to the chapter of York 
my iron chest which was Master Thomas de NevelTs, and stands in the revestry of 
the church of York." 

Alan de Newark occurs inmost of the Commissions of truce with Scotland in the 
latter part of the 14th cent., the clergy being then the only persons who in general were 
acquainted with the civic code, and high preferment usually rewarded their services in 
the legal way. Alan himself was amply remunerated as appears from his testament. 
He was in utroquejure bacallarius, and perpetually occurs as executor to his cotempo- 
rary clergy. John de Clyfford, the treasurer of York Cathedral, left him in 1393 one 
great cup, one great covered bowl of silver and 405. His will, dated in the hall of his 
house at York in April, 1411, opens thus : — " In the name of our Lord Jhesus Christ, 
Amen. I, Alan de Newerk, clerk, in the diocese of York, knowing that in this vale of 
tears I have no abiding city, but seek another (oh ! that by the infinite goodness of God 
it may be a happy one !). and seeing that dust as I am I shall return to dust, but when, 
where, or how is reserved to the divine knowledge only ; that the transitory goods col- 
lected by me may in after times be of profit towards the recreation of the poor, the 
increase of religious training, the saving of mine and others' souls, and the praise of the 
divine majesty ; do make and ordain my testament in this manner. I bequeath my 
soul to the infinite goodness of God and to the glorious Virgin Alary the mother of 
Jhesus Christ, to saint John the Evangelist and all saints of God, by the intercession of 
whom I firmly trust to have eternal life, and my body to be buried in the cathedral 
church of York, near the altar of saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, my master,* 
situate in the South transept [in parte australi] or elsewhere, if I die out of the province 
of York, as occasion as require." Leaves all his estate to charities to be named in codi- 
cils afterwards to be made. One of these was soon made. He names various establish- 
ments, benefices, and persons, to which he bequeaths sums that " they might pray for 
him to God." But I will only select a few passages. " I will that 101. be distributed 
among the poor and needy parishioners of the collegiate church of Derlington ivhcre I 

* I suppose it was at his altar that Newark officiated. 



208 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

have a prebend — that on the day of my obit my executors shall dine with my friends to 
be invited by them, and feed fifty poor people, and have the fragments themselves — that 
one chaplain officiate at the altar of St. John the Evangelist in the church of York, for 
the souls of my bro. Thomas, my parents and of all those who hold of them, and my 
own soul for twenty years next ensuing my death, and shall have yearly 100§. — to have 
an obit in the church of York of 305. — to the convent of St. Mary at York one gilt cup,, 
having the form of a chalice, covered, on the top of which the image of a lion is fixed, 
and having the feet of lions — to William my kinsman one silver cup covered, figured at 
the bottom and on the cover — to Master William Newerk, my kinsman, the gilt silver 
cup which I have in daily use — to Lawrence Stafford, my clerk, one gown of blacmedle 
furred, and two hoods of black cloth de lyre* — and to Peter Gell, my clerk, my gown 
de bianco furred, which has a hood." Proved 6 July, 1411. The testator was buried 
in the place he desired. " Orate pro anima Alani de Newark, curie Eborum quondam 
advocati, qui obiit xiii die mensis Junii an. Dom. 1412,f viam universe carnis est in- 
gressus. Cujus anime, &c" 

Nicholas Hulme occurs prebendary in 1427. He was rector of Redmarshall, and 
master of Greatham Hospital, and along with the bishops of Norwich, and Coventry and 
Lechfeld, Richard Earl of Warwick, Richard Earl of Salisbury, &c.,Cwas one of Cardi- 
nal Langley's executors in 1439. The bishop left him " a gilt silver cup covered, chased 
ad modum columbini* as it is intitled in my inventory." In 1436, John Palman, alias 
Coke [buried at Auckland] left him " i tabill,' and in 1427 he is a legatee of one book 
of eleven chapters of Richard Ermet, in the will of John Newton the rector of Hough- 
ton- le-Spring, and master of Sherburn Hospital " a bad man." A beautiful brass in 
Greatham Chapel, with elegant blackletter raised on a cross-hatched ground reads*: — 
" Orate pro a'i'abus Nicholai Hulme Joh is Kelyng et Will'mi Estfelde clericor' quonda' 
huius hospitalis magistror' ac parentu' Fundatoru' suor' benefactoru' atq 1 om'i' fideliu' 
defu ctor' quor' a i'ab' p piciet' deus AMEN." 

William Tart, named a prebendary in 1414, (when he was appointed with the bishop's 
official, to hear a dispute), also occurs in Newton's will as a legatee of one silver cup 
with a cover. 

Chapters frequently met in the church to determine knotty points, and 
inquisitions often taken therein. Thus the claims ot Ralph Surtees against 
the convent to the patronage of Dinsdale rectory, J were defeated in 124-0 
" coram toto capitulo de Dernington — in ecclesia de Dernington." Thus in 
1235, in the foundation of Stockton chapel it is stipulated that if the inhabi- 
tants were found " contumacious and rebellious" in performing their duties 
at the church of Norton, the vicar with the consent of the archdeacon of 
Durham, and the chapter of Derlington, might revoke the celebration qi divine 
offices and ministration of the sacraments at Stockton altogether. Thus 
again in 1412 the archdeacon conducted an inquisition in this collegiate 
church as to the vacancy in the vicarage of Oainford ;§ and such instances 
might be enumerated with Inquisitions post mortem taken here ad infinitum. 

* Blacmedle would be a black material mixed with another colour or fabric, and the 
hoods were plaited or had wreaths like the strings of a lyre. Ad modum columbini :— 
wreathing or twisting round the cap like the flower of that name. 

f Drake. A mistake for 1411. The whole of the will and codicil in the latin may be 
seen in the Testamenta Eboracensia, Surtees Society. 

X It had been granted to the church by charter made between 1174 and 1180, to which 
" Master Peter, canon of Der'ington," was witness. 

§ Hunter's MSS. e Reg. Langley. The jury were, William Hesile, vicar of the church of 
Derlyngton ; Sir Richard Gardner, rector of the church of Dittensal ; Sirs John Uckarby, 



PAPAL. 209 

I necessarily find in my ecclesiastical jottings, specimens of that " awful 
doom which canons tell shuts paradise, and opens hell/' In 1311 Robert de 
Cokerton, a notary public, being excommunicated and remaining still in 
scorn of the sentence which was to restore good angels to him, was to be 
avoided by every man, &c., according to bishop Kellawe's injunction.* This 
was the bishop who prevented the tournament being held at Darlington, 
who spared not the great baron of Raby himself (p. 83) when caught 
in an unpardonable breach of morality ; and here comes John de Alwent 
nearly as bad, having confessed before this ghostly prince that he had com- 
mitted adultery with Agnes de Raby, and Annabella de Durham : and also 
failed to prove that he had not committed the like offence with Christiana 
Clergis, Annabella de Castle Barnard, and Emma le Aumbelour. The pre- 
late mitigated the sentence somewhat in consequence of the station in life of 
the offender ; nevertheless he was, clad only in linen, to be whipped round 
his parish church of Gainford on six several Sundays and festivals, and also 
round the market-place at Darlington on six several Mondays, during that 
part of the day when it should be most thronged. The vicar of Gainford 
was directed, under pain of the major excommunication, to monish publicly 
the said John to appear, and to see that he did appear on the succeeding 
Sunday in the churchyard and so forth, from the one day to the other, until 
the expiration of the term : and it was provided that, if he did not submit 
himself, he should be excommunicated throughout the whole archdeaconry 
of Durham, and shunned by his fellows as excommunicated until he should 
conform.-)- There is a still more laughable record of the same period pre- 
served. J The then vicar of Darlington was walking through one of the 
streets when he fell in with a drunken man, who belaboured him so unmer- 
cifully that he was taken home, where he was confined for some time. The 
Ecclesiastical Court forthwith summoned the offender, but the summons was 
quite lost upon him, he did not appear, and being in contumacy, the pains of 
excommunication followed. These produced such feelings of alarm that he 
appeared in court and confessed his guilt, whereupon the sentence was re- 
versed on his submitting to the following punishment. He was to stand at 
the Western portal of Darlington church, his only clothing the penance 
sheet ; until the service was half over, when the congregation was to be edi- 
fied by seeing one of the officials whack the barefooted sinner most soundly 
through the aisles with a whip of cord right stout and long. And as if that 

William Smole, William Gseby, Thomas Norman, Thomas de Morton, and Thomas Langton, 
chaplains ; and Thomas Zole, Adam Cor, John de Blackwell, Thomas Sharpe, William 
Werdall, and John Zole, laymen. 

%* Acta capituli de Hextildesham apud Derlyngtone contra Johannem Johannis Fery- 
man de Bnbbewyth pauperem, presbyterum providendum de beneficio ecclesiastico in dioc. 
Dunelm. 1335.— D. and G. Treasury. Catalogue No- 2629. 

* Kellawe's Reg. f Kellawe's Reg. Walbran's Gainford. 

+ The eminent antiquary who told the tale was unable to find the record at the moment 
again. I have no doubt but that my short version gives sufficiently the purport of it. 

2u 



210 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

was not sufficient, the next day being market-day he was to be whacked 
through the street more soundly still. The following evidences of penance 
in protestant times will speak for themselves. 

" Anno Domini 1608. Persons excommunicated. Elinor Shaw, widow ; Mary 

the wife of Francis Shaw, a stranger ; Agnes wife of Thomas Robinson ; Jane wife of 
John Wallis ; Jennet Dent [bur. as " recusant" 8 Mar., 1636-7*] ; Elizabeth Oswold 
wife of Henry Oswold ; John Wetherell and his wife ; Christofer Potter and his wife, 

strangers ; John Dent ; Recusants- Jenet Coltard and Elinor Harrison ; Isabella 

Harrison ; Excommunicated for fornication. Robert Husdons ; Tho. Gowlande ; 

Wm. Shaw ; Ann Bu swell ; Jane Colthard ; Scyth Smithson ; Stephen Storie ; Mark 
Shaw ; Elizabeth Johnson ; Margaret Lancaster ; Richerd Dickeson ; Margrett Thomp- 
son ; Agnes Conyers [see p. 98]; Dated February 18, Published March 12, 1608. - - - 
Tho. Newton ; Cuthbert Thornehill, absolved; Richard Johnson, absolved ;f 9 March, 

1610. - • - - Margrett Stocdale ; Raulph Maugeham ; Frances Sayer ; Isabell Salterston; 
Robert Husdons ; Elizabeth Johnson ; 1609, Excommunicated at Durham, 27 April, 

1611, Published 5 May. (Darlington Par. Reg. fly leaf.) 

Die Jovis, 1625, Dec. 15, infra aede ven. viri Ri. Hunt S. T. P. Decano coram ipso Et 
ven. viris Joh. Cradock S. T. P. Cane. Dunelm et Jo. Lively, S. T. B. — " Offic. contra 
John Harperley de Stockton pro incest, cum Eliz. Wright sorore uxoris suae. W h day 
hour and place he being precognized appeared and confessed and was enjoined acknow- 
ledgment in penitential manner, in the churches of Norton and Stockton, w h he per- 
formed, and had also been ordered to perform the like penance at the market crosses of 
Durham and Darneton which he commuted and paid 61. for y e same, and therefore 
desired that he might be no further proceeded against. Ordered to enter into recogni- 
zance in 401. and sureties 20/. each, and to certify before 12 June next." — (Brewster's 
Stockton.) 

1768. Sep. To washing the Pennance sheet,J 3c?. — Church Accounts. [This is the 
last entry of the kind in the Darlington Books.] 

* Fly-leaf of register. 

f This and some other of the names are erased in another ink, probably on absolution. 
Some have crosses opposite. 

X A ludicrous allusion to penance is made by Bishop Dodgson when describing his liv- 
ing of Elsdon in 1762. He says his richest farmers were Scotch dissenters, whose religion 
descended from father to son more as a part of the personal estate, rather than the result 
of reasoning or enthusiasm, and goes on to state that churchmen and presbyterians had a 
very good understanding, " for they not only intermarry with each other, but frequently 
do penance together in a white sheet, with a white wand, barefoot, in one of the coldest 
churches in England, and at the coldest season of the year : I dare not finish the descrip- 
tion, for fear of bringing on a fit of the ague If I was not assured by the best authority 

upon earth that the world was to be destroyed by fire, I should conclude that the day of 
destruction is at hand, but brought on us by means of an agent very opposite to that of 

heat. The whole country is doing penance in a white sheet, for it began to snow on 

Sunday night, and the storm has continued ever since." 

I add an extract or two more from this amusing divine's letters : — " My journey pro- 
duced a great deal of pleasure till I reached Darlington, when I quitted the coach and 
began to fly, but my wings soon failed me, for the post horses which I hired at Durham 

were not able to move an inch further than the ninth mile stone. A clog-maker combs 

out my wig upon my Curate's head by way of a block, and his wife powders it with a dredg- 
ing box. The vestibule of the castle is a low stable, above it is the kitchen, in which are 
two little beds, joining to each other. The Curate and his wife lay in one and Mar- 
gery the maid in the other. I lay in the parlour between two beds to keep me 

from being frozen to death. I have lost the use of every thing but my reason, though 

my head is entrenched in three nightcaps, and my throat, which is very bad, is fortified 
with a pair of stockings twisted in the form of a cravat. As washing is very cheap I wear 



PAPAL. 211 

A long list of ecclesiastics who took name* from this their birth-place 
might be furnished, but the only characters really interesting are the 
following : — 

1258. Hugo de Derlyngton was elected sub-prior of Durham, and in 1285 he was 
made prior. During the wars of the barons, he conducted himself so prudently as to 
save the possessions of the church from depredation by either party. He contributed 
largely to the magnificence of his convent, and among various fine worksf built the 
belfrey on the summit of the great tower of the cathedral, and enlarged the organ. Nor 
was his hospitality less notable. Whenever he came to his house, the poor people to 
whom his kitchen was ever open, danced before him. It is said of him that the common 
coinage of a penny was reduced to five mites, that he might distribute handfuls of that 
small money to a greater number of objects. When advanced in years and obliged to 
travel in a chariot, he constantly threw moDey from thence to the poor. Graystanes 
gives an instance of the prior's authority. " Bishop Stichill whilst he was resident in 
the castle at Durham, made it his custom to send wine to the convent. One day he 
ordered his brother to carry wine to the sub-prior's table, which on being presented gave 
offence to prior Hugo, who presided at the upper table, and thereupon he struck the 
table, and put an end to the dinner in the middle of the mess." In 1273 he resigned, 
and his successor, Richard Claxton, prior of Holy Island, was confirmed at Darlington. 
For some reason or other the new prior abdicated in 1285, when Hugo was recalled. 
He assented to the archbishop's jurisdiction during a vacancy of the see, and before his 
second resignation in 1290, was quite superannuated, yet so obstinate and resentful that 
when application was made for his removal, he sent to the bishop with the promise of 
large bribes if he would deny his assent, but the bishop at once hastened to Durham 
and Hugh was forced into a cession of his office. Graystanes gives the following- 
graphic passage as to Hugh's second reign. After mentioning his removal of Richard 

two shirts at a time, and for want of a wardrobe hang my great coat upon my own back, 
aud generally keep on ray boots in imitation of ray namesake [Charles XII] of Sweden 
Indeed since the snow became two feet deep (as I wanted a chappin of yale from the pub- 
lic house) I made an offer of them to Margery the maid, hut her legs are too thick to make 
use of the offer, and I am told that the greater part of my parishioners are not less sub- 
stantial."— Richardson's Table Book. Leg. Div. 1. 232. 

* " It was fashionable for the clergy," says Fuller, " especially if regulars, monks and, 
friars, to have their surnames (for syr-names they were not) or upper-names, because su- 
peradded to those given at the font, from the places of their nativity ; and therefore they 
are so good evidence to prove where they were born, as if we had the deposition of the 
midwife, and all the gossips present at their mother's labours. Hence it is that in such 
cases we seldom charge our margin with other authors, their surname being author enough 
to avow their births therein. 

" Some impute this custom to the pride of the clergy, whose extraction generally was so 
obscure that they were ashamed of their parentage : an uncharitable opinion, to fix so 
foul a faidt on so holy a function ; and most false, many in orders appearing of most hon- 
ourable descent. Yet Richard bishop of London quitted Angervill, though his father Sir 
Richard Angervill was a knight of worth and worship, to be called of Bury, where he was 
born ; and William, bishop of Winchester, waived Pattin to wear Waynfleet, though he 
was eldest son to Richard Pattin, an esquire of great ancientry. 

" Others say, that the clergy herein affected to be Levi-like, "who said to his father and 
mother, I have not seen him," (Deut. xxxiii, 9.), practising to be mimics Melchisedech, 
" without father, without mother, without descent," (Heb. vii, 3.), so as to render them- 
selves independent of the world, without any coherence to carnal relations. Surely some 
were well minded herein, that as they might have no children, they would have no fathers 
beholding the place of their birth, as co-heir at least to their estates, to which many did 
plentifully pay for their nursing therein." 

f See Hutchinson. 



212 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

cle Ho ton from the priory of Lithum to Coldingham, when he was flourishing at the 
former place, he adds " for he hated him, because, while sub-prior in the days of prior 
Claxton on coming to Fynchall on St. John Baptist's day to visit the place and the 
brethren, as was the custom with the sub-prior, he asked to whom did Hugh the quon- 
dam prior confess ; when Hugh aforesaid answered, " I know, son, what I have to do, and 
to take care of my soul as well as you do yours." Therefore the enquiry was the spring 
of envy, and gave occasion for hatred. Whence when he was afterwards made prior, 
out of dislike of Richard de Hoton, who was a gracious youth, he sent monks to study 
at Oxford, and magnificently furnished sufficient expenses to them, I had rather it was 
the occasion of doing good, as an ill action. Hence came our redemption." Richard de 
Hoton was his successor, a fact which explains the prior's disinclination to resign. 

1284. Died, John de Derlington, who took the name of the place whereat he was 
was born, viz. Darlington in the bishopric, which may be justly proud of bearing so 
famous and learned a man and such a respecter of the Book of Books. He was 
bred a Dominican friar* and a great clerk. Matthew Paris gives him the testimony 
that he was one " qui literature/, pollebat excellenter et consilio;" and employing himself 
in acquiring a minute knowledge of the Scriptures, the fruit of his labours was " The 
Great " or " The English Concordance, "t which he finished about 1270, and was prob- 
ably the first work of the kind ever attempted in this country. Henry III. made him 
his confessor (which argues his piety that so devout a prince used him in so conscientious 
an office), and in his time there arose a hot and high contest between the prior and con- 
vent of Trinity church, Dublin, who had elected William de la Corner, as archbishop, 
to that see, and the dean and chapter of St. Patricks, who had chosen Fromund le Brun 
the Pope's chaplain. Pope John XXI. cassated both elections and pitched on our Dar- 
lington as a good expedient for cutting the question short, and appointed him Arch- 
bishop, being in fact a person in whom king and pope met in some equal proportion, 
he being confessor to the one, and collector of Peter-pence (as also to his two successors 
Nicholas III. and Martin IV.) through all Ireland. Returning to England he sickened, 
died, and was buried in Preaching Friars, London.^ He was the author of various 
works, amongst others " Disceptationes Scholasticae," and Rudd in his catalogue of MSS. 
Dean and Chap. Lib. Durham, imagines him to be identical with the author of " Ques- 
tiones XII librorum Metaphisice et IV librorum Ethicorum disputate a magistro Jo. de 
Ditenshale Anno Dni. M.CC. octogesimo tertio," in that collection. " For although 
they say he died in 1284, so small a difference might easily happen. That he was 
called Derlington perchance occurred (after he began to be notable) by his taking the 
name from the neighbouring town, so noted for its market, rather than from the ignoble 
vill [Dinsdale] in which he was born. Many instances of such changes might be 
adduced." 

Sir Adam de Derlington occurs as a wealthy priest and landowner in the Cleveland 
district, in the 14th cent.§ He was Rector of Crathorne in 1348. 

1346. John de Derlington, a canon of Guisburn, confirmed prior of that place. 

1455. Thomas Darlington, a canon of Guisburn, in like manner confirmed. 

John BlalcewelL appointed Chaplain of Hilton chapel within Hilton castle, 1443, died 
before 1450. 

1519. Thomas Dernton, alias Shepherd, was last Abbot of Eggleston, and received 
13£. 6s. 8d. per ann. pension. || 

* Hollinshed — " Ordinis PrazdicatorumP Leland's Coll. ii. 281. 

+ Ibid. % Fuller, almost verbatim. 

% Brewster's Stockton. Inq. p. m, 18 Edw. III. Rot. Abbrev. temp. Edw. III., &c. 

II Whitaker's Richmondshire. 



PAPAL. 213 

John Darneton, the Abbot of Fountains from 1478 to 1494, seems to have been an 
active and enterprising character, whose energetic building propensities caused the al- 
terations detailed in Walbran's Guide to Ripon, &c. 

THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH 

ranks in importance among the Durham ecclesiastical edifices now in use, 
next to the Cathedral, and bears indisputable marks of the latter days of 
Bishop Pudsey. Hence it may be said to be in its general features a Trans- 
ition rather than an Early English building, " and for elegant simplicity, 
may vie with any in the kingdom/' It presents the solitary instance of a 
Durham church retaining its lofty roofs, which with the spire form a compo- 
sition of no ordinary beauty. 

The ground plan is much as Pudsey designed it, and comprehends a cen- 
tral tower, a choir with a small apartment attached on the South, now a 
vestry, but probably used formerly as the " Tresor- house," two transepts, a 
nave and two aisles, and until very lately a South porch. The Tower is 
peculiar, and measures two feet more from N. to S. than from E. to W. 
The general style is Early English but of varying character, the south tran- 
sept appearing to be of later date than the other portions, which are quite 
of transitional detail. In the 14th century a serious settlement* of the 
building took place, the original stone roofs seem to have been supplanted by 
wooden ones ; the windows near the tower were blocked")- and rood-lights 
inserted in two of them, while substantial corner supports were added ; the 
aisles were completely rebuilt though the doorways were retained ; the tower 
lights received decorated tracery ; and the roodloft, sedilia and piscina were 
furnished ; all this, by heraldic evidence, being in the time of Prebendary 
Ingleby who died in 1375. The fifteenth century witnessed the addition of 
the fine woodwork of the choir, the sixteenth the Easter sepulchre and the 
choir and vestry roofs, and the seventeenth the font cover and old pews in 
the North transept. With these preliminary remarks I shall proceed to 
give the details of this fine fabric, which belong to the period I have been 
chronicling. 

Admeasurements. (Interior). Length of Choir, 33 ; Tower, 22 ; Nave, 72 ; total 
length of centre, 127 feet. Length of Aisles, 74 (the Western wall of these is two feet less 
in thickness than that of the Nave) ; breadth of transepts, 18 ; total length of wings, 92 
feet. Length of each transept, 26 ; breadth of Tower, 24 ; total length across transepts, 
76 feet. Breadth of Nave, 24 (to centre of pier) ; of each Aisle, 10 ; total breadth at West- 
end, 44 feet. Breadth of Chancel, 21 feet Vestry, 16 by 12 feet. Nave composed of four 
compartments. 

* This has twisted and shaken the whole of the church, especially the West-end, which 
is very much out of the perpendicular. It is attempted to be supported by long iron rods 
passing from the tower and bolted into the walls, but " it is to be regretted that an amount 
of money, which would have gone far towards rebuilding it, should have been spent in 
perpetuating a positive deformity." 

t Billings's well-intentioned expression, " the blocking up of windows (as if the window- 
tax affected churches)," is not borne out by the fact. The Darlington folks have hurt their 
church enough, without being made answerable for necessary supports to the tower in the 
days of old. 



214 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Altar. The " exceeding long and fair altare stone de vario marmore-, hoc est, niyro albis 
maculis distincto at the high altare" which Leland saw, has totally disappeared ; it proba- 
bly came from the " faire quarre of blak marble spottid with white, in the very ripe of 
Tees," which he mentions as being " about a quarter of a mile beneth iEgleston [Priory]." 
There is nothing peculiar about the present arrangements. The two altar-books are in- 
scribed "Darlington Altar. J. H. S" on a good old binding which on one side of each booh 
only has unluckily been supplanted by a new one of very inferior execution, with /. H. 8. 
on, for show. Within is an Indian-ink drawing of a boy, pointing to a representation of 
one of the books inscribed " This Book and its companion were the gift of Mr. John Cade, 
A.D- MDCGLXXI. For the use of the Altar in Darlington Church. S[amuel] W[ilkin- 
son] Delin." 

Arches. The tower rests on four superb obtuse arches of rectangular mouldings. They 
rise from clustered piers, of which the main pillars are of a pointed section, and each of 
them is furnished with two sub-pillars enclosed in rectangular formations. A large square 
block intervenes between the inner mouldings of the arch and the abacus. Some of the 
capitals are flowered, others moulded only, and both capitals and piers have been sorely 
cut and built upon, partly in the fourteenth century when the roodloft was constructed, 
and partly in later days- The S. W. cluster from which four arches spring in various di- 
rections, is still perfect and has a noble effect. Above these tower arches are four others 
opening into the roofs. Before the ceilings hid the latter they would appear to have been 
visible from below, and formed a sort of lantern, and must have had a very singular effect; 
they are plain chamfered. Each aisle opens into a transept by a single arch of fine detail. 
The Nave arches are curious. The three Westernmost are very wide and obtuse, of three 
orders chamfered, while the Easternmost is much narrower, of fine proportion and elegant 
mouldings. The same alteration takes place in the piers. Those under the plain arches 
are simple cylindrical and octagonal alternately, with corresponding responds at the W., 
but the more ornamented arch rests on a clustered respond and a beautiful pier, composed 
of four cylindrical and filleted shafts separated by pear shaped or pointed bowtells. Never- 
theless they are coeval, for the clerestory does not alter, and one of the plainer arches 
partly rests upon the clustered pier. Owing to the settlement at the West end, the end 
arch is nearly circular, but throughout the church the prevailing feature of the whole of 
the architecture is endless variety and irregularity, though the general character is so ad- 
mirably preserved that there is not the slightest appearance of incongruity. 

Arch-buttresses. These are some masses of masonry inserted in the angles of the 
cross plan to support the tower. They cut off the angle and are supported by arches high 
above the ground, interrupting the plain early English strips which preceded them. 

Aumbries. Small closets for various purposes. There is one in the Newel staircase at 
the S. W. corner of the S. transept, near the summit. It runs three feet into the thickness 
of the wall, and is wider than the entrance splay in the wall leading to it, which occupies 
1 ft. 8 in. of the 3 feet. 

Base-table. In the original work of the transepts and chancel, this is a simple slope 
into which the flat buttresses die. 

Battlement. The South Aisle has a plain decorated parapet, and the vestry a debased 
one, the other parts of the church are furnished with battlements, which are ail of compa- 
ratively late date. 

Brasses, Sepulchral. Within the altar rails the mark of a figure and inscription on a 
veined marble slab. The like near the North stalls in the choir. Marks of two inscriptions 
in the North transept, on an enormous blue slab (which with the rest of this transept is 
elevated) bevelled at the S. edge. Next to it a slab with the mark of a chalice and in- 
scription ; this style of brass is excessively rare in England, and the perfect one at Leeds 
is perhaps unique. It no doubt covered a chantry priest. Close to the North wall of this 
transept a slab which appears to have contained two full length figures canopied, with 
kneeling figures round, the matrix of one remains on a corner. Near the font the mark of 
an inscription. The like in South aisle just within the door. The like in the pavement of 
the destroyed South porch, in which also are the marks of two figures, inscription, and 
four corner pieces. 

Buttresses. In the early English parts these are of very small projection, much re- 
sembling Norman ones. At the corners they form turret-like buildings of square form. 
The decorated buttresses are very irregular and more for use than show. See Arch- 
buttress. 

Capitals. All fine. In the window and arcade shafts they are generally moulded with 
fine deep undercut members, but they also occur with the nailhead ornament inserted, 
and the crisp foliage of the period. The abacus is mostly round and overhangs in a very 
graceful manner, but in many instances (as in the pier capitals) it is of a square Norman 
character. In the South transepts the foliage introduced is of peculiar beauty. The pier 
capitals partially follow the form of the pier, but are in many instances square, and are 
only foliated in some instances. The unusual form of an Early English hexagonal capital 
occurs on several shafts in the North transept. 

Chamfer, an arch moulding exceedingly abundant. In the North transept it springs in 
one instance from a fleur-de-lis ornament intervening between it and the capital of the 
supporting shaft. 

Chantries. The North transept (see Brasses) has evidently been a chantry, probably 
that of All Saints, as I have observed that foundations to our lady are more usually on the 
Southern side of churches. 

CorriN. A stone coffin dismantled of its lid lies near the choir door. Part of a coffinlid 
with cross flory was dug up in the churchyard a year or two ago but was suffered to be 



PAPAL. 



215 



destroyed. The early stone in Barningham churchyard, Yorks., of which I present a cut 




seems to he a coffinlid, and of Saxon date. It is nearly covered with grass and soil, hut 
seems about three and a half or four inches thick. The coffinlids thus decoratpd served as 
monumental slabs, but in the Saxon period a sort of high dos dane monument appears to 
have been used, of which examples occur at Bedale. 
Corbel-tables remain under the later battlements in the Nave 

and transepts, consisting of small blocks simply fjs 
moulded and supporting the parapet. 

Cross, There is no vestige of one, but there f 
are the remains of two fine Saxon ones at [ 






[Details of Saxon tomb in Bedale Church, which has a tiled roof as belo2c] 



Aycliffe, five miles off, which are supposed 
to commemorate the two synods held 
there in 782 and 789. There are remains 
of the usual churchyard cross of Saxon 
date at Hauxwell, near Richmond, and 
at Bedale. Since writing p. 81, Ifind that 
as early as about 1313 the Wal worths had 
family "transactions respecting one rood on 
le Crosflat. See cuts over. 





[Part of Saxon tomb, found in Bedalf Church, 
now penes TV. Harker, Esq. Tlteakstone Villa, ,] 



[Part of Cross at Bedale. ,] 



Doorways. The Choir door is a plain square chamfered one in a buttress-like projection. 
The West door is grand in its simplicity. It is situate in a triangular headed projection of 
the wall. The capitals of three shafts (which have evidently been stolen for the marble) 
at each side alone remain, they support rectangular sets of deeply undercut roll mouldings, 
within which is a continuous bead moulding, sadly cut, to accommodate itself to a modern 
door. The North and South doors have chamfered mouldings and two shafts at each side ; 
the latter has had a porch, but the former is placed in a projection which has a short piece 
of moulding at each side above the doorway. The outer door of the destroyed South porch 
was obtuse pointed, and is shown in Cade's print. 

Dripstoxes generally run on in a string. Those of the Tower arches rest on shafts, and 
are adorned Avith an ornament like a nutmeg pared down to an hexagonal form. In the 
arcades of the South transept a cruciform fiower, animals and human heads occur ; the 



216 



ECCLESIASTICAL. 




latter are modern, being moulded partly from the physiogno- 
my of a drunken man, and have nevertheless a good effect 
and a much more sensible expression than would be ex- 
pected. The North door has moulded terminations, the 
South, rosettes. The decorated windows have masques. 








[Crosses at Aycliffe. Seep. 215.] 

Effigy. There is but one monumental figure, of which I give a cut, (see next p.) but 
it must be nearly coeval with the fabric, being a female in the dress of the twelfth cent., 
holding a book (?) and supported by an angel. A fibula appears beneath the neck and an 
an aulmoniere is suspended from the girdle. Altogether the figure is much like that of 
Richard I's. queen, Berengaria. It now stands upright in the church near the "Western 
door. 

Font. Plainish circular shaft, on two steps of the same form ; the basin is octagonal 
lined with lead. It is coeval with the building, but is painted over. The fine late perpen- 
dicular cover (perhaps as late as Cosin's time) is also painted to imitate the material of 
which it is constructed — oak ! 

Galilee. See p. 46. The Glossary of Architecture says that " in some churches there 
are indications of the West end of the Nave having been parted off from the rest, either 
by a step in the floor, a division in the architecture, or some other line of demarcation : it 
was considered to be somewhat less sacred than the other portions of the building." At 
present the West bay only of our Nave is screened off as a porch, but this is quite a mo- 
dern arrangement, and the screen was further eastward some few years ago. I am not 
even quite sure that the change of architecture at the commencement of the Eastern- 
most arch of the Nave is without its meaning, for in Middleham church the mark of a 
screen of considerable height across the whole church at the same point is distinctly visible. 

Material. " A hard grit-stone little injured by time." Cade. "The expenceofthe 
fabric before us was immense ; for the stone of which it is built, according to the opinion 
of judicious workmen, was brought above twelve miles, from the quarries of Cockfield-fell." 
— Hutchinson. 



PAPAL. 



.21 





[Cross at Hauxwell 



Newell-staircases. One at the S. W.of 
the South transept in a turret which changes 
from a square to an octagon. At the top this 



turret has small quatrefoil windows, and lower down plain slits ; it has a door into the 
churchyard and formerly had another into the church ; the staircase continues to the top 
of the turret, hut at present is only used to attain the flat ceiling of the transept on which 
there is a passage beneath the old roof to the upper arches of the tower, which form the 
sides of a chamber for the bellringers. There is another newell-^staircase in the roodloft. 

Niches. A trefoiled one above the S. door, another at its W. side, and a third above 
the W. door, apparently for images. 

Pinnacles. Those on the tower are modern, but at each side of the Western gable is 
an early example, with small pannels terminating in an octagonal spiret. At the summit 
of that on the S. is a mutilated sitting figure. 

Piscina. In the East wall. The masonry is mainly original, but the blundering label and 
shields (one of which is charged with a mullet in bad imitation of Ingleby's estoile) are 
modern and of wood. There are two cinquefoiled recesses, the S. one has a basin divided 
into two parts, the North one runs deeper into the wall and. is plain, having probably an- 
swered as a credence table. The two basins are apparently for the two uses of the piscina, 
the washing of the priest's hands and the rinsing of the chalice. 

Roodloft. The Darlington example is perhaps unique. It is a massive stone gallery 
or platform, the whole width of the great chancel arch, some 13 feet in height and 7 in 
depth, having a wide ribbed archway in its centre, leading from the nave to the chancel. 
This arch is ribbed precisely like a bridge arch, and the whole now presents a bald effect ; 
but it appears that formerly it was ornamented heraldically, as Cade, in " Hell- Kettles" 
(which, since writing p. 36, 1 have found from a letter to Mr. Allan about offering it to Miss 
Darnton, was his production), laments " the destruction of the arms of benefactors to the 
fabric, cut in stone, and properly blazoned over the entrance into the quire, by a late re- 
former." The images of the rood were in allusion to St. John, xix. 26, "Christ on the cross 
saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing by." The sound of a door re- 
mains on tapping at the North end, and a portion of a winding staircase is still used as an 
access to the organ on the South. In the two blocked windows of the choir next to the 
choir arch are the remains of two small Decorated windows, (the South one with a tre- 
foiled head, the North one having a cinquefoiled head and cinquefoiled transom) which 
served to throw light upon the Roodloft, which is also of Decorated date. 

2E 



218 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Roofs. Against the first piers from the West, on both sides of the Nave, there are clear 
evidences of the plan of vault adopted in the Aisles, consisting of portions of chamfered 
ribs, and in the North Aisle opposite these remains, an elegantly moulded corbel remains 
on the wall on which the ribbing fell. In the Nave where the two architectures join, a 
triply-shafted pillaret runs up the wall to the string beneath the clerestory, which latter 
part of the building has been so modernized as to leave no clue to what the shaft supported. 
Whatever was the contour of the Early English roofs, they have only left their moulding 
on the tower walls above the present line of leading, being supplanted by Decorated oaken 
roofs of five cants, there being no tie-beam or king-post. These remain in the Nave and 
Transepts,but are hidden by a modern plain pannelled ceiling, which extends to the Tower. 
The choir has a flattish Tudor roof as well as the Vestry. My own impression is, that the 
original roofs were vaulted arches, corresponding in shape and altitude to the upper arches 
of the tower, that the passage to the tower was from the newel staircase through the space 
between that arch and the apex of the weather moulding ; and that the weight of these 
roofs being blamed for the settlement in the fourteenth century, they were replaced by the 
canted ones which are of the later style of cant. It is remarkable that at one side only of 
the weather mouldings there is a hitch ; that of the South transept is shewn in my plate. 

Sedilia. Three in gradation ascending to the East, consisting of trefoiled ogee arches : 
the compartments formed between the heads and the square outer moulding are also foiled, 
and contain shields, only one of which is charged and contains the estoile of Ingleby. The 
original depth of these seats cannot be ascertained, as the safe behind has interfered with 
them. The Sedilia were seats for the officials during certain parts of the mass. 

Sepulchre . The Easter Sepulchre (at which were transacted some strange theatrical 
mysteries at Easter : see the Rites of Durham, &c.) consists of a Tudor-arched recess in 
the North wall of the Chancel under a square head embattled ; the spandrils formed by 
which are filled in with foliage, on which a colouring of green may still be dimly traced. 

Spire . This feature of the church is part of the original design and is octagonal, each 
face being eight feet broad at the base At the angles are bold undercut bowtells, and 
some distance up, on the four cardinal fronts, are small trefoil lights with transoms of De- 
corated date. The height is 108 feet, 180 feet from the ground. It is supported partly on 
the main walls of the tower and partly on squinches in the corners. 

On July 17, 1750, this beautiful spire, considered the highest and finest in the North of 
England, was rent and shaken from top to bottom. On the N. W. side of it, about three 
yards below the top, the stones were thrown quite out, so as to lay the inside open for a 
space near ten yards ; between which break and the bottom were several others, but none 
quite so large : the church also was much hurt and damaged. Several houses in the town 
were much shattered and laid open in many places ; some people were likewise struck 
down with the sulphureous blast, and lay senseless for several minutes, but none were kill- 
ed. This storm occasioned fifteen yards of the spire to be taken clown and rebuilt in 1752, 
and divine service could not be performed until the spire was taken down and the church 
repaired. The agreement with Robert Nelson of Melsonby, stone-cutter, and Robert 
Corney of Coatham, carpenter, stipulates that the spire should be rebuilt the same height 
as before, and that the fifteen yards required to be done accordingly should be perfornipd 
for 105?. Unfortunately the mason omitted the moulding at the angles in the new part, and 
thus deprived it of much beauty. It is a coincidence that the only two spires of considera- 
ble elevation in the county, Chester and Darlington, should both have the same rhyme 
connected with them (p. 125), and have required rebuilding from the same cause. 

Stalls. On each side of the choir are good panelled desks and miserere seats with car- 
ved elbows, fine florid. " Their oak bench ends, full five inches thick," says Billings, "are 
the most massive specimens we have ever met with. Their numerous edge mouldings 
would seem rather to belong to a large archway." The arms of Cardinal Langley fix them 
to a date about 1 430, and the same insignia occur on the more numerous but less massive 
stalls at St. Andrews Auckland, at which church, and at Lanchester, the bishop had the 
first stall on the S. side ; the dean the first on the N., and at Durham the prior sat on the 
N. side in like manner. We may presume the same arrangement was followed at Darling- 
ton. The North stalls are imperfect, three of them having been demolished to make room 
for a great ugly pew at no distant period. There ought to be nine at each side, two being 
against the Roodloft. The desks and stands are handsomely panelled with bold tracery 
and the elbows and poppyheads are full of beautiful foliage, quiet angels, and comical heads 
with lolling tongues. The designs of the misereres, beginning at the W. stall of the N. set 
are these : 1, a little man with laced boots gathering or supporting flowers ; 2, a lion's 
head ; 3, the little man asleep, his boots wwlaced ; 4, a winged and clawed morster with a 
human head ; 5, (Easternmost of S. side) a human head ; 6, an eagle (a device which oc- 
curs in other parts) ; 7, an angel and open book ; 8, a winged monster having a lion's body 
and eagle's head ; 9, our said little man with one boot laced, the other unlaced, having a 
chain round the neck of a clawed monster whose leonic physiognomy seems to be smiling 
with amusement at the fierce strokes the little man gives with a ragged staff on his head 
(there, is evidently a legend connected with this little man] ; 10, a human head ; 11, a 
crowned figure with two sceptres [whose face is much like that of the small man] 
between two griffins sejant gorged. This would be the bishop's seat. Five misereres are 
wanting besides those of the destroyed stalls. On the backs of some of the stalls are cutt- 
ings by the knives of some idle officials, " W," " Maria," in black letter, &c. 

Steeple. A massy central tower of which the transept sides are two feet shorter than 
those of the Nave and chancel. 

Strings. These occur in great abundance and of varied mouldings. One on the W. 
wall of the S. Transept terminates in an elegant rosette, and there is a very effective one 






DARLINGTON COLLEGIATE CHURCH. 



MISERERES. 



W. Hylton Longstaffe, del. 










DARLINGTON COLLEGIATE CHURCH. 

END AND MISERERE OF THE BISHOP'S STALL- 



W. Hylton Longstaffe, del. 



PAPAL. 219 

on the W. front consisting of a zigzag formed of laurel-like leaves slanting in different 
directions. 

Tooth Ornament. This occurs in one place only, the architrave of a small window in 
the W. side of the S. transept, which is generally of richer work than the rest of the 
building. 

Windows. These are the glory of Darlington Church. The West front is a very fine 
composition . Above the deeply recessed doorway in its shallow porch is an arcade of five 
rather obtuse arches with banded pillars, two of which are open as windows ; over these a 
triplet, the centre only open, in the gable. The East end, which in a late pamphlet of high 
authority is said to be "quite Norman," is in fact " quite modern" from a short distance 
off the ground, and has four plain semicircular lights. " The East end of the quire," says 
Cade, " being out of its perpendicular, by taking away the leaded conic roof (after the 
alienation of the college, temp. Edw. VI.) was repaired in the present humble manner by 
Lord Viscount Vane, the patron, in the year 1748 ; until that time, the stalls in the quire 
and architecture of the East end had a venerable appearance, being adorned with six large 
windows, and excellent Gothic work in stone and wainscot." Both Transept-ends have 
four lights disposed two and two ; in the N. one above these is a triplet of arches, the cen- 
tre being pierced ; in the S. the gable is filled by a rose window consisting of a quatrefoil, 
the foils floriated. The other sides of the Transepts and choir have two sets of windows, 
pierced in fine internal arcades, of very varying detail in each arch. The nail head orna- 
ment occurs profusely, and the two centre lights of the lower set on each side of the choir 
are ornamented luxuriantly with a lozengy decoration of Norman contour, in which the 
lozenges at the angle of a rectangular moulding are filled up with a sort of four-leaved flower. 
In the small arches of the upper set near the Chancel arch in the N. Transept and Choir 
the peculiar feature of a smaller shaft, overtopping and resting upon the ordinary shaft, and 
supporting one member of the mouldings only, occurs. In the same Transept some of the 
lights have a different pitch of arch to that of the mouldings, the variation being remedied 
by the inelegant device of making the inner cylindrical moulding to grow broader towards 
its summit. The whole of the work in this part is of plainer character than in all other 
portions of the church. One of the arches in the choir arcades is semicircular. The South 
transept is peculiarly rich. The South side has two triplets with banded shafts, the cen- 
tres blank, the sides pierced, in the lower range two rosettes of extreme chastity and ele- 
gance are introduced in the spandrils. On the E. the upper set has banded shafts and 
arches, with exquisite sunken trefoils and quatrefoils in the spandrils ; the lower range 
has a profusion of nail-head ornaments which extend to the trefoil and quatrefoil spandril 
panels, the shafts are plain. The W. window arcades are of the same rich character, and a 
rich rosette panel is introduced in a spandril, composed of four marigold-like flowers with 
five quatrefoiled flowers in the intervening spaces, the whole being surrounded with nail- 
heads. The clerestory of the Nave is ruined with plaster internally, and the plan is not 
apparent, but at the exterior it is a fine array of arches, disposed in triplets, the centre of 
each being pierced as a window. The aisle windows are square decorated, of prebendary 
Ingleby's time, and of much the same pattern as the sedilia, their heads are filled with or- 
dinary and not very rich flowing tracery. The tower has a series of five Early English 
arches at each side filled with Decorated tracery, the centre one pierced as a belfry window. 

My plate will exhibit the main features of this fine church, in which I 
have restored the shafts of the West Door, left out the circular plates in the 
West end, to which the supporting rods are fastened ; and as few headstones 
last a longer time than fifty or sixty years, I have not entombed and hurt the 
proportions of the work of Pudsey. In 1774, Cade published a S. W. view 
by Sam. Wilkinson, of very stiff execution. He gave it to his friend, Geo. 
Allan, whose son the M.P. presented it to Mr. Nichols, who placed it at the 
disposal of Surtees, for the use of his history, but it was not adopted.* The 
plate in Surtees is by Blore, it is effective, but all the arches are too sharp, 
and the tower too narrow. Billings, in his Architectural Antiquities of the 
County, has given beautiful N.W. and S. views of the exterior, a portion of 
the interior of the fine S. Transept, and smaller illustrations of portions of 
the zigzagged window of the choir and stall -work. The largest S.W. view 
is the latest, a lithograph from a drawing by Mr. Stephen Humble, of Dar- 

* " I thank you for the handsome prints, in return for which I will send you my copper- 
plate of Darlington Church ; it may be useful in your family (as a private plate), but do 
not wish to put you under any restrictions." — Cade to Allan, 1788. The plate in Hutchin- 
son is reduced from Cade's engraving. 



220 



ECCLESIASTICAL. 



lington ; it includes a large portion of back ground, and is, with one or two 
exceptions, a correct likeness. 

The Deanery in its former picturesque state is presented to my readers at 
the head of this chapter. Roughcast has been plentifully daubed thereon, 
and the mere outline of the building now remains to the S. W. of the church- 
yard.* 

" The common seal of the said Collegiate Church/' used by the church- 
wardens in 1507,-f" was a round one of the style of the thirteenth century. 
The Virgin and child are seated under a fine Early English canopy, 
-r SIGILLVM : COMMVNE : DE : DERNINGTVK 



* That Mr. Robert Crompton [of Skerne, co. York, and much mixed up with tithe deal- 
ings in the parish] shall within thirty days avoyde out of the Deanry the poor woomen 
dwelling there." — Borough Books. 

T See the instrument under St. Paul's Rents hereafter. 





[Saxon fibula of bronze, ornamented with silver twist, found on the shoulder of a skeleton in 
Leeming Lane, near Bedale, whose breast was transfixed with a rusty spear head. The 
ornamental top is moveable, and is shown only in the upper cut. By leave of the owner, Mr. 
Wm- Hedley, of Monkwearmouth, this rare type of brooch was exhibited by the author at the 
Archaeological Institute's Meeting at Lincoln. Actual size.] 



arijaptet ffl. Wxotemwt 

I. The Church of England. 

I resume the succession of Incumbents, who are now styled Perpetual 
Curates. 

" Sir John Clapham, vicare of Darlington," occ. 1560. 

Sir John Claxton, occ. 1561, 1565. 

James Thornton, died 1571. 

John Welshe, 1571, died of the plague in Darlington* 

John Wood/all, 1584. The Register commences June, 1590,t but it is remarkable 
that the first and second books are numbered 2 and 3. 

Robert Gesford, 1601. 

Robert Thomlinson, 1602, signs " Ro. Thomlinson, vicar," in the registers which were 
then first signed at the foot of each page by the incumbent and churchwardens. This 
practise continued till Clapperton's time. Margaret Thomlinson wife of Robert Thom- 
linson vicar of D. bur. 29 Jan., 1602 3. Robert Thomlinson and Alice Pape mar. 8 Sep., 
1603 (the entry an autograph). Mrs. Alice Thomlinson had a house in the Head-rawe 
at Darlington, 1630. Alice Thomlinson of D. widow, bur. 8 Dec. 1644. 

" A sermon preched by me Henrye umfray the first of Januarye beinge licensed by 
the Right Reverend farther in God Doctor Oerton [Overton] bishop of Caventre and 
Lechfeld anno Domini 1603." Par. Reg. p. 1. 

I know not whether the wretch in the following entry from the Eryholme Register 
was a relative of our parson : — " 1665. June 3. Richard Barnet and Martha Nesum 
of Dalton, mar. This Martha Nesum was the widow of John Nesum, who was barber- 
ously murdered by one Tomlinson, of Oxneyfield, cuming from Darlington. This 
Tomlinson was brother to Parson Heberon, of Croft, who he got to advance his Tythes." 

Isaac Lowden (signs " vicarius ibid." and " Ecclesim Rector") 1606. Bur. 3 Jan. 
1611-2 as " minister of the word and vicar of this place." 

Brian Grant, (vicarius ibidem) 1612. Bur. 26 Jan., 1621-2 

Ralph Donkine, son of John Donkine, a clergyman on travel ( 'Clerici peregrini ) bap. 
10 Dec, 1620. John [the father] undertaker for his bringing up. (See p. 131.) 

* " He died of the plague at Darlington, A.D. 1597, there were buried in the month of 
August 89, and in September 136." — Hutch. This passage is obscure, but Welshe must 
have died at an earlier period, and is not among the registered victims of 1597. 

t The Register is at first arranged in a way not very likely to tempt wary batchelors to 
enter the holy estate of matrimony, " The names of those baptized within the parish of 
Darlingtonn Anno Domini 1 590." — " The names of those buried and joined in matrimony 
in the year aforesaid 1590." This arrangement has puzzled some stupid fellow who has 
altered the dates after 1 590 till he came to 1 596, when he found himself three years wrong, 
he having altered it to 1599, here he stopped, and so we now skip back from 1599 to 1597, 
from which year the dates are correct. With a little care and the guide of the queen's 
reign, we may detect the mistake all the way, but this is awkward in searches, and I 
should suggest the original year being restored in red ink. The years 1591 and 1592 begin 
with Feb. 1, the succeeding ones with March 25 as the practice was till 1752. 



222 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Robert Hope ("curate " and "minister") 1622 ; bur. as "vicar," 10 Feb., 163940. 
The following windy entry of the Cromwellian period perhaps alludes to his daughter 
Mary, bp. 1623-4. 

1653. Dec. 4. The first publicac'on* was made in the parish Church of Darlington 
of a maniage intended Betweene Symon Willie the son of John and Margaret Willie of 
Thornton in the Beanes in the parish of North Otterington in the Countie of Yorke on 
the one p'tie and Mary Hope the daughter of Anne Hope Widdow in the parish of D ar- 
lington and no exceptions made. — 11. The second publicac'on was made of the same 
persons and no exceptions against them. — 18. The third publicac'on was made of the 
same parties and no exceptions came against them [" to hinder their p'ceedings in mar- 
riage" often added in other cases.] — 21. The said parties was married in Yorkeshire. 
[In the Durham matches these words are usually added " By Francis Wrenn Esquier 
at Auckland one of the Justices of Peace for this Countie."] 

George s. John Vincent, preacher (concionatoris) of D. bp. 20 June, 1636. 

" The first day of November in the yeare of our lord god 1638 Thomas Ingmethorpe 
of Darlington, clerk, buried at Staindon." — Par. Reg. p. 1. He was born in Worces- 
tershire, quitted Brazennose Coll. Oxon. without a degree ; reputed a good Hebrew 
scholar, and appointed Master of Durham School, 1610 ; Rector of Stainton, 1594 ; de- 
prived for " a reflecting sermon " against Ralph Tunstall, prebendary of the tenth stall. 
On his submission he was allowed to return to Stainton, where he taught ten or twelve 
boys till his decease.t A mercer of the same name d. at Darlington in Dec, 1650 ; and 
in Feb. following a Thomas Inglethorpe and Isabell Rymer are entered in our register 
as being married at Allerton. The name is very variously spelled. In 1648-9, Dr. 
Basire writes from Paris, " To my very loving friend, Mrs. Frances Basire, at Eagles- 
cliffe, neare Yarum. Leave this with Mr. Ingmelthorp at Darlington in the County of 
Durham." 

John Glaypertonn ("'minister") 1640. There was a John Clapperton, vicar of Wood- 
horn in Northumberland, whom Walker mentions as one that was driven from his 
living by the zealots during the Usurpation ; and that his living was then valued at 
120£ a year.J There is only one signature of Clayperton in the Darlington register, 
and it is in 1640. After April, 1645, there is a gap of half a year and the register be- 
comes exceedingly imperfect. 

1641. Sep. Nathaniel Warde, the loyalist vicar of Staindrop, (who becoming too 
militant was mortally wounded at Milium Castle seige in 1644) writes : — I heard only 
yesterday that all the clergy of Darlington district had been summoned by the magis- 
trates to confirm by an oath that P. P. P. of the mob. They even say that the clergy, 
churchwardens, and overseers are compelled when they have taken the oath, to admin- 
ister it to the rest of the parishioners, which when the mule breeds I will do." 

John Rudd, minister, bur. 29 March, 1646-7. 

A dreary gap occurs, and parish registrars§ were introduced during the time of the 

* The late clerk of Coniscliffe, all smiles and crimson, used to vociferate the moment 
after the first banns of any couple were published, " God speed them weel !" 

t Athen. i. 510. 

X " Bishop Morton disposed of his spiritual preferments to none but his own chaplains, 
tried and found faithful. He however broke through this rule in favour of John Weemes 
and Anthony Maxton, two Scotchmen, for whom Charles I. asked and obtained prebendal 
stalls during his Northern progress in 163... The latter was also Rector of Wolsingham, 
and Clappurton, another Scot, obtained through the same royal recommodation the vicar- 
age of " — Surtecs i. xciv. n. 

§ Christopher Wilkinson Book Anno Dom. 1651. (erased).— So this booke was Finished 
vp the said xxixth of September 1653 and a new Register Begun According to Act of Par- 
liament, By me John Cooke The Chosen and Sworne Register for Darlington.— The sue- 



PROTESTANT. 223 

rebellion. Yet it is comfortable to think that in the worst of times, the people of Dar- 
lington had not forgotten their God and their church. In 1654, William Priscott (a 
Parliament man, by the way) paid to " the churchwardens for the use of the church," 
a heavy assessment of 20s. 5d. upon the land he had given 5251. and a colt for, and the 
services of a minister who preached " when we had not a ministere" were valued at 6s. 
worth of cheering sack. 

John Darnton was an intruder during the Protectorate in Bedlington vicarage. " He 
was put in by sequestration." 

Mr Coup of Darlington clarecus br. 24 Dec. 1659. In the Middleham registers the 
word claricus is used to designate a parish clerk in 1681. 

George Bell* was the first minister after the Restoration, 1661. He was father of 
George Bell, rector of Croft. The Rev. Mr. George Bell, minister of D. bur. 20 Mar. 
1692-3. In the church accounts for 1691 is an item of Is. 4d. " for a pint of brandy 
when Mr. George Bell, [the rector of Croft], preached here." 

Christiana Melicensis filia Danielis Melicensis Magistri Artis Perigrinorum, bp. 3 Apr. 
1665. 

Mr James Tate, minister of Byshopton, br. 9 Jan. 1686-7. He lived at Darlington 
and occurs in the registers as minister of Sadbridge, Sadbiridge or Sadbury. He had 
numerous children. 

George TJiompson, D. D., 1693. He m., in 1701, Mrs. Jane Hodgson of Fieldhouse in 
this parish. " Here lieth the body of George Thomson D : D : Minister of Darlington 
and vicar of Coniscliffe who Departed this life March the 21st Ann. Dom. 1711 JEtat. 
47. Here lieth the body of Jane the wife of George Thomson who departed this life the 
29 [June, 1713."] — Slab in Darlington Nave. 

Memorandum. That on Satterday the 24th of Aprill Anno Domini 1697 : The Hon. 
Robert Boothe Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Durham, with the Rev. Hammond 
Beaumont Official Visitted this church personally and then enjoyned, That the Sacra- 
ment of the Lords Supper be Administred Monthly, a Course of Catechizing through- 
out the whole year, duely performed, and Rattles to the Communion Table Sett up, the 
performance of all which are to be certifyed at the next Michaelmas Visitac'on under 
the Minister and Churchwardens Hands. The said Catechizticall Lectures to be per- 
formed on every Sunday in the Afternoon, instead of a Sermon. — Posth : Smith, 
Registerf 

In 1705, a Brief was obtained for collecting throughout the kingdom alms for the 
reparation of Darlington Church. The Town received only 3681. 18s. Od. out of 
9391. 105. 2d. the expenses of collection being 5701. 12s. 2d. ! J 

John Hall, 1712, lived in the old Elizabethan brick house between Tnbwell Row and 
the church-yard, now the Nag's Head,§ br. 2 Jan. 1727-8; his widow Barbara br. 1740-1. 
His son Thomas was " buried close before the Reading desk" in 1721. || 

ceeding book was " Sould by William Hutcheson Bookeseller in Durham 1653." — Apr : 
the xxxth 1657. Bee it remembred that John Hodshon of Darlington gent, did this day 
take the oath for execution of the office of Parish Register within the parish of Darlington 
(being also duely) according to the forme of the Act of Parliament in this behalfe lately 
made and provided Before Tho : Liddell . Fean : Wren. — Par. Beg. Cook and Hodgson 
were schoolmasters. The registers begin to be in English in 1651. Up to Apr. 1645 they 
are beautifully kept, apparently by the clerk, certainly not by the clergyman. Then comes 
a gap of six months, and after that a very imperfect registry, for the new system was by 
no means an efficient one. 

* The Latin was restored to the registers in 1664, but in Bell's time they are most shame- 
fully kept, as many as six months together being totally wanting sometimes- 
+ Par. Reg. X Allan's MSS. § Title deeds. 

II Hall and his two successors may truly be called " the three good registrars," and give 
a treat after the wretched productions of the idle parsons of Stuart days. Hall certifies 



224 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Cornelius Harrison, A.M., 1727, was'son of John Harrison by Mary dr. of Cornelius 
Ford of Kings Norton * Her sister Sarah was Dr. Johnson's mother, and the man of 
the Dictionary was therefore our parson's own cousin. " Next morning," says the 
sage in a letter to Mrs. Thrale, 12 Aug. 1773, on his tour to the Hebrides, " we changed 
our horses at Darlington, where Mr. Cornelius Harrison, a cousin-german of mine, was 
perpetual curate. He was the only one of my relations who ever rose in fortune above 
penury, or in character above neglect. The church is built crosswise, with a fine spire, 
and might invite a traveller to survey it ; but I perhaps wanted vigour, and thought I 
wanted time." 

Harrison had died in 1748 " universally lamented,"f and was buried in the South 
porch where a decaying brass remains. " To the memory of the Revd. Corns. Harrison, 
A.M., who departed this life Oct. 4th, 1748, aged 49. Likewise of Mary his wife who 
died Aug. 6th., 1798, aged 77. It is requested that this stone may never be removed." 
It is remarkable that the mural monument to his son Cornelius of Stubb House, esq., 
at Bowes, also states that " It is requested that the great stone below may never be dis- 
turbed." The marriage here, of " Mr. James Robson, of Ellerton in Yorkshire, to Miss 
Harrison, sister to Cornelius Harrison, esq., of Stubhouse ; an accomplished young lady 
with a large fortune''^ on 16 Oct., 1772, may be added to Dinsdale's pedigree. 

Andrew Wood§ A. M., 1748, master of St. John's Hospital, Barnard-Castle, rector of 

that from 18 Oct. 1710, to 2 June, 1712, he found the register imperfect and empty, yet he 
contrived to fill up the vacuum very respectably. 

* The whole connection may be seen in Dinsdale's Edwin and Emma, p. 48. 

f " N.B. When hereafter in this Register I shall set after the name of any Person bu- 
ried the letters r. a., I would be understood to mean that I received in due time an affi- 
davit of that Person's having been buried in Woollen, according to Act of Parliament ; and 
when I shall add after any name n. A. not., with any day of the month, I desire it may be 
understood that I received no affidavit, and notified the same in writing under my hand 
to the Church Wardens on the day specified. Sept. 20th, 1736. Cornelius Harrison." 

In 30 Car. 2, it was enacted that the relations of the deceased should within eight days 
after interment bring an affidavit to the parson That the person was not put in or buried 
in any shirt, shift, sheet, or shroud made or mingled with flax, hemp, silk, hair, gold or 
silver, or any other than what is made of sheep's wool only, or in any coffin lined or faced 
with any cloth, stuff, or any thing made or mingled with any material but sheep's wool. 
And if no affidavit brought, the Parson was to certify to the Churchwardens or Overseers, 
and to enter burials and whether there was an affidavit in a Register. This Act was for 
the promotion of the Woollen manufacture, and was repealed 54 Geo. III. The Darlington 
entries are nearly all " n. A. not." 

% Darlington Pamphlet. 

§ The handwriting of Wood was truly beautiful, and the registers were painfully exact. 
" Memorandum. The Parchment of this Register being exceedingly bad to write upon, 
I have been in use to keep the Register of Baptisms first upon paper, and then at some 
leisure time (after preparing the parchment for receiving the ink) to transcribe it into this 
Parchment Book : And unfortunately before the said Transcript was made of the Baptisms 
from the 26th of June, 1767, to the 20th of March, 1768, both inclusive, the paper register 
containing the same was taken away or stolen out of one of the drawers under the Table in 
the vestry, where it was kept (in order that my Curate and I might equally, on all occa- 
sions, have access to it), and probably has been wantonly or mischievously destroyed. I 
have therefore taken all necessary pains to supply the said loss, so that I would fain hope 
there will be very few, if any, omissions or mistakes. Those who were baptized privately 
were chiefly supplied from the Curate's Pocket Book, wherein he entered the names and 
dates of those so baptized, at the time of the Baptisms ; and the others were collected from 
the testimony of Parents, Sponsors, Midwives and Nurses, who were diligently examined 
with regard to the same. Note also, that if any observation occurs in this Parchment 
Register of Baptisms referring to a time posterior to the date of the Baptism of the child, 
such observation was made when the said paper Register was transcribed into this parch- 
ment one. See an example. Nov. 16, 1764. And. Wood, Curate." The example alluded 



PROTESTANT. 22* 

Gateshead, and Hedley in Surrey, and chaplain in ordinary to the King. He died of a 
fever, Thursday, 12 March 1772, and was buried in the choir of Gateshead church, where 
there is a mural monument in the South Aisle, inscribed " To the memory of Andrew 
Wood, M. A., Rector of this church. Born xxix May, MDCCXV ; inducted ix Sept., 
MDCCLIX ; interred, amidst the tears of his Parishioners, xv March, MDCCLXXIL 
This monument of their esteem, affection, and gratitude, w T as erected by the people of 
Gateshead." 

Wood was one of the drawers up of the inscription for Noble's monument at Bolton- 
on-Swale. He was the constant correspondent of vicar Toby Heyrick of Gainford : and 
his residence was divided between Darlington and Gateshead. When at the former, he 
was always one of Toby's convivial guests. He was an uncommonly lively writer, as an 
epistolary correspondent ; and was in his time the primum mobile and the very soul of 
festivity amongst the Maids of Honour and the chaplains at St. James's.* Mr. John 
Eden, of Gainford, one day invited Heyrick to dine with him ; but, previous to the ap- 
pointed time, requested him to call at his house, when he afforded him a preliminary 
gratification by the exhibition of a fine haunch of venison, that was acquiring a proper 
gusto in the larder. Toby paced round and round the joint, rejoicing in prospective at 
its forthcoming demolition : while Mr. Eden was discussing who should be invited, and 
hinted that Wood might be one. " Wood ! No, no," said Toby, " Wood ! No. HeT 

to is this. 1764. Nov. 16. " Dorothy Daughter of James Robson of Darlington Breeches- 
Maker, and Mary English of Darlington (who at first alledged that they were married at 
Durham but since were married here in this church by Licence the 20th of December 
1764) baptized." 

" James Smith of this parish and Jane Garth of Saint Andrew Auckland spinster, mar- 
ried by licence &c. by T. H. Tidy, Curate of Gt. Stainton" 23 May 1764. " N.B. To supply 
Mr. Tidy's omission in the register of the above marriage, I observe, that the said James 
Smith is a clerk and my assistant Curate, and that the said Jane Garth is a spinster and a 
minor, and was married with the consent of Bowes Garth her natural and lawfull Father. 
And. Wood, Cur." Smith was afterwards minor can:n of Durham and vicar of Ellingham 
co. Northum. 

On another occasion, having left two pages blank by turning two leaves over at once, he 
notices the fact six times, covered six lines on one page with small crosses, and where he 
does not notice the error he wrote " Blank" three times on every line of the form, and then 
narrates with proper pride what he had done. In 1765, Allan writes to Ralph Bigland, esq 
Garter King of arms, thus : 

"The 'Observations on Marriages, &c.,' [by Bigland himself] gave me inexpressible 
pleasure ; and the more so as they in every respect agreed with my own sentiments. I 
have for a long time talked to the minister of our Parish, to make his entries in the same 
manner in the Register : and have offered voluntarily to be Public Register myself for the 
whole Parish, would he but give me leave. But what he alledges, is, that the public and 
late acts have prescribed a certain form, from which he dares not deviate. However, one 
may expressly follow that form ; r but surely additions can never do harm. One other part in 
regard to sealing Deeds, Wills, &c. with the person's own seal, has ever been a rule with me 
in the course of my profession, and which I ever will stick to ; and so nice am I in this point, 
that when three or more seals are to be affixed to a Deed, and perhaps the party executing 
has none,— rather than there should be two alike, I frequently send to the shops for com- 
mon penny seals." George has been busy with the registers, adding statistics and what 
not, and in one book " Si quis Registrum hoc vel mutilare in ulla parte, vel nomen aliquod 
delere, addere, aut in falsum immutare, vel quovis alio modo violare audeat,pro sacrilegio 
habeatur a Domino" 

* Geo. Allan the M.P. in Nichols's Lit. Anec. We once had an Anthony Wood here who 
was fined for digging a sand hole in the market place, 1626 ; and (to return to the eaters), 
Nicholas son of Thomas Wood of Darlington, was bp. in 1629, but I have no evidence that 
like his namesake of Kent he could at one meal demolish thirty dozen of pigeons. Cath- 
erine dr. of Mr. Wm. Wood of Darlington, M.D., br. 24 Ap. 1752. George Wood of D. 
gent, uncle to Andrew Wood minister, bur. 28 June 1769. 

2F 



226 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

eat it all. We must not have him." Wood accordingly was not invited ; but shortly- 
after, he heard of the circumstance, and had not long to wait before he had an opportu- 
nity of paying Master Toby in his own coin. One Monday morning he espied him in 
Darlington market, purchasing a pair of soles, which he eyed with uncommon delight, 
and carefully deposited in the pocket of his upper coat. Wood being assured that, ac- 
cording to his usual custom, he would call at his house before he left the town, patiently 
waited his advent, for the consummation of his joke. On his arrival, he lavished every 
species of attention on him, and invited him to dinner. Toby, in the contemplation of 
the delicacy in his pocket, declined. Wood became still more urgent, and induced com- 
pliance at last, by the announcement that a remarkable fine pair of soles was to form 
pert of the entertainment. So he stayed, and was delighted ; and at length departed in 
peace to his vicarage at Gainford. He had not long been ensconced in his parlour, be- 
fore he cried out, "Lucy, take those soles out of my coat pocket." Lucy forthwith 
duly searched the coat, but to no purpose, and reported the same. " Child you're mis- 
taken," cried he ; " go again." A " non inventus" was again returned to the inquisition; 
and his own personal investigation confirming the dread certainty that they had 
vanished, he very justly exclaimed ; " Oh, that Wood, that Wood, he has done me /"* 

" The Revd. Mr. Clark, Minister of Cliesby, Yorkshire," was bur. here 4 May, 1755. 

Henry Remington^ 1772. In the same year a subscription was opened for an after- 
noon lecture, and the Rev. Jos. Watkins, A. M., the sub-curate (who was much es- 
teemed) commenced to preach two sermons accordingly in July. " Not only the op- 
portunity this subscription will give servants and others in various situations to hear 
sermons, but the present prevailing taste for novelty in religion, makes it the more 
necessary.''^ 

The following monuments to the Sisson family occur in the church. On a slab in the 
nave : — " This stone sacred to the memory of Mr. Jonath'n Sisson of this town gent.,§ 
and Grace his wife was laid by their onry son the Revd. Mr. Wm. Sisson Rectr. of 
Markshall in Essex, &c. He was the third son of Theodorus Sisson Esqr. of Kirkbar- 
row in the parish of Barton Westmr. and died Deer. . . . 1743 aged 78. And she 

* Walbran's Gainford. 

f " To the Churchwardens of the Parish of DARLINGTON in the County and Diocese of 
Durham. 

Whereas it hath been represented unto me Samuel Dickens, D.D., archdeacon of Dur- 
ham, that it has become a Practice in your Parish, to bring corpses to be buried at an un- 
seasonable and improper Time, to the great inconvenience of the minister and other officers 
whose Duty it is to attend and perform the Funeral Service at the Interment of the De • 
ceased ; And whereas the General Rule laid down by your minister (who has a Right in 
this case to prescribe such Rule,) is, that in the Winter Season, (to wit,) from Michaelmas 
to Lady-day, every Corpse be brought to be buried by four & 'Clock in the Afternoon : And in 
the Summer Season (to wit,) from Lady-day to Michaelmas, by seven o'clock in the After- 
noon. These are to acquaint you, that I approve altogether of the said Rule, and moreover 
desire, that you will give Directions to the Clerk of your Parish, to signify this my appro- 
bation to the Parish in general, by publickly reading, or causeing to be read, this Letter 
addressed to you, in your church after Morning Service, upon the three following Sundays 
after it comes to your hands ; in order that all the Inhabitants of your parish may hereby 
be duly apprized and admonished to bring their Corpses to be Buried at the times above 
stated and directed ; and that they may likewise be made to understand, that the Minister 
will be justified in refusing to bury that day any Corpses that shall not be brought to the 
Place of Burial by the time appointed to bury in the Summer and Winter Seasons respec- 
tively. Given nnder my Hand at Durham this Fourth day of December in the year of our 
Lord 1776. Samuel Dickens, Archdeacon of Durham. 

X Darlington Pamphlet. 

§ See Grammar School. " Mr. Jonathan Sisson late of Darlington, Grocer, bur. 12 Dec. 
1743." 



PROTEST A NT. 227 

the Dauglitr. of Mr. Francis Kaye Gent, died Febiy. 10th. 1739-40, aged 79." 

On mural monument, North aisle : — " Sacred to the memory of the Revd. William 
Sisson, A. M. who lies buried in this church ; he Avas Rector of Marks Hall, and of the 
Donative church of Pats wick in the County of Essex, Vicar of Norton in this County, 
and chaplain to the Garrison at Berwick-upon-Tweed ; He departed this life January 
27th 1773 aged 75." 

William Gordon, A. M., 1784. Being non-resident, the Rev. James Topham officia- 
ted as sub-curate from 1792 to 1820. Against the vestry of Coniscliffe is a headstone 
inscribed, " In this place are sacredly deposited the mortal remains of The Revd. James 
Topham, vicar of Coniscliffe, who died July 12th, 1832, aged 76 years. In the year 
1820 he was presented to this vicarage in the most handsome manner by the Hon. and 
Revd. Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham, for his long and laborious services in the 
ministry of the large and populous town of Darlington, for the period of twenty-eight 
years. Quiescat in Pace."* 

John William Drage Merest, (vicar of Staindrop and Rector of Cockfield) 1831, p.m. 
Gordon. He resigned in 1846 for Wem in Shropshire. 

The Rev. Wm. Nassau Leger, A. B., was assistant to the sub-curate during part of 
this ministry, and since his incumbency of St. Marys at the Tower, Ipswich, has printed 
some separate sermons, one of which on " The true faith," was preached in Norwich 
Cathedral. 

Alexander James Howell, M.A., 1846. The Rev. Wm. Mark Wray is sub-curate. A 
parsonage house has lately been built in Coniscliffe Lane by the munificence of the lay- 
rector, the Duke of Cleveland, to whom Mr. Howell is domestic chaplain. 

Darlington Curacy. The Duke of Cleveland Patron. Certified value 20/ 
— Proc. ep. 7s. — Lord Crewe's legacy 10/. per annum. — Eeal value about 
300/. Not in charge. Subscribed augmentations 1720 and 1732, 200/. 
each time. Queen's Bounty thereupon 200/. each time. The whole 800/. 
laid out in lands, 1 735. 

The Pew book commences 1 700. The front part of the gallery in the 
North Transept was erected in that year, and similar obnoxious erections 
gradually intruded themselves into the South Transept, both aisles and 
across the Nave.-f- 

1763, Ordered [by the vestry] that no person shall bury in the church at a less sum 
than one guinea for the layer-stall, % for a grown person, and half a guinea for a child. 
By a child is meant one of ten years and under. There is to be no difference in the 

* " Erected in memory of Lieut. William Topham, R. N., who died on board H.M.S. 
Vanguard on her passage from Athens to Malta, Octr. 1837, aged 41 years, and was buried 

at sea." " In a Vault near this stone are laid the remains of James Anthony Topham, 

late assistant surgeon in the 10th regiment of foot, and died Deer. 3d. 1841, aged 44 years." 
— Darlington Churchyard. 

f There are some curious Jacobean pews in the North Transept, ornamented with beau- 
tiful iron scroll work hinges. Cade truly says that " the inside of the church is encum- 
bered with very irregular seats and galleries which destroy the symmetry of the whole," 
and " at this time requires the assistance of some generous benefactors, towards beautify- 
ing and new modelling it upon a more improved and eligible plan." 

J The layer-stall is the place of burial, the layer-stone the slab placed thereon. When 
burials were more customary in the church, they formed a handsome item of income to 
the church funds. In 1824, the church- wardens were directed in vestry to charge \0l. for 
every interment in the church, and only to allow lead coffins to be used for the purpose. 



228 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

price upon the score of places. That the Sexton shall make the graves four feet* 

deep for a grown person, and three feet for a child. And that the Churchwardens do 
provide proper iron rods, that the persons concerned may (if they please) measure the 
said depths. 

1804. Faculty granted for resolution of vestry that the Churchwardens should im- 
mediately cause to be enclosed the middle and side Isles on the West-end of the church 
with folding doors, also that the upper part of the said church should be enclosed for the 
purpose of making the said church more commodious and warm,f and that the stair- 
case leading to the West gallery should be removed, and placed against the North and 
South wall of the said church, and that pews should be erected and built in the vacant 
space where the staircase stood, and also other pews erected on vacant spaces at the 
West-end, and in the West gallery of the said church. 

(In 1835 a number of pews were added at the West-end by the Churchwardens, and 
by them sold. The screen was removed back to range with the back part of the West 
gallery.) 

A few extracts from the Terrier of 1806 shall follow : — 

A person is appointed by the Churchwardens to toll a bell every morning during the 
summers half-year at five o'clock and during the winters at six.;{; 

Over its [the chancel's] entrance is a gallery erected for the blue coat boys, ab ve 
which is a picture with the device of a lion and unicorn rampant, and a crown placed 
betwixt them.§ 

(In 1709, a bookcase of theological books to the amount of some 2,11. were given to 
the church, and are now in the vestry.) 

There are four church-wardens for this parish, viz. : two for the townships of Dar- 
lington and Oxen-a-field, one for the townships of Archdeacon Newton and Cockerton, 
and one for the township of Black well. They are chosen in the vestry |j every Easter 
Tuesday out of those who profess the Protestants' persuasion. One of those for Dar- 
lington and Oxen-a-field is chosen first by the minister, the other by the parishioners, 
as are also the other two chosen by the parishioners of their respective townships. 

The minister demands for every churching, Is. 6d. — For every burial, Is. lOd. (ex- 
cept from another parish, in that case 35. 8d., being double fees) — For every marriage 
by licence, 10s., and for every ditto by banns, 5s. — The Easter offerings are collected 
every year at Easter, chiefly from the principal householders in the parish, who pay 
two-pence a head for themselves, and those of their families who are fourteen years of 
age and upwards. The whole of the surplice fees at this time amount to upwards of 
531., which (as no terrier is to be found) we suppose to be substantiated by custom. 

The clerk's demands, for every burial in this parish are 6d. — the sexton's, Is. 8d. (Is. 
for tolling a bell,1f and 8d. for making a grave) ; but if any person is brought here to 
be buried from some other parish they then demand double fees. Likewise, the clerk 
demands 2s. 6d. for a marriage by licence, and Is. 6d. for a marriage by banns. The 
sexton, Is. for a marriage by licence, and 6d. for one by banns. The clerk likewise 
demands 4td. every Easter of each principal householder in this parish. At that time 
the sexton procures what he can from each principal householder's benevolence. Each 
receives from his office about 301. a year. The clerk is appointed by the minister, the 
sexton by the minister and churchwardens. 

* Altered to 4ft. 6in. in ] 831 . Fee of Id. per inch for additional depth to the sexton. 

f Accordingly the screen was carried up to the roof, and the Western Bay completely 
blocked out. $ Discontinued. 

§ There are now two paintings of the royal arms on the West screen. One dated 1733, 
the other quite modern. || See Grammar School Charter, post. 

■R Formerly the sexton at Darlington tolled the bell immediately after death, even if in 
the middle of the night. 






PROTESTANT. 229 



Agister Boofcr.* 

BAPTISMS.t . . 1593, Mary dr. Richard Bacchus 1594, Elizabeth Boucher 

dr. William Bouchar 1594-5, Alice dr. William Abram 1598, Dorothy bap- 
tized : Avarilla Lavvson dr. of Conan of Black well .J 1601, Elizabeth dr. Manaash 

Bolton, a traveller 1603, Thomas Smith alias LonchisMre§ s. John Smith of D. 

1603-4, Richard Harrison, an orphan of Arch. Newton ; Christabella dr. Rinian 

Englishe of Kirk Newton in Northumberland 1607-8, Catherine dr. Thomas 

Pharoah of D. 1608, William Allon illeg. s. William Allon and one Joice 

1614, An infant, a stranger, his father and mother being unknown 1620, Barbary 

Blachnantle dr. John Blackmantle late of Bishopton 1620 1, Thomas Tipladie, 

illeg. s. Persie Tipladie and Robert Tailor 1629-30, Francis s. Leonard Emerson 

of Bondgait, bap. 17 Jan. but born the 6th of the month aforesaid. || 1631, Frances 

(daughter of no onelF erased) whose father and mother were unknown - - - 1648, 
Jane, d. John Bradforth of D. (Memorandum. It is credibly informed that Jane should 
be Dorothy by the Godmother Alice Middleton the wife of Michael Middleton, an inser- 
tion) 1652, William Liddell the Sonne of Jane Lidle who was a traveller and was 

brought to bed at Cockerton : A child that was a travellers which lay at Luke Cal verts 
in Skinnergate was bap., the name was Mary - - - 1662, An A Lee** dr. Frances A 
Lee of Cockerton 1666. Bell s. Lawrence /Scrivener, gent, of D. [evidently a law- 
yer] 1678, Wm. s. Mr. William Crescy of D.ff : George s. Geo. Deminicus, a 

stranger 1702, A wandring beggers child baptized 1708, Frances dr. Eliza- 
beth Whitlock begotten by Robert Smith in adultery 1710, Peace s. of Praise 

Wadman of D. Inn keeper [a Patience follows in 1715] 1717, Hector s. John 

Ross a poor blind begger 1718, Lucy the bastard d. of Anne Asquith and one Old 

Thorn : Jane the wife of Robt. Lyddel of D. who had been educated from her infancie 

in the principles of Quakerism, aged 23 years or thereabouts 1720, Sarah, dr. 

Christopher Gascoine of D. a child of a year old or thereabouts : Isabel d. of Mary 
Brunton. N.B. She was with child before married her present husband Thomas 

Brunton, as shee declar'd to me, by one Thorns. Martin of Durham, attorney 1721, 

Thamer Cook a young woman of about 20 years of age, a Quaker - - - 1723, Samuel 

Hedley a Quaker aged 38 years or thereabouts 1732, John, bastard son of Jane 

Macdonald of Black well, who refused to name the father 1738, Judith, dr. Wm. 

* On the fly-leaf are numerous loose entries, many relating to other parishes and recus- 
ants. " 1625, collected and given upon a briefe for the poor of London, 5s. 21c?. ob. 

f A huge slice of christening cake is presented to the first person the procession may meet, 
in this neighbourhood, and the first time a child visits a neighbour or relation it is pre- 
sented with a small quantity of salt, bread, and an egg ; or, an egg, salt, and matches. 

£ Blackwell delighted greatly in Averillas. We find Averill Simpson (of a Blackwell 
family) bap. 1594 ; Avarilla Roos, dau. of Christ of er of Blackwell, bap. 15.98 (the entry 
preceeding Avarilla Lawson) ; Avarilla Branson of Blackwell bap. 1598-9 ; and Avarilla 
Langstaff of Blackwell bap. 1601; while Henry Parkinson of Whessoe had a wife Averilla 
bur. 1607-8. 

Both the kindred races of Nesham and Brough Hall held freehold lands in Darlington in 
the 17th cent., and we find in one admittance a clear instance of the peculiar use of cousin 
or consanguineus for grandchild in the same way as nepheiv or nepos often expresses the 
same thing. Henry Lawson, esq., cousin and nearest heir of Ralph Lawson, knt., deceased, 
viz. son and heir of Roger, son and heir of the said Ralph was postponed admittance till he 
brought forth the writings of his title. 

§ " Given Lancasheare on his goeing away ]2d. 1631." 
|| The interval seems short, but it was evidently then thought far too long. 

H Filia nullius. Bastardus est filius mdlius aid filius popxdi, in law. " Comyn of un- 
gentyl fadyr and gentyl moder, spurius, a, of fadyr gentylle and modyr ungentylle, nothus, 
a." (Promp. Parv.) 

** Lee only in 1666. William Lea (commonly called William a Lee) of Morton, bur. 
1649. Haughton. 

+f O Phoebus, what a name ! 



§30 ECCLESIASTICAL 

Smelt of Cockerton, weaver, was baptized privately the 6th of this instant by the Rev. 
Mr. Brunton late curate of Manfield, of which thro' the neglect of the parents I was 

not informed till this day, (Mar. 24.) 1739, Thomas bastard son of a stranger 

who lay-in at Elizabeth Neesham's at Cockerton, and obstinately refused to confess 

either her own name or the father s* 1741, Anne, bastard dr. Martha K , 

late servant at Bishop-Middleham, fathered upon Mr. John Spearman of the same place 

1743, Margaret dr. (supposed bastard) of John Stelling, joyner, and Margaret 

Story, both of D. and now under sentence of excommunication for cohabiting as man and 
wife, without any proof either of Storey's husband being dead, or of their being married 
[still under sentence in 1746] 1750, Charles s. Roger Trueman and Grace Ste- 
phenson of D. who continue to live under sentence of excommunication for a cause assign'd 

July 24, 1748 in this register [there described as " clandestinely married "aline 

scratched out] 1751, James s. James Crawthorn and Margaret Bygate of Black- 
well who pretend to be married by one J. Walker*; 1754, William s. David Hen- 

ireta of London, shoe-maker : Dec. 26, Christopher s. James Catherick weaver. N.B. 
This child Christopher Catherick was born August the 9th 1748, as his father informs 
me ; his mother I found was a Papist, and it was therefore probable that the child was 
before baptized by a Romish Priest, but his father being interrogated at the font, and 
answering that he did not know whether the child was already baptized or no, I bap- 
tized him according to the hypothetical form at the end of the office for private baptism. 

And. Wood, Curate. 1766, John, supposed bastard s. of Margaret Reason, wife of 

John Reason (she living at D. and he somewhere out of sight) 1769, Elizabeth dr. 

of Wilfred Lawrance late of D. house and sign painter (who, for a time, passed for a 
member of the church, and afterwards professed himself a quaker, and has long deserted 
his family) a girl of about 15 years of age, and is now in the workhouse of the poor of 

the township of D. : Ann, dr. Christopher B labourer and Margaret Taylor both 

of D. who gave out that they were married in Scotland. (N.B. They were refused 
marriage here in this church after the banns were asked out, upon the score of affinity ; 
the said Margaret Taylor being, as is alledged, daughter of a sister by the half blood, of 
the said Christopher B — 's deceased wife ) 1773, Thomas Blackett of Mount- 
Pleasure, J brought up in the principles of the anabaptists, aged 23 years, and a school- 
master. 

MARRIAGES.§ 1594, Gawain Ratcliff and Agnes Richardson|| 1620, Mat- 
thew Rimer and Elizabeth Mauleverer 1683, John Milton and Margaret Newton. 

[They had several children.] 1701, Richard Wood Bridler and Dorothy Hodgson 

spinster maried poor DarlingMI 1713, Wm. Davison and Elizabeth Crawforth 

both widowers of D. 1722, Michael Gent and Margaret Dent both of Cockerton 

1765, George Bambrough of this parish fell cutter and Elizabeth Bambrough of 

this par. spinster. Mark made by me for George Bambrough X he being without both 
his hands. — And. Wood, Cur. 1794, Adam Yarker,** yeoman and Ann Mudd 

* All our former clergy professed to adjudicate in such cases and peremptorily named 
the father in their registers. The ire of Dr. Johnson's cousin was evidently great on this 
contumacy. 

+ Of the Cuthbert Hilton school, no doubt. The couple were properly married the same 
year. 

% Beyond Cockerton. 

§ The running for the ribbon and firing of guns at these events seem extinct here, 
though well remembered. 

So n? cadets of the " radiant Ratcliffes" have embalmed their name in Ratcliffe Close 
at Blackwell. Thomas Radcliffe, gent., of Cockerton (whose sister and heiress Anne m. 
Leonard Dykes of Warthol Hall, Cumb., esq.) d. 1593, and a Thomas Ratcliffe of Darling- 
ton, gent., was living 1670. 

Tf She was not a " poor darling," but both were poor and of Darlington. 

** Better known as Blind Adam. He lived in Tubwell Row and died 1816, aged 57, 
having been blind from his birth. He possessed an extraordinary memory, especially 
applied to the registering the number of deaths, &c, which had occurred in the town for 



PROTESTANT. 2SJ 

spinster, both of this parish 1815, [A marriage entry even to the minister's sig- 
nature.] J B [the bridegroom] desired me to write the above, but he and Miss 

F proceeded no further. This marriage was not solemnized. [The lady became 

reconciled and a proper entry occurs the month after]. 

BURIALS. 1591, A child of good man Blandes buryed : John Raynard child 

buryed* 1593, A child of Elizabeth buried 1594, Ray's wife (Ray uxor) 

1596, Willyam Turner wives mother - - 1597, Emmot Tunstall widow : July. 

Here began the Plague. ( Hie incipiebat pestis J\ : December, Chippey buried. 

upwards of forty years. Without hesitating a moment, he could tell how many deaths had 
been in any given year or month, the exact day when the individual died, to whom they 
were related, &c. He was noted for the keeping of poultry, in which he greatly excelled ; 
his hens, owing to his superior management, laid their eggs in the winter season ; he knew 
them from each other, and could tell their name, colour, &c, as soon as he got them in his 
hand. Although he was descended from poor parents, and had but a small pittance called 
the blind's bounty, with the benevolence of a few charitable individuals, the profits arising 
from his poultry, &c, enabled him to realize 200?. 

In 1804, died at Haughton-le-Skerne, Margaret Tate, aged 15. She " was born blind, she 
had no eyes, not even an aperture in the eye-lids." — ( Haughton Reg.) 

* The 's of the possessive case is still much omitted in the South Durham dialect. 
+ As the Penrith register truly states, there was " a sore plague in New Castle, Durrome, 
and Dernton in the yere of our lord God 1597." King's sermon at York in that year, says 
" The spring was unkind, &c, our July hath been like to February, our June even as April. 
God amend it in his mercy and stay this plague of waters." Hence probably arose the 
plague from the wet and inclement seasons and their attendant scarcity, but a contagious 
fever was prevalent in the North during all the latter years of Elizabeth. The exact na- 
ture of the Visitation of 1597 does not appear, though its very contagious nature seems 
evident from whole households being swept away, whilst in very neighbouring parishes 
where it had not found introduction, no unusual mortality occurs. Thus Darlington, Ay- 
cliffe, Merrington, Ferryhill, and Durham, adjacent to the great North road were severely 
visited, whilst Middleham and Sedgefield entirely escaped. The assizes of July 4 were 
deferred on account of the plague then raging at Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, &c. In 
that month twenty-seven burials occur in the Darlington registers, but the disease had 
probably been hovering on the town for some time, for in the February previous were 
fourteen burials, a number above the average. August is also headed "Pestis" and has 
eighty-nine burials registered. September has the awful number of one hundred and 
thirty-seven, and as if the fatal sword had cut off all the usual religious transactions of life, 
only one baptism. The first two days of October have thirteen burials, and then a fear- 
some gap exists till Nov. 30, when ordinary entries occur — the plague was stayed. During* 
this horrible period the multitudes of entries cause them to be unusually brief, and they 
are arranged in double columns. " Jane Watson torn tylars maid : Widow Watson Tilars 
wife ; Emerson [the omission of the christian name occurs abundantly] ; Fetherston 
Hodgson maid ; Hunters servant ; Christofer Bland ; the wife of Christofer Bland ; a 
woman from the house of Christofer Bland ; a sister of Grace Painter ; the maternal aunt 
(matertera) of John Dobson ; Dandy Revill ; a waiting maid (ancillula) ; a man of Bond- 
gate ; a woman of Bondgate ; Ragmarian [Marian, an old rag woman ?] ; Tomisia Groser ; 
Helen [the ?] Pedlar of Bongat ; Mabell." Could anything be shorter ? for the minister 
had ceased to put "buried" to the entries on the 12 Sep. The Darntons were completely 
swept out of the registers, and six Creathornes occur as buried. From another authority 
we learn that on the 17 Oct. " ther wer dead of the plague at Darlington 340." In Jan. and 
Feb. 1597-8 the plague ceased at Durham and Darlington, but broke out again the 15 Sep. 
the same year at the former place. " The Gate of Tongues unlocked, 1633" has " The 
Pestilence or Plague, darting and casting botches, impostumes, and carbuncles or running 
sores, suddenly and unawares waxeth strong, wasteth, destroyeth and killeth up great 
peoples and nations." 

" 1605. This yeare the plague was in Darneton, in Northallerton, and in Nesome," ( Ery- 
holme Reg.) there being buried in September, 20, and October, 22. In 1605-6. Richard 
Bowswell his wife and two daughters were all buried ; in the Aug. following there were 
31 burials, two and three out of a family ; in September, 21 ; in October, 15 ; and even this 
last number was above the average. In April, 1623, were 17 burials. The great plague of 
1636, so malignant at Barnard Castle [Sykes erroneously reads Darlington] that the Mag- 
dalene-tide fair was called down, does not appear in our registers ; but in 1644 and 1645 it 
prevailed in both towns. In Dec. here were 24 deaths ; Jan., 27 ; Feb., 49 ; March, 35 ; 
April, 18, the ordinary number bring seldom more than a dozen. The Hurworth Register- 
states " 1645. The Lord struck three and forty people here in this month of July, near all 
in this town, viz. Hurworth." 

In 1757, 27 were buried in Sep., and 29 in Oct. In 1775, " the small pox very fatal these 
three months," viz. July, 30 ; Aug., 26 ; Sep., 19 burials. It was also very virulent in 1802. 
The diarrhsea and disentery have of late been fatal in summer-time, but the Asiatic 
Cholera has never yet desolated the town. Darlington was formerly famous for agues, 
which have been eradicated by the Skerne improvements. 



232 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

1599-1600, A servant of Robert Sober by name Crooked Will - - - 1601, A poore 

child travelling from towne to towne : A base gotten child born att Carnabyes of 

Blackwell 1 602, Margery a deaf woman of D. : A poore creple traveilling toward 

Scotland died att Cockerton and buried here : A man of Northumberland called Talour 

died at Jo. Scottes and here buried 1602-3, Tristram Stainthropp, servant of 

Richard Stockdale of Lowfe Hill, Darlington 1604-5, ... Laidman, a travelling 

woman of Stapleton, par. Croft 1609, Margaret Douglasse, a traveller : William 

s. Xpofer Fawcett* of D. buried apud Heriol, 22 July 1611-12, A certain woman 

a traveller, her name being unknown, a guest of John Bolton of Blackwell 1614, 

Elizabeth, widow of D. 1616-7, A poor woman, a traveller unknown, of Black- 
well 1620, Mary (her father and mother unknown) brought up with James 

Rokesbie of D. - - - 1621, An infant dead-bornf illegitimate of Matthew Lorriman and 

Elizabeth Morton 1622, A certain destitute woman a traveller 1622-3, 

John Sigswicke a poor and destitute traveller 1623, A certain woman, a destitute 

traveller, whose name was unknown : Laurence Cathericke maximus natu% : George 
Willson (who a long time was blind) of Claie raw : A poor traveller unknown : A cer- 
tain destitute woman a traveller, who died at Blackwell : A destitute boy, a traveller, 
whose name was unknown : A certain destitute woman, a traveller, found dead in a 

house of Blackwell : A poor man with a woman, travellers§ 1624, June 6, Xpofer 

Simson of Thornabie, a traveller || . 1625, Cicily Wilkinson of Blackwell Bridge 

* A frequent name. Fawcetts Closes, part of Polam Hill farm penes R. H. Allan, esq. 

+ No " sunny-side" for it, the cold North part of the old church-garth would suffice for 
the unbaptized. In these parts few persons are interred on the back side of the church, 
from an old custom of reserving it for dead-born, unbaptized, suicides and excommunica- 
ted persons. 

J Probably a grandfather, in superiority to Senior or Major natu. 

§ A heavy year on travellers. The situation of Darlington on the Great North Road 
caused a great many chance rites. 

|| The following inquest will be read with great interest, as illustrative of the singular 
hold a common superstition had on the neighbours of Blackwell. The old man was mur- 
dered late on Saturday, they found him, rode to Aldborough, brought the murderer who 
could only just have arrived, got the deputy coroner to the spot, held the inquest and fu- 
neral, all on Sunday. The defence of going to Darlington to buy more boots on Sunday 
morning, is an odd one. "Dunelm. Com. Inquisition, die Sabati 6th June, 1624, at Bay- 
daill Bancke, within the territory of Blackwell, par. Darlington, upon sight of the body of 
Christopher Simpson, of Thornabie, co York, labourer, found murdered there. 

Whe find that Christopher Simpson, of Thornabie within the countye of Yorke, laborer, 
havinge, upon his occasions, traveled from Thornebye in Cleveland to Audborrowe in 
Richmondshire within the said countie, to Raph Simpson of the said towne of Audbor- 
rowe ; and as it appereth by the confession of the said Raphe, beinge examined befor the 
deputie and us ; [he having] before the deputie coroner and us of the jurie confessed, that 
Christopher Simpson, beinge his kinsman and frend, did upon Thursdaye last, beinge the 
third daye of June instant, come unto the house of the said Raph Simpson in Audbor- 
rowe ; and after they had conferred together, they then did agree to goe unto the house 
of one John Metcalfe, of Gunnershield in Swaudaile, the next daye, wher the said Raph 
Simpson did buy of the said John Metcalfe a littell blacke mayre, and received of the 
said John tenne shillings in moneye ; and then uppon Satterdaye they retorned into Rich- 
mond, and their Raph Simpson did buy a pair of bouts, and soe they retorned unto Aud- 
borrowe : and he saith his uncle (as he used to call him) did leve his baye mayre with 
him, beinge tyred, and that he did never see him after untill he cam to the place, beinge 
sent for wher he laye murthered. 

And by the information of Francis Rawlinge of Audborrowe, and of Thomas Wilson of 
Manfeild feild House, in Yorkshire, given unto the deputie coroner Francis Raesbie, he 
[the said Francis Rawlinge] saith, that he did, upon Satterdaye in the eveninge, see 
Christopher Simpson passe by him on foote, and saluted him, and presently after Raph 
Simpson cam rydinge upon a iittill blacke maire, and did leade a baye mayre in his hand 
after old Christopher : and Thomas Wilson he saith upon his information, that upon Sat- 
terdaye the fift day of June, laite in the eveninge, he and his wife havinge had an occation 
to walke into their grounds, which lye uppon the Hyghway side that leadeth from Man- 
field to Neather Countsclife, to see their goods, that he their espied too men cominge 
ridinge towards Countsclife ; that they one did ryde upon a littell blacke, and the other 
upon a dunnish baye, and that he of the blacke did lead the waye to him of the baye, and 
openned the gaite unto him : and he stayinge and earnestly lookinge after him, too of his 
tennants did come from Manfield unto them, to whom he said, "What men weer those did 
passe by yowe even nowe ?" whoe answered, that it was Raph Simpson of Audborrow and 



PROTESTANT. 233 

Hill 1625-6, Dorothy Fenwicke and her infant 1626-7, A certain very poor ser- 
vant commonly called Agues the traveller \yulgariter vocatf Agnes p'egr''] 16 27 

An infant whose name was unknown : [same day] the mother of the said infant - - - 

1638-9, Trothie Kirby, a poor and destitute woman 1655, Magdalene Parie, a 

stranger who dyed at Marie Shaws in Darlington 1657, Francis Hall of Worsell, 

who died in D. by a fall from a horse 1658, A boy, a stranger, which came from 

Hull 1660, A lade which fell of a horse goeing to the colles, a stranger 1662- 

3, John Stevens, a cripell whom died att Anton Scottes of D. - - - 1663, A lad which 

was slane in Carter thorne pitt 1666, Percevel Senex peregrinus 1669, Corney 

Cook of D* 1673-4, Elizabeth, wife of eye Watson 1680, A traveler which 

was at Mrs. Heighingtons died and was buried 1688, Peter and Paull, and whose 

sirname was Boyes, a Dutchman, dyed in Darlington 1694, A poor man brought 

from one constable to another died at Darlington and was buried - - - 1696, Funee 

Langdale, a stranger papist 1697, Jane Robinson, a poor passenger who dyed at 

Newton : a childe of George Thursby's of D., buried unhaptized 1698, Mary 

Dunwell of D., wliich received alms.f - - - 1701, Sep., A poor woman, a traveller : 
John Fraser, a traveller : a poor man, a traveller : a wandering begger^ 1702-3, 

an old man with him, and they passed towards Nether Countsclife ; and he with his wife 
and ten nan ts went unto their owne house- 

And Bartholmewe Harrison, of Neather Countsclife, beinge examined beforus the jurye, 
he saith, that he did meete Raph Simpson, upon Sunday morning before the sunne did 
arise, within twelve score of the place where Christopher laye murthered. But Raph 
being examined if that he had beene of that ground this day or not, he answered and said 
that he was not their ; but Harrison beinge called, he could not then denye but that he 
was their upon the ground, and said that he intended to have gone unto Darlington to have 
bought a paire of boots, and beinge within halfe a myle wanted money, as he saith, that 
would paye for a paire. And his pocketts beinge searched by the deputie coroner and 
Thomas Emmerson hye constable their was found in his pockett a corde maide of tin ouines 
[the warp ends of a weaver's web] which was bloody, and beinge demaunded to what end 
he had kept it, he answered that he did use to tye a wallet with it, and, being asked how 
the blood did com one it which was fresh and undried, he could not answer thereunto. 

Likewise William Middleton of Black well beinge examined, he saith, that he having 
chardge of cariinge him to the gaole of Durham, he the said William saith that he wished 
him to confesse his fault and aske God forgeviness, to [which] Raph Simpson replyed 
and said, " Alas it would doe yow noe good that I should confesse it, and it would undoe 
and cast me awaye." 

And lastlye, wee applyed the cord to the circle that was about the necke of the party 
murthered, and it did answer unto the cirkle ; and wee caused the said Raph to handle the 
bodye ; and upon his handling 'e and moving <e, the body did bleed both at mouth, nose 'and 
eares. 

All these circumstances and profes considered, wee the jurye, whose names are under- 
written, doe find and thinke that Raph Simpson, of Audborrowe within the countye of 
York, weaver, haith, by the instigation of the Devell or of somme secret malice, murdered 
and strangled Christopher Simpson, late of Thornabye in Cleveland within the countye of 
York, laborer, at and in a place of ground commonly called Baydayle Banckes Head, it 
being the fift day of June at night, this present year 1624. The names of us the juriors, 
Francis Cathericke, John Middleton, William X Stainsby, Thomas X Gregory, 
Thomas X Middleton, Robert X Lister, John Hodgshon, James Johnson, John x 
Hooper, Anthony X Wren, Thomas X Potter, Roberte X Dobson, Christopher X 
Dunwell, Arthur X Swainston." — (Copied from the original in the Consistory Court 
at Durham by R. H. Allan, esq.) 

" The Baydayle Banckes Tragedy" has been the subject of more than one ballad, one 
of wliich thus opens : — 

Blackwell is a lovesome vill ! and Baydayle Bankes are bright ! 
The Sabbath breeze the crystal Tees with wavelets has bedight ; 
Its oaks and elms are cool and thick, its meadows should be green T 
But there are blades of deeper shades, a bloody red is seen. 
" Come tell me, child, my Averil mild, why hairied thus you be I" — 
" Father ! there is a murthered man beneath yon greenwood tree."— 
" Ho ! neighbours mine, — here Cornforth bold, and Middleton of might, 
For there hath been a slaughter foul, at Baydayle Head last night." 

* " 1668, To Jo. Cook and Corney at severall times in there sicknes," &c. Church Ac- 
counts. 

t I have heard that some years ago nothing could be more opprobious a taunt in Dar- 
lington than the accusation of receiving parish relief. 

t A pestilence surely must have afflicted the wandering tribes in September. 

2g 



234 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Mary Jaques, a poor* fatherless and motherless ghie buried, Blackwell 1706, John, 

a wandering beggar : Mabellf - - - 1708, Magdalene Oar, a wandering beggar - - - 

1713, A certain stranger deaf and dumb£ whose name unknown 1713-4, Philis 

Unthank of D., widow, buried, found dead and supposed to be torn with dogs or swine 

1714, A certain young woman, a beggar, whose name was unknown - - - 1715, 

A certain poor woman called Margaret Brown who bore a child at Newton and died at 
Cockerton - - - 1716, Wm. Sourby, a poor servant who came to this market to be 

hired : John Lodge, heir of Rice-Carr§ house, who died very suddenly 1716-7, John 

Anderson, a poor man brought to this town by a warrant - - - 1717, — son of George 
Tweedy of D., kilPd by the fall on an house : Mabil Scafe, a poor stranger who died at 
Coldsides : Eliz. dau. of one Wilfat whose wife liv'd on Tubwell Row : a certain poor 
stranger, said to come from Lumley, who died on childbearing: David Counsellar, com- 
monly called French Doctor 1719, John Powels of Arch-Deacon-Newton, who 

died suddenly as he was going to Cockerton : John Smith of D., glover, who was killed 

by drinking Geneva : John Pearson of D., who died in one of his fits 1723, A man 

found dead at Blackwell-Moor : a certain poor stranger found almost dead in the way 
to CunscUff: Margaret Blackett and Dorothy Brookbank, sisters buried in one grave 

1724 John Wilson of D., shoemaker (commonly called Governor^ 1725, 

William Gibson, a poor blind beggar : Mr. Edward Turner of Arch-deacon-Newton, a 
Londoner: Elizabeth Beck, widow (commonly called Potter) of D. : Catherine Kelloe 

of D., buried, a papist, no office perform 'd 1726, Samuel Gramswhas, who died 

suddenly at Thomas Hall's : Jane Cawell (commonly called Scotch Jenny%) of D. 

1727, A certain poor man who fell down dead in the street : Alexander Rutherford, a 

poor cobler belonging to Gateshead 1729, Henry Henderson of Gateside** Fell, a 

poor cobler : John Raven, a poor blind man of D. : Anne Denton of D., a poor dis- 
tracted woman : a girl called Mary Simpson, but supposed to be the daughter of Mr. 

Ralph Ashmole ' of Elwick Hall if 1731, Robert Roy, a journey-man shoemaker, 

and Scotchman from Aberdeen : John, s. Joseph Argent, travelling pedlar 1733, 

Thomas Craggs of Seaton (who shot himself at Blackwell) : Mrs. Ann Woolrich, an 

old widow gentlewoman of Y).%% 1734, Mary, d. James Smith of North Froding- 

ham, Mousetrap^maker - - - 1737-8, Anne Flint, widow, a very antient woman, mother 
of Robert Flint, farmer, at Stick-a-bitch, §§ near D. 1738, Stephen Luck of D., 

* At this period the word poor is perpetually placed after the entry. 
+ Nothing else, not even " buried." 

% On New-years day, 1844, a little " dummy'''' who had been about Darlington for up- 
wards of two years, frightened his wife (to whom he had been married only three months 
before) no small, by beginning to talk and shewing symptons of good hearing. He had 
professed to be deaf and dumb for years, and so guarded was he at all times, that when he 
had been put to bed drunk he never betrayed himself. 

§ Ryscar in 1735-6. It is near Whessoe, opposite Honeypot. 

|| Nick-names are extraordinarily prevalent here, An old fortune-teller was called 
Powder-Blue, from her employing that substance in preference to the ordinary tea-leaves 
in her craft : and an aged servant of Mr. Richard Kitching, who died in 1848, was always 
Jemmy Waddleduch. 

t "To Scotch Jane Ad." Oh. ace. 1676. ** Was Gateshead famous for cobblers? 

++ The Ashmalls were staunch Romanists ; the last, Ferdinando, was a popish priest, and 
survived all his father's house, dying at the age of 104. 

XX Sister of Wm. Killinghall, esq., of Middleton-St.-George, whose will dated 1694, and 
widow of Philip Woolrich, esq. 

§^ Stickbitche, afterwards Stick-a-bitch, is the name of a large district, formerly the 
Cornforths', between the road from Blackwell to Croft, and the Tees. Stick-a-bitch proper, 
which is now the property of Mrs. Colling, was bought by Johny Wardell or Weardale, 
the miser of Ketton, who flourished some eighty or ninety years ago, and was a well-known 
character at Barnard-castle and Richmond markets when there was no mart at Darlington 
for corn. The roads were bad and carts were little known, so Johny went in procession 
with six or eight horses laden with wheat, which he tied to the whins at the end of the 
town to save the expense of bait On these occasions he was clad in a home-spun coat, 
manufactured by females on his farm, his feet were covered with rough shoes, and hoggers 
(large old stockings) covered his legs outwardly, and came to above his knees. His 



PROTESTANT. 235 

bricklayer, unfortunately killed by the falling of an arch of a cellar upon him at Cleasby 

1739, Fredswith alias Priscilla Hardy of D., widow 1740-1, Robert Hill of 

D., brought up to no business 1741, William Mason of D., a poor dumb man : a 

poor woman, whom they were carrying through the county as a vagrant, and of whom 
no more is known than that she was called in the warrant wife of John Robinson of 

Aberdeen 1743, Hugh Ewer, a travelling painter, supposed to be of Edinburgh 

1744-5, Isabel Tindal of D., a poor blind woman - - - 1746, Joseph Baines, ser- 
vant to John Hall of Whitehouse, near Sockburn, unfortunately kuTd by his cart 

1746-7, Jane Dent of D., an ancient woman out of the workhouse 1749, John 

Ryther* a stroller - - - 1750, Sarah, d. Wm. Leas, a strolling blind beggar - - - 1757, 

Alice Stephenson of D , (spinster, erased) single woman 1758, William Robson 

senior of D., bricklayer. George Waters of D., carpenter, both kill'd by the fall of an 

arch in building a cellar for Mr. John Peaset 1766, George Stedham (a convert 

to popery) of D., whitesmith 1773, Honour, s. Wm. Ptolomy 1799, Robert 

Crosier John Mensforth of D., s. Charles Mensforth gent., and his late wife Jane Surtees, 
aged 39 weeks 6 days : Samuel Gramshaw, &c, aged 16, scalded by falling into a fur- 
nace 1801, Ann Pears of Cockerton, late Cauvill of Stenton, widow of David Pears, 

flaxdresser of D., aged 101 years^ 1804, T — R — of D. batchelor, plebeian 

1807, J — M — of D., founder of metal, aged 25, suffocated by spirituous liquors 

leathern smalls, having been worn by his grandfather and father, descended with other 
heirlooms to himself, and in the service of three generations had become so thickly frescoed 
with grease and dirt, that with the assistance of an old rusty nail, they served at market 
the purpose of a Roman wax tablet in the calculation of Johny's accounts. In this queer 
trim he appeared at Stick -a-bitch sale, when the vendors disputed his credit, but Johny 
assured them that whatever he bought he would pay for, and pulled an antique stocking 
from his pocket, which, to the astonishment of all, was weighty with old golden guineas. 
His ideas of another world were gross and earthly : — "They may talk ofheevens as they will, 
but gie m.e Ketton Greens [a remarkably fertile field] which grew seven crops of oats in seven 
years" It was suggested to him that he was merely gathering monev for his heirs to 
spend, but he contentedly replied : "Beins, lads, if they hev as much plisshur in spending 
as I hev in getherin'' it, een let them be deeing." Yet though he professed to wink at future 
spendthrifts, he by no means approved of folly in his cotemporaries. He heard the hounds 
of neighbour Stephenson, of Bratferton, passing through his estates, "Beins, lads, dee ye hear 
them yonder, they are crying esh and yah" (ash and oak) ; he heard a new Lincolnshire pack 
of a louder and a differing tone, "Beins, lads, dee but hear 'em, they roar out land and all ; 
land and all!" and sure enough, Stephenson's folly kicked timber, land, and all away. — 
Wardell owned High Beaumond Hill, Aycliflfe Wood, Chapel House opposite Gainford and 
Stickabitch, but Ketton was the Milbankes'. At their tenants' dinners, his toast was ever 
loyal to his landlord :— '• I'll gie ye a worthy and respectable gentleman, Mr. Sir Ralph Mil- 
banke, esquire, hiight and baron-knight." Laugh not, Southrons, at immortal Johny; your 
own Twickenham register of 170.5 records a baronet as a barin night. When farmers want 
a handful of straw to stop a sack -hole in carrying corn, the usual command is, "Run away, 
lads, and bring me one o' Johny WardelVs clouts" or, " a Barney -Cassell wisp." His 
daughter m. the son of Bryan Harrison of Barmpton, and their sons, I am told, were great 
men at bets, associated with George IV. and spirted Johny's estates through the air. 
* It may be a failed decadent scion of the lordly house of Ryther of Harewood. 
+ A grocer, who came from Whitby. His family sprung from West. Auckland. 

J John Nichols, a labourer, died here in 1782, aged 107. — (Gent. Mag.) William Dixon, 
taylor, 1802, aged 100. Dorothy Pickney, late Blackett, widow of Jonathan Pickney, 
farmer, 1810, aged 102. Alice Turner, single woman, 1812, aged 100— (Par. Reg.) John 
Yarrow, 1814, at Polam Farm, aged 110. He was a native of Mason Dinnington, in North- 
umberland ; was a servant to a farmer near North Shields in 1715 ; and remembered as- 
sisting at the plough when the constables went into the field and demanded the horses to 
convey military stores during the rebellion. He was able the preceding summer to cut 
turf in a field, as well as to attend to many domestic and rural occupations ; his diet 
chiefly consisted of bread, milk, and cheese. — (Local Papers.) Isabella Burnsides of Bond- 
gate, 1817, aged 104. Mr. Benjamin Garnett, 1820, at Salutation, in this parish, aged 
102. — (Par. Reg.) He never experienced one day's illness, and walked about till a few 
hours before his death, and had the use of his faculties to the last.— (Local Papers-) Jane 
Rutherford of Bondgate, 1820, aged 100. Esther Parkinson, 1832, aged 103. Elizabeth 
Brocket of Blackwell, 1833, aged 101.— (Par. Reg.) Mrs. Elizabeth Hurworth, 1842, aged 
108. Mrs. Brown, 1848, aged 103.— (Local Papers.) In 1843, Serjeant Vickers's infant was 
christened here, its grandfather, grandmother, great grandfather and great grandmother 
being sponsors. 

1705, Nov. 20. Tho. Whetstone was then buried, being turned of the age of 104 years, 
and born in the parish of Darnton. — Eryholme Reg, 



236 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

1828, a person unknown, found dead in the township of Cockerton 1833, Eliza- 
beth Stross, Strous, or Strowp, Newcastle, aged 29 : Peter Medici, Darlington, aged 
13 months. 

The Churchwardens' accounts commence in 1630. 

1630. For the fountt Iron, 12c?. : for soape to the belles, 2c?. : for keeping the clocke 
and regester booke to the clarke 5s. : a locke to the Awde-warpe dore, 3c?. : to a poor 
minister, 6d. : for fetching of a slee dogg, 6c?.* There was a child left at Cockerton the 
16th of August, 1630, which was delivered to Roger Specke to keepe, and he had give' 
to buy close for the child, 2s.f: Michaell Rew for makeing the crying wench a coat, 6c?.: 
to Renold Shawe and mother, when the mother pretended to take the child [which they 
kept for the parish] away, 12c?. : to a poore child lying sick on the Armitage head, 6d. : 
to Mr. GoodwineJ a distressed schooler, 2s. 6d. : received for Rogue money for the whole 

parish, 475. 4c?.§ 163i. To a poore scholler, 12c?. : to Duke Stapleton, 4c?. [Mar- 

maduke Stapleton lived at Blackwell]: to Susanna Liddall for putting her to be an ap- 
prentice at London, 3s. Ad. : given to an Irish gentleman that had fouer children and 
had Earles Marshall\\ passe, 12d. : to Hen. Auckland dureing imprisonment, 8c?.: to 
Eliz. Jonson for cureing Ann Spence scawld head, 25. lc?., and a pound of pick [pitch] 
3c?. : to one John Browne of the city of Bristoll being blind, had by an accident of fire 
all his goods destroyed, 6d. : to Mrs. Kath. Russell, a Scoth gentlewoman, who had the 
kings majesties decretory passe and was great in distress, 15. : to Mary Rigby of Hav- 
rat [Haverford] West in Pembrokeshire in Wailes, who had the Earles of Pembroke 
passe president of Wailes who had brunt with fire about the value 900?., 15. : to Den 
Dent, 2c?. : to two distressed Irish gentlemen, 6c?. : for mending all the tops of the hie 
windowes which was cloven : for xi yeards and iij quarters of fine Scotch cloath for a 
surplesse for Mr. Hopp, 175. 7c?. : for iij yeards of a Scotch cloath for a communion 
table cloth, 35. 6c?. : to Mres Hope for making table cloth and surplesse, 20c?. ^F: for 
French grening the borders of the pulpittf* and whittening the walls : for mending the 
communion tafnty table cloth and silk for mending it, being much tome in many peeces, 
25. 6d. : for getting rushes\\ against Judges coming for struing in the church, 16c?. : to 
Wilfrey Lambe and carpenter's charges at their seccond coming, 45. : for lying downe 

* The use of sleuth or blood hounds was then much in vogue, and Denton in Northum- 
berland and Chester-le-street appear to have been the places where the owners, and prob- 
ably breeders of these animals lived. In 1592, James Watson, having escaped the clutches 
of the council of the North at York and fled northwards, was the cause of some charge to 
the Newcastle corporation, who sent men in all directions in the hope of obtaining tidings 
of the fugitive. They " paide for the chairges of three horses two days, and riding to 
Dameton and Sheiles to make enquirie for James Watson, commanded by Mr. Maior, 
6s. 6d" and amusingly enough " for a sloohound and a man which led him, to go make 
enquirie" after him. 

t At this period there were distinct overseers of the poor for the Borough and Bondgate, 
the assessments for both were delivered to the churchwardens and they were relieving 
officers. 

X Perhaps the "poure scholler, being a churchman, and wanting means totravell withall" 
relieved at Chester-le-street the same year with 4c?. 

§ 1677, " Laid on a sesse of 2c?. per oxgang for [reliefe of] prisoners in the Kind's Bench 
Marshalsey, house of correction at Durham, &c, commonly called Rogue Money."— Black- 
well Bks. 

|| Both minister and churchwardens were saddled with charitable aids to itinerants, and 
noblemen granted passes in the manner of briefs. 

•If " Item, to Mris Hope upon Set. Paules day for washing surplesses, 2s." Both she and 
her successor Mrs. Bell received an annual sum for this office, which with the making gives 
us an agreeable idea of the plain useful parson's wives of those times. The said garments 
are called in the accounts surpclothes,surplets, &c. 

** There are other charges for wood for the Pulpit cover, and for iron, lead, &c, for 
pulpit. 

ft Generally resshes, and an annual affair till about 1660. 1634, To Francis Jobber for 
getting of flaggs 12s., Item for leading of them 36s., Item for dressing them and lieingthem 
and the fioore 21. 6s. The reason of such heavy expenses does not appear. 



PROTESTANT. 237 

and sowdering of vj webbs of leads which was tome up with a violent and boysterous 
wi?id, 4s. -2d. : for the great bell head yoake, being about xxvj inches square, and almost 
ij yeards long, and for brining of it from Elme Parke being sixtene myles, xv5. : for 
Quenes prayer, 4d. : to Mr. Henry Barnes clarke of Bradley Burne forge for new bel- 
clapper which weyeth v stones and iij lb. at ij ob. (\) p. lb., 155. 2\d. : given to Mr. 
Windfeild a preacher who preached three sermons, 3s. 4d. [An assessment follows, made 
by " pound, poole, and gaits of BranMnmoore"] [-'Sic vale" end these accounts.] -- - - 
1632. A new fine pulpit cloth of velvit, with a large silk fringe, which cost 205. : Reed, 
of Charles Husband [the preceding warden] monye belongyng to the churche, 445, 
whearofther was 25. in farthynges : for one shatcliell [bag] to put the churche bookes in 
12c?. : for wrytyng a letter to the bell caster and sendyng yt to Durham, 20<#. : to a poor 
preacher, 12c?.*: spent at Raufe Hutton Court, 25. 4d. : for dressing the churche loftes 

and the churche styll 1633. Rec. for wine silver of all the parishe,f 315. : to the 

bell founder for casting the greate bell anewe, ll?.* : spent the same night the bell was 
casten upon the bell founder and the woorkmen, 75. : for a quart of secke to Mr. Arch- 
deacon [at his visitation] 12 d, : for two flaggons and a bason, 335. 1634. To John 

Dennis for writinge of sentences in the church, 21. 16s. 8c?. : to the ringers upon the 
fift day of November, 35. : for a sacke of coales and a tar barrell, I6d. [the first occur- 
rence of such a custom, which became annual§] : for a pottle of secke to Mr. Chanclour 
and others, 25. : our charges when we went to make oath upon the presentment for 
recusantes goods and lands, 45. : George Langstraffe for washing \\ the organs and earring 
the greate bell tongue to Black well and bringing it back againe, 6d. : to a poore schol- 

ler, 6d. : a quart of secke for Mr. VincentH 1635. Por making the newe stalls, 

9? 6c?. : to three Irish people which weare in want, 6d. : to Charles Husband for one ell 
of his best blacke stuffe for making up the cushen, and one peniworth of threade, 25. 7d: 
to Francis Emmerson for three ounces and a halfe of sillce fringe and buttons, 10s. : 
John Bennet for loope lace and silke to the pulpit cloth and woorkmanshipp, 12c?. : a 
quare of paper for writing, 4c?. - - - 1636. Tow bookes for the fast, 2s. : an houre 
glasse** and a standarde, 2s. 2d. : a quart of wine to Mr. Bullocke in this towne, 12d. 

1637. George Langstafe for taking away the ould stalls, 6d. : to the ringers when 

the Bishop went by to London, 25. 3d. : Mary Nicholson placead in first seat in the 
fourth stall from the font on the south alley because it was hir mother's, hir grandmo- 
ther's, and hir great grandmother's, and paid for it 6c?.ff 1638. To the ringers 

when the buship of Durham caime from London. 25. : one gallon of brunt wyne which 

* The clergy were evidently on a miserably low footing throughout the 17th century. 

t This money fell sadly short of the requirements, for twenty-two gallons at a cost of 
21. 18s. were consumed this year at the communions. 

t Besides, the cost of 10076s. of mettall at 8d. ; lOOlbs. at l\d. ; 75lbs. at Id-, and 2Ubs. of 
pewther at \\d. came to 10?. 3s. 4d. The casters used to come from Durham and do there 
work here, probably to save carriage, a matter of great difficulty on the bad roads of the 
period. 

§ Discontinued from 1653 to 1660. 

|| Misprinted valuing in Surtees. There is a tradition that our organs were purchased 
for Sedgefield church and carried thither, but the present instrument there is of much 
later date. After a long reign of fiddles and pitchpipes, a 500?. organ by Flight and Robson 
was procured for Darlington in 1820 by subscription. Mr G. J. Crossley performs on this 
remarkably sweet instrument, which is placed on the roodscreen. 

I - See p. 222. 

** For the pulpit. Gay's parson " spoke the hour-glass in her praise quite out." It 
would be placed in the standarde or frame. 

++ On St. Paul's day the churchwardens let the stalls to persons wanting seats- They 
only let a single "room" or seat to each person, and a small fee was exacted . At the death 
of an individual, his representative had to be readmitted, and although hereditary claims 
were respected, they did not pass as a right. The members of several families would sit in 
one pew, and even where a family had erected a stall, seats to other parties were let by the 
wardens. The allottee sat till change or death. Before the century was out the assign- 
ment of pews were in vogue, and the expression " by consent of the churchwardens" grad- 
ually ceased 



238 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

wee gave to Mr. Richinson and the rist of the woorkcmen when they had done there 
woorke consarning the pillar and frame, 45. ; in InJcelt [coarse tape] for sirp clothes 
to Mr. Hope, Id. ; to a ponre gentelman which had bene a solger in the lowe cuntres, Is. : 
John Dennes for penting the dyell, 1/. Is. 4c?. : for penting the hack of the pulpit, Ad. : 
given more to him [George Haton, the window mender] in regarde of the greate wynds 

which did great hurts, 4s. 1639. Paid for John Sygsworth child when he was at 

the Leager, 5s. : paid for Mr. Clapperton when he came to the towne and when he went 
to Auckland to me lord, 20c?; : for all our fower dinners and beere upon Easter tewes- 
day * 5s. : for a poore sicke soldyer at Will. Boyes house and for convaying him out of 
towne, 2s : for Mr. Thompson that preached the forenoon and afternoone for a quart of 
sack, 14c?.f : for Mr. Scott at Buhner Prescots when he preached, 20c?. : to a poore min- 
nister wife that was robed, 2s. : to a poore minnister that Mr. Clapperton sent, Is. : for 

our vaages [see p. 144] to Auckland at severall tymes, 85. 1643. Paid old Elstoob 

besides the pore stocke and bason, Is. 4c?. : for one quart off wine when Mr. Doughty 
preached, 10c?. : for one quart wine and one pinte sacke when an other gentleman 

preached which lay att Georg Stevesons, Is. 8c?. 1646. To the ringers on the 

thank esgiveing day, 2s. : George LongstafT for keeping the clock and ringing at five a 

clock and eight, 13s. 4c?. 1648. To Irish women in May last, Is. 6c?. : to three 

companies of Irish, Is. : for Mr. Couper^ Bedrome for twelve weekes, 4s. : to a minister 
with a passe, Is. - - - 1649. To a poore man travelling from Lincolne to Richmond 
with one man to guide Mm and three children, 6c?. : for pounder haver [oats] for Howden, 

Is. 5c?. 1650. Six quarts of sacke to the minister that preached when we had not 

a minister, 9s. 1651. A quart of sacke to preaching ministers, Is. 6c?. - - - 1653. 

To Jo. Smith's son for setting of Jenet Wards legg, 5s. : to Geo. Pary for canyinge 
him to the wells,§ 2s. : to a poore distressed Irish woman and seven children, Is. 6d. : 
for a primer to a poore hoy, 4c?. : for Edw. Holmes a poore scholler att the petit school 
for halfe a yeares teachinge, 3s. 3c?. : to Widdow Ward for teaching three poore children 

three weeks, 9c?. 1654. To Mr. Johnson for preaching one Sunday in sacke, Is. : 

to a stranger that preached one Sunday for a pinte of sacke, Is. : to Alley Gibbon for 
keeping Ruddes woman, 4s. : for a new bell rope to John Bell, 10s. : to Willm Priscot 

for a quire of paper, 6c?. : to the lasse which went to Newcastle, 7s. 6d. 1655. My 

horsehire and my charges to Durham to give in a presentment for recusants, 2s. 6d. : 
George Langstraffe for earring the money which was collected for the protestants in 
France to a Justice, 6c?. ; John Woodmas for water \\ for Roger Jewet, 1?. 3s. 6c?. : Ous- 
wald Fawcit wife for her paynes and charges in curing Roger Jewet, 5s. : leyd out for 
an accidence for a poor boy, 6c?. - - - 1656. Receaved of the arears of the sesse for the 
Inkle Stock, 21. 13s. 4c?. : for a pint of wyne and a pint of sack when Mr. Jesse preached, 
Is. 6d. : a poore widow which had a lose by fyer, Is. ; to widow Lumley for hir releafe 

* The day of election of wardens. 

+ Thompson took up his abode here. In 1644-5, Is. Id. was paid for the puritanical 
" directory" for him, and in 1646 and the following year or two, an annual charge of 3s. 4d. 
for his [very bad] keeping of the regerstur or redgester, in lieu of poor Henry Carter the 
clerk, In 1647 there was "more given to Mr. Thomson in regaird of his great necessitie, 
6s. 8c?.," and in the same year, after copious potations of " wine and beare" had been ad- 
ministered to this poor minister, and others that preached here, there was 5s. " more given 
to Mr. Thompson when he laid sicke." 

X The Coup of the register (p. 223) and evidently a very poor minister, there being a 
number of items for his relief. 

§ Were these the Croft wells, or some miraculous spa further off? "The sulphur well 
springing in a rich piece of ground cal'd the stinking pitts" at Croft was in fame for dis- 
eases of animals, about 1620, but was first made convenient for human votaries by Sir Wm. 
Chaytor, about 1670. After that a son of Mrs. Lodge, of Darlington, who had been blind 
several years by humours in his eyes, which had cost her in doctors about 10?., after ten 
times bathing, became quite well. " Old Mr. Middleton, of Blackwell," was also cured of 
the gravel by it. — (MS. penes Chaytor f am. Dated 1714.) 

|| Was this the Croft water again ? It was sold in flasks at the metropolis in 1713 at Is. 
each. It will be observed that the sum paid by the wardens is a high one. 



PROTESTANT. 239 

and for watching of hir in Mr distraction, 2s. 6d. - - - 1657. Cloath to the pulpit cod* 
6s. 8d. : to the taylor for mending the cod and leather for the inner lineing to it, Is. 6d. 

1658. A shett to Bridgwells lade to winde him in, Is. 4d. : two pints of sacke and 

a pint of clarett sent to tow minesters which did preach heare, 2s. 5d. : for righting and 
macken up our acounts, 4?. : 1659. Reced. of Tho. Lackenby for travelling on the lords 
day, 2s. : of the brick man for his boy trangressin the lords day, Is. : pd. with Grate 
Dan, son to Stockdayle when he was putte an aprentice, 205. : Longstaff for dressing 
the church after the Gaurdsf (kept, erased) in it, 2s. - - - 1660. To a distressed min- 
ester with a briefe, 6d. : for the booke of Common Prayer, 12s. : paid the ringers at the 
coronation day and bear, 7s. : given to the Docktor for his paines in offitiatinge the place 

and taking paines att severall times, II. 1661. Reed, from Sir Wm. Blakestone against 

Christmas, 21. : pd att seaverall times in beare when Mr. Steward preatched, Is. 4c?. : 
to an old man which had bene att the sessions being in wantt, 6c?. : a pinte of sack 
when Mr. Bell preached, Is. : a persons [parson's] wiffe in distresse, Is. : for glazeing- 
the great winder, 16s. 6d. : for afoxe head James Steed, \s.% : to Tho. Clarvis being sick 
att severall times, 2s. Id. : for makeing the table cloth and scouring the pewther§ for the 

church, 6d. : pd. for officeiateing the place for preaching nighe four months, 61. 

1662. To five souldiers that came with a passe to all churchwardens for releife, Is : 
John Taylor to help to heale his legg, 6d. : for makeing a clot to the pulpit, 6c?.: bringing 
two loads of stones to the font, 16s. 8c?. : to the mayson for the stones and setting up the 
font, 21. 18s. 8c?. : for the Letany seat, 4s. 6d. : to a poore man that had beene in Turky, 

Ad. 1663. For Leonard Pilkington charge to t ranspeth\\ and Ferryhill to enquire 

for workemen to make a font cover, 3s. 6c?., Item, when Robert Bamlet and Bryan 
Heavysides came over, and because of their deareness we could not agree with them, they 
had for their charges 6s. : whins to the church wall, Is. : a rope to the watch worke of the 
cloche, 8s. 6c?. : wine to doctor Stewart when he preached, 2s. : John Cooke for wryting 
the returne of the nonsolvents before Mr. Gerard at Cockerton, Is. 6c?. : to Matthew 
Towley [the bell caster] for his charges when he stayed till he was agreed with, 15s.1T: for 
beere when Mr. Gerrard was present, Is. : for earring the bells from the church doore 
to the forge, 3s. 6c?. - - - 1664. For ringing on the kings birthday to Chr. Wood to 

pay the ringers before Mr. Gerrard, 9s : for a tarr barrell and coales then, 2s. 4c?. 

1665. For the fast day booke, 2s. 6c?. : for coales and a tarr barrel the third of June, 

Is. 6d. 1666. For mending the great chist and poor box, 3s. 6c?. : for ringing one 

night when order [the school orders ?] came from my lord, 5s., for drink and candles 
that night, 10c?. : one quart of sack bestowed on Mr. Jellett when he preached, 2s. 4c?. : 
more bestowed on him at Ralph Collings when Mr. Bell was there, Is. 8c?. : Thomas 
Newbey Henry Richardson charges to Aukland to appear before my Lord upon Mr. 

Bells promotion, 5s. 1667. For plaistering or beamfilling throughout the whole 

outside of the church, 13s. 4c?. 1669. For lousing us from good behavor, 14s. 4c?** 

* In a former year called cood, i.e. a cushion. 

+ Before this entry turned up, a tradition of republican soldiers having quartered them- 
selves in the church was familiar to me. 

% A similar item occurs in 1675, 1686, 1688, &c. The Reynard breed were, like the 
wolves of Edgar's time, under a ban- 

§ The very mediocre communion vessels of the day. 
|| Where Cosin was fitting up the church with the most gorgeous oak work. 

U A heavy sum, bespeaking potent potations to turn the screw. The wardens had pre- 
viously buckled up their coinage by "beere at our generall meeting when the worke for 
the bells was agreed upon." 

** In the preceding year there was a civil war between the Darlington wardens, Thomas 
Blakiston and Robert Colthirst, two " gentlemen," and those for Cockerton and Blackwell, 
plain John Dennys the T)ainter of the kings amies, and Wm. Cornforth the yeoman. 
Blakiston would only give credit to Cornforth for )l. 16s. received from him for Blackwell 
collection, " but there was xxvs. more," says the yeoman, he having paid " to Mr. Thomas 
Blakiston at Jo. Hall's 36s. Item to him at Mr. Finleyes 25s. which is not acknowledg." 
The gentleman had evidently forgotten his transactions in his cups, and the dispute van so 
high, that the two aristocrats would not entor their accounts ; the countrymen had to 
pe:ition the bishop and archdeacon against "Mr. Coultus and Mr. Blakiston our partners 



210 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

- - - 1670. To Will. Bellwood with young Glarfax, 11. 5s. : to the lame dochter for 
curing Duke Willson of the evell, 4s. 6c?.*: for a bear [bier] cover, 35. 6c?. : for a quart 
of wine for parson Raine, Is. : collected upon a breefe for a fire in the towne of Wol- 
singham, 5s. 5d. : do. upon a peticion for one John Ridall of Northumberland, 3s. 3{d. 

1671. To Mr. Bell for burying Tho. Glarfax, lid. 1672. May 11th. To the 

ringers for ringing when the bishopp came from London, 4s. 6d, : for making one new 

cover for the beere and one new side and bars for the bere, 5s. 1673. Given Jane 

Girlington being necesesitated, Is. [she kept a pauper for the parish] : bestowed of Mr. 
Sissons/or curtiesies received, 3.?. 8d. : ringers upon proclameing the peace, 5s. : for a 
tar barrell and coales, Is. 8d. : for helpe for Wharington lass her heareing, Is. - - 1674. 
George Heddon surveyor for Grainge Close : James Cook for three pettecotes, 8s. : col- 
lected or gathered upon a breif about Oxford a very great losse by fire, amounting to 
the summe of 1700/s'. and upwardes, 8s. 5d. ob. one farthing. It was at Bisciter within 

ten miles of Oxford 1675. Given a poore boye for carrying the certificate for 

freeing the poore from hearth money, [an old church due] Id. : to three seamen that had 
lost their shipp they haveing a strong pass from the Justices of peace besides being- 
objects of charity, 6d. : to a disstressed captaine, his wife and child, Is., haveing a cer- 
tificate from as well severall justices in this countye as others and goeing to the king, 
being all night in towne : for a winding sheet for old Widdow Longstafe, Is. 6c?. : to 
two destressed men that came out of the hides, 6c?. : for a quart of clarrett when Mr. 
Nevell preached, Is. : for two quarts of clarret for comunicants, 2s. : to two going for 

tJie Icings tutch, Id. 1676. Wm. Clervax wynding sheet, Is. 6d. 1677. Reed. 

" from the old churchwardens 3s. 9c?., Item, of them one cojiper shilling : to John 
Dennis senior for writting the lords prayer and creed in capitall letrs draweing colloring 
of the frams and gild, 16s. : for drawing our presentments and attending the justices att 
the petty sessions att Haughton, 2s. : for a quarte of seek for the minister that came from 
Westmerland, 2s. 6c?. : to Cap tan Humble Read which had a pas with the kings broade 
seal, 2s. 3c?. : paid for a quaher that we had prisoner a night, to carry before Sir Henery 
Calverley, Is. : two new prayer books for the publicke fast, 5s. : for goeing to the private 

sessions att Haughton, Is. : for two vages to Durham att the visitations, 8s. 1678. 

For paper when wee went about with St. Pauls breife, lc?. : given the Arch Bpp. of 
Sames [Samos] in Greece, haveing a comic'on from the king, 5s.f: Dorothy Apleby for 

keeping Tho. Marrsliall's w — e and bastard, 7s. 1680. For sealeing where Thomas 

Stainsby broh downe, Is. 6c?. : for making poore box : Hickson and Wright for earring 
Isabell Monerd%from my dore, 2d. : to a poore lame shoulder who had a pass, 6c?. : for a 
coat for Beedyrll, 6s. 9c?. : to Henry Walker kaptaine of a merchantt man who had a 
passe from Sir Ro: Claijton and Ld. Mayr of London, 2s. 6c?. : to a gentelwon who her 

husbond burnt in lyrland, Is. 1682. To two sea wrecked gentlemen, Is. 6c?, : when 

Mr. Teamont preached, for a bottle of wine, ls.§ 1683. Mrs. Bell for exchangeing 

one of the communion flaggons, Is. 8c?. : Allowed Thom. Windall for the buryall of 
Jack's child, 2s. 8c?. - - - 1684. To a pilot whose ship was cast away upon the Irish 

not delivering the church booke church evidences and spale," and when they did get the 
booke, the writer could only say " 1 leave the rest for Mr. Blakston to enter," which he 
partly did. The consequence seems to have been a recognizance for the whole parish to 
keep the peace, but the wardens of 1669 went "'to gitt the church booke," after various 
meetings " about the booke," and were loused. 

* The cure was skin deep. " 1672, Lanstafe for making duck Wilson grave, 4c?." 

+ Some more of these wandering Greeks and Armenians who "used their mitre for a 
beggar's cap," occur in other church accounts of the county. 

$ A troublesome woman. The same item occurs again, and one for her keep. 

§ In the ensuing year of office, 1683-4, communion was celebrated at Pentecost, three 
bottles, two loaves ; Midsummer, three bottles, two loaves ; Michaelmas, two bottles, one 
l oa f ;— (Christmas ?) one bottle, one loaf ; Sunday before Easter, two bottles, two loaves : 
Good Friday, two bottles and one pint, two loaves ; Saturnday before Easter, one bottle, 
one loaf ; Easterday, seven bottles, five loaves ; Sunday after Easter, five bottles, three 
loaves. 



PROTESTANT. 241 

coast, 6c?. : to the parsons order, given to a man both deafe and dum oeing sent from 

minister to minister to London, Qd. 1685, To the ploomar in ale when wee first 

mett with him, Is. : to an ould distressed minister, Qd. 1686, Ralph Coats for 

making the clock, 13/. : to a captaine from France with a pass, Is. 1688, To a 

travilling schoolemaster with a strong passe, Is. : to a disbanded officer in Ireland, 1.9. : 
at the bone fire on kings birth-day, Is. Qd. : to Mr. Ansells sonn whose father was taken 
prisoner by the Turks, towards his ransome, 4s. : spent at drawing up the certificate 
for reading dayly prayre and the new prayres for the king, Qd. : a load of coles and 

tarr-barrells on corronation day, 2s. lOd. 1680, Receved John Milton child lare- 

stall, Is. 8d. : linging the 11th Aprill, lis. : tarr-barrll and coals, 2s. 1690, A 

botle of Hock to Parson Tang* when he preached, 2s. : a botle of wine to Mr Batty, a 
Lancashire minester, when he preached, Is. Qd., more given him being in destress, Is. 
- - - 1691, To the ringers for the victory of takeing Limerick, and a tar-barrell, 6s. 8d.: 
when the Dean of Durham preached here, spent in a treat with him, 3s. Qd. : to a par- 
son wife goeing to London with a pass, Qd. : for a winding sheet for a pooer begger 
womans child, Is. 2d. : for ringing for the victory at sea and ale to the ringers, 8s. 2d. : 
a strainger that preacht, a dozin of ale, Is. : to the parson of Bppton when he preached, 
one dozin of ale, Is. : to Thomas Lainge for keeping and Ij/eing the plank at the Bridge 
end when the water is out, and takeing it upp and ivashing and wRisriNGf itt, Is. — - 
1692, Dec. 3, For a fox head, Is. : Feb 22, to Widd. Tindal lying in, Is. : March 3, 
to the same, Is. : Apr. 7, to the ringers when My Lord Lumbly was here, 10s. : brief 

collected for the Christians in slavery in Turkey, 1/. 18s. 2d. 1693, A collection 

made for Mr. Danll. Thwaites, minister, who preached twice that day. 1694, To 

Henery Langstaffe for carrag of the bell, 1/. Is., for taking down the great bell, wages 
and ale, 10s., for hanging her up, in ale and wages, 10s. : for prayer books when 

we got out of place, 5s. : for tolling the great bell the fifth of March, Is. 

1767, To Robert Preston for burying the Human Bones found in Nelson's Garth + 4d. 
1768, To usual allowance for keeping this account 5s. 1769, To Geo. John- 
son for a Scutcheon to a lock to Vestry Box, Is. 1770, To Richard Robson for 

stopping Rat-holes in the church 1772, Ordered that the churchwardens do attend 

Mrs. Eden and Miss Allan, and return them thanks in the name of the whole parish for 
their present (on Good Friday last) of two large silver flaggons for the use of the Com- 
munion Table in this church.§ - - - 1771, A bottle of wine for Mr. Addinson when 

* Rector of Brancepeth for thirty years. See Tonge ped. in Surtees, iv., 4. 

+ It may be icrming ; however, the word is written in a larger hand than the rest of the 
item, and I suspect that old Richard Hilton, the churchwarden, was perpetrating a joke. 

t 4 July, 1767. As some workmen were digging In a field belonging to the town of Dar- 
lington, in order to lay the foundation of a house, they discovered the skeleton of a man. 
The bones were remarkably large, and by the position they were found in, it is imagined 
the body had been buried in the earth quite doubled. — Gillespifs Coll. 

§ The flaggons cost 55?. 19s. 6d., and their engraving 11. Is. On their sides, /. H. S. On 
their bottoms, Vasum sacrce Mensce Deo et Ecclesice S. Cuthberti in Darlington Humille 
offer unt Hanna Eden et Anna Allan, Anno Domini \712. The rest of the plate com- 
prises a cup and two patens. On the side of the cnp J. H. S., encircled with, Pocidum 
Benedictionis, cui benedicimus, nonne Sanguinis Christi est ? On the rim of its lid, Dar- 
lington Church, 1775. Donum Parochianorum de Darlington, A. D. 1775. Under its 
bottom, Hodgson Tlwrnhill, Thomas Pickering, Gubernatores. On the bottom of each 
plate /. H. S., encircled with, Panis quern frangimus, nonne Communio Corporis Christi 
est ? quoniam units est Panis, unum Corpus nos qui multi sumus, nam omnes ex uno Mo 
Pane participamits. On the outside of the bottom, Donum Parochianorum de Darlington, 
A. D. 1775. Hodgson Thornhill, Thomas Pickering, Gubernatores. 

In a letter to J. Brough Taylor, esq., Surtees says in reference to some old Archdeacon's 
visitations of the commencement of the 17th cent., " There's another very odd story about 
a man at Darlington that could not take the communion, because he did not feel easy in his 
mind that he was in charity with all men, and after trying till another Sunday he said 
" he was not in charity nor noe man should make him in charitie with Franck Oswold and 
Will Hewatson, till they paid him his demands for otes and ended all matters, &c, and 
being advised, &c, he did groon outrageously and fell sick upont, and would not be any 
way persuaded — Dismissed, as it seems they did not know what to do with him. These 

2h 



242 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

preach, 2s.*; A Hud for Mr. Watkin when maid Master of Arts 11. 175. 2d. ; Aug. 18, 

To calling down Cockerton feast,f2<i : To Robert Hunter for teaching — Jackson 

sum of Lend Jackson to play 50 tunes upon the Violin 11. Is. ; to a new violin for him 

185. 1772, To Postage of a letter and bill with Lade Daw Dole, % 6d. ; seling and 

plaistering belfray 101. 195. 1773, George Feetham cunstable attending to loke 

after the gamesters 15. 1778, Collected for Kirkburton inundation from house to 

house, 21. 17s. 5d. ; collected by the quakers for do. 45. 6d. 1783, To a strainger 

sick, 25. 1784, Mr. Downey for one of the Sentonces ll.§ 1791, For calling 

churchyard 2d. 1791, Building Churchyard wall, 511. 9s. 1799, || Postage 

Birmingham letter with rules for soup society 15. 1800, Peid Win. Askew con- 
stable for attending the churchwardens at the churchyard, town, and places adjacent, to 
prevent Sabath brecking, gameing, &c, the last year. Fifty-two Sundays at 6d. p. 

Sunday, 11. 6s. ; An umbrellaf for Mr. Topham, I65. 1802, To Robert Walters 

for Lock to Stocks, lOd .** 1803, Bellman for calls suppressing disorder on Easter 

Sunday, Ls.tt; Nov. Vinegar for stoving the church 15. 3d. - - - 1804, Sope and Black 

Lead for momiments 1811, May 27, Summonsing four boys for transgression on 

Sundays and one put in Stocks ; To paid for destroying vermin 4c?. 1814, Allow- 
ance, £$c. to Church Pillars 21. ; Removing Pillars and Walls building 11. 16s. Ad. 

1818, George Ornsby Chaisehire to sing deeds [of extra burial ground] 11. 16s. 

1819, Sand to clean church 6s. 1826, June 27,Jj: Constables attending Black well 

Feast 105. 1827, J. Spark watching churchyard 35. 1829, Tho. Todhunter's 

bill for Lamp posts in the Churchyard, should have been paid by the Commissioners but 

refused, 21. 17s. 6d. 1830, May 25, Wine and Biskets 75. 8d., Glases at Mr. Piggs 

on account of the Bishop of Chester 25. ; Nov., Relief to a poor family on travel 
25. 9d. ; Men getting up trees and gathering stones Churchyard 45. 6d. ; Men watching 
the trees in churchyard 25. ; John Rutherford for mending holes in several graves, 45. §§ 

things really give one a very odd idea of the times and of the strange inquisitorial extent 
of the Spiritual Court, about the cleanly wight of the fireside at Darlington, and the work- 
ings of this other man's conscience, and Mr. Killinghall's kitchen wench, and some 'drunk- 
er ds and slacke comers to churche' at Bp. Midleham 1618. — My father remembered old 
Thompson, vicar of Middleham, fining absentees for ?> Sundays together one shilling." 

The cleanly wight was one Wm. Johnson who " (inter pocula) in Willm. Hunsdens of 
Darlington his house ligulas [pointes] suas laxabat et braccas suas dimittebat before some 
gentlemen and others aud there offered alvum exonerare by the fire, which he partly ef- 
fected before he could be stopped in p'sence of all the company as is informed by the said 
William Hunsdens his wife greatly therwith offended." On the 20th Sep., 1600, he ap- 
peared, and having been gravely admonished by the archdeaconry official in the Spiritual 
Court, was so dismissed. 

* Similar items for various preachers perpetually occur. 

-f A series of local feasts begin the last Sunday in July at Neasham, and proceed, I think, 
in the following order ; Hurworth, Aldbrough, Stapleton and Blackwell, Cockerton, 
Haughton, Harrogate and Burdon, Sadberge and Coatham, Brafferton, Aycliffe. Duck- 
hunting, racing, drinking, banquetting and all sorts of secular sports are the order of 
the day, on the Sabbath and a day or two afterwards. Redworth hopping occurs as soon 
as the hay is won, when there is a run upon the fog. 

X Lady Day Dole ? Lady Calverley's charity. 
§ There are some modern panels with sentences of scripture in different parts of the 
church. || Sunday Schools are mentioned this year. 

% For funerals. The said umbrella lasted seven years. 

** The stocks, once the terror of Sunday sinners, repose from their labours in the sex- 
ton's closet in the church. " Jane Buttrey of Darlington, was seet in the Stoxe at Crofte, 
and was whipte out of the Towne the 8 day of Jan. 1672." Croft Par. Reg. " 1657, For 
mending the iron of the stockes, 8d. 1685, To Rich. Fawcett which was arreare for stocks 
makeing, \s. 6d." — Blackwell Bks. 

t+ In south Durham the brave take off the shoes of the fair, and demand a ransom, from 
twelve at noon on Easter Sunday to the same time on Monday, when the lasses whisk off 
the laddies' hats in similar fashion for twenty-four hours- 

XX This feast is much later in the year. 

§5 About the time of the Burkite disclosures, an artist was travelling by the Courier 
coach from Newcastle to Darlington in company with his rather large and newly made 
packing case, which carried with it the strong rozeny smell of newly-dressed deal ; there 



PROTESTANT. 243 

1831, Saxon's [Sexton's] son for catching mice in the church 2s. 1833, Feb. 

12, Distributing bills on Church Robery 2s. 1836, Removing stone coffin. 6s. 

The cemetery of St. Cuthberts contains two acres and thirty-eight perches, 
exclusive of the church, and from 1798 to 1847, eight thousand four hun- 
dred and sixty-three persons were buried in it. The varying nature of its 
soil encourages decomposition, but it sadly wants closing for twenty years 
at least. The following inscriptions, with others scattered among the pedi- 
grees, &c, occur in the church and churchyard. 

North Transept.] — Here lieth the Body of Hannah, the wife of John Scafe, who 
died the 19th of January, 1766, in the 3...th year of her age much and deservedly la- 
mented. Also James [?] their son who died May 16th, 1762, an infant. 

South Transept.] — J. G. 

In a vault, in the churchyard, lie the remains of William Allison, surgeon, who died 
Sepr. 6th, 1832, aged 70 years. And those of his widow, Hannah Allison, who died 
March 7th, 1833, aged 78 years. Also those of their grandchildren, the sons of W. J. 
Allison, of Ilford, Essex, viz. John Allison, who died Feby. 5th, 1820, aged 1 year and 
4 months ; and William Dixon Allison, who died March 12th, 1820, aged 2 years and 5 
months. Likewise, those of Harriet Hodgshon, the sister of Hannah Allison, and relict 
of the late Richd. Hodgshon, surgeon, of this place, who was buried June 2nd, 1837, 
aged 67 years. 

Sacred to the memory of Robert Botcherby, who died July the 8th, 1838, aged 47 
years. This tablet was erected by his affectionate wife.*" 

Chancel.] — Near this place lies the body of John Trotter, M. D.,t an honest and 
humane man, who during a residence of twenty-three years in Darlington practiced 
medicine with reputation and success. He departed this life Feb. 8th, 1784, aged 53, 

[John] Trotter, M.D., 1784. [On slab beneath last.] 

were also some hampers of " Newcastle salmon" and sundry old greasy traces on the coach. 
As evening deepened and all earthly scents grew powerful, the combined savours drew 
many a mysterious glance from the " outsiders," who commenced to whisper, then to speak 
to the guard, who mounting snuffed about with officious activity ; the upshot being that 
horror was depicted on every face. At last a clergyman stood up and pointing ominously 
to the suspected package asked the artist '' Is that your box V " Yes." " There is a very 
offensive smell from, it, Sir." And down he sat. It was needless to hint at the fish ham- 
pers, the dead body was in that box, and all shrunk from the Besurrection-man. When the 
coach stopped at the Cleaver, in Skinnergate, the supposed villain ordered great care in 
lowering his horrid charge, and the clergyman, whose suspicions were confirmed, de- 
manded on behalf of the whole passengers that the box should be opened. The apple-faced 
host laughed outright ; " The luggage of a passenger I have known all my life shan't be 
touched." But the " whole coach" was peremptory, and the owner, to satisfy the inquisi- 
tive multitude, unlocked the box. As the lid turned on its hinges, a crack and a screach was 
heard ; all fell back in breathless anticipation of the horrid exhibition, many quitted the 
room, and a lady fainted away. They looked again, and the most divine face that human 
genius could pourtray burst upon them. It was the Madonna from the hand of Raphael ! 
rich in piety, innocence, and perfect beauty, which with great care the owner had brought 
from Italy. The clergyman apologized, the lady knelt (as a good Roman-Catholic should 
do), and all were enthralled by so wondrous a sight. 

* Churchyard.] — " Erected in memory of Eliza Botcherby, daughter of Robert and 
Anna Botcherby. who died Feby. 10th, 1826, aged 10 months. Also of Bobert Clark Botch- 
erby, their son, who died June 5th, 1830, aged 18 months." 

South Aisle.] — In memory of Thomas Clark, who lays interred on the South side of 
this churchyard, died September 18th, 1829, aged 75. 

Sacred to the memory of Bobert Botcherby, who died Jany. 15th, 1821, aged 76 years, and 
lies inter'd on the West side of this churchyard. Also of Elizabeth Botcherby, widow of 
the above Robert Botcherby, who died October 28th, 1835, aged 78 years. 

t Father of John Trotter, esq., of Haughton-le-Skerne and Staindrop, who married the 
heiress of Dale, and had issue John Trotter, esq., M.D., Durham ; George Dale Trotter, 
esq., county treasurer ; William Trotter, esq., Bishop- Auckland ; Charles Trotter, esq., 
surgeon, Stockton, &c. 



244 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Here lies interred the body of James Raisbeck, late alderman of Stockton, who de- 
parted this life April the 30th, 1778, aged 78 years.* 

Nave.] — To the memory of Ralph Tunstall, who died April the 21st, 1788, aged 80 
years. He was an affectionate husband, a sincere friend, and a kind master. Also 
Mary Tunstall, widow of the above Ralph Tunstall, who died July the 8th, 1803, aged 
88. Thomasin Laurence died 13th April, 1805, aged 82. 

At the Foot of this Pillar lies Jnterr'd Charles Dalton Foord son of Chariest and 
Mary Foord of London. 

All those accomplishments he had acquir'd 
For which a youth is valu'd and admir'd. 
In Witt and Learning he supremely shone, 
For at his age he was excell'd by none. 
At Westminster he daily did improve, 
And merited from all applause and love. 
He much endur'd but was all patient mild, 
A man in virtue tho' in vice a child. 
Such was his life we doubt not but believe 
A full reward he did at Death receive. 
He died Deer. 29th, 1754, Aged 14. 
Elizabeth Steadman, died Feb. 12th, 1748, aged 18. 
Robt. Steadman, died Febry. 17th, 1749, aged 27. Jane Steadman died March 8th, 

1750, ag Here lieth the of Christopher son of Iohn 

Steadman who February the [half covered by the Font]. 

Here lieth the body of Michael Aiselby who departed this life the 15th day of Ianu- 
ary 1762, aged 84 years. J 

Here lyeth the body of Robert Clifton, grocer, son of John Clifton, attorney att law, 
of this town, who departed this life the 28th of May, 1734, aged 26 yea^s. 
Siste viator, et respice paululum. 
Si quid arnica Mater, si Matrona modesta, 
Si Uxor amantissima, si intacta Pudicitia 
redolens Virtu tern 
Ad quod respicias, habeat. 

* He was mayor of Stockton in 1736, 1742, 1746. and 1756, and mar. 1st. Jane Colling of 
Hurworth, of the family still seated there ; and 2nd. at Darlington 24th July, 1759, Eliz. 
Hayton, of this parish, spinster, who was buried here 15th July, 1790. By his first wife he 
had issue Thomas, who died unm. ; Anne, who m. Tho. Sheen of Newcastle, a descendant 
of Sheen of Surrey ; and Jane, m. to Thomas Bone of the same place. Mr. Sheen's two 
daughters, Anne and Elizabeth, m. respectively the Rev. James Thomson (Vicar of 
Ormesby and perpetual curate of Eston, whose grandfather, James, was cousin to Thomson 
the Poet, and who himself was a " poetical parson," and published five or six vols, of poems 
and novels), and James Henzell of Newcastle. Both sisters had families : the fair portion 
of the former live at Norton and are old friends. They formed a trefoil, but my worthy 
brother-fancier of literature, Mr. W. R. Bell (the pedagogue of the ancient grammar school 
which rose on the site of the Hermitage at Norton), bit a leaf off. From James Raisbeck s 
brother Thomas, the later Raisbecks of Stockton descend. 

f " Doorkeeper to the House of Lords."— Par. Reg. 

X The Aslakbys (of Aislaby near Egglescliffe) held lands in Darlington. Sir Robert 
Danby of Thorpe Perrow near Bedale, knt., chief justice of the common pleas, held 
lands, &c. in Durham, Darlington, Gateshead, &c, in co. pal. jure uxoris Elizabeth 
daughter and co-heir of John Aslabye, esq , who had died 1432. Michael Aiselby 
was a great tanner who migrated from Barnard Castle, bought a tannery in Pre- 
bends Row in 1718, and rose to the rank of gentleman. He was a near relation to the 
Studley family which produced a Chancellor, and to the forefathers of my antiquarian triend 
Michael Aislabie Denham of Piersbridge. His large acquisitions produced the now rather 
old fashioned mansion of Monkend near Croft, and one of his three daughters, Margaret, 
was the wife of James Mewburn, esq. (of a Croft family), who lived jure uxoris at Monkend. 
The Aislabies were so fond of the name of Michael that one of them at Bowes having only 
daughters, and fearing that no son would ever arrive, ealled one of them Micliat. I he 
Pembertons, who acquired Aislaby by purchase only, were equally disposed to the name. 
Mother Shipton says ; " When Egglescliffe sinks and Yarm swims, Aiselby will be the 
market town.' 



PROTESTANT. 245 

Hie jacet Anna Holmes Uxor Francisci Holmes 

In hoc Oppido Mercatoris : 
Honestis nata Parentibus, honestis digna 

Parentibus : 
Multis flebilis occidit, TJxorio flebilior Marito 
In cuius Memoriam hoc reposuit Marmor. 

Obiit ilia 27 : die Aprilis Anno Dom'i 1722 
JEtat : 34. 
. . . . c marmore etiauique requiescit Franciscus Holmes Vir integer fidelis, Et in 
omni Negotio Egregio, Obijt Die quarto Jimij 1747 -^Etatis Anno 59 : Filios Reliquit 
Duos Johannern In hoc Tumulo Conditum Et Franciscum Superstiteni. Obijt Johannes 
die 4o. Febru'ij 1747. iEtatis Anno 39.* 

E. P. 

Here lieth the body of Isabel the wife of Ralph Sanderson, and daughter of John and 
Elizabeth who died January the 19th, 1723, Mt&t. Suae .... 

W. 

South Aisle.] .... me Colling, died 1794, aged 85. 

ughter of Io martha Willso .... dy'd 14 of febry. ... 64, 

aged 1 ye . . . 

Sacred to the memory of William .... rgarth lieutenant 97th regiment 

of died on the 27th 27 years. 

To the memory of James the son of James and Ann Wilson, who died December 22nd 
1791, aged 2 years. 

In memory of Newbj/ Lowson, who died January 1st, 1781, aged 40 years. Lucy, 
daughter of Lucy and Xewby Lowson, died March 4th, 1778, aged four years. 

North Aisle.] — J. B aged 76. 

To the memory of Iohn Cully Harrison of Newton House in the county of York, 
Esquire, who died April XIII. A.D. MDCCC. aged XLII years : And also to that of his 
maternal relations Mr. Thomas Bun-ell of Darlington aged LXVIII ; and Mrs Frances 
Burrell aged LXXXI. Tins monument is inscribed by his affectionate relict D. 
Harrison. 

In memory of Ralph Milbanke, only son of the late Captain Ralph Milbanke, R.N., 
of Black well, first lieutenant of Her Majesty's ship Childers, who died at Hong Kong, 
in China, deeply and sincerely regretted by all who knew him, Augt. 28th, 1843, in the 
34th year of his age. 

In the CHURCHYARD.t] — In memory of Edward Charleton, Northumberland, formerly 
major of the 5th reg. of foot, in which regt. he served ten years, and late major of the 
11th regt. of foot, born Febry. 22nd, 1759, died May 22nd, 1839, aged 80 years. Who 
after a life of strict integrity and domestic virtue, departed this life with every hope, 
resting on the merits of a Divine Saviour, and saying to his beloved daughter " The 
same Saviour that supports me now will support you ;" words to her most precious and 
full of richest comfort. 

This stone is erected to the memory of David Johnston of Allonby in Cumberland, 
and late acting foreman, for 8 years and 6 months, to Alfred Kitching of the Railway 
engine works, near this town ; by his fellow-workmen, as a tribute of their respect and 

* The pith of this inscription is given on a mural monument : — " Sacred to the Memory 
of Mr. Francis Holmes of this Town Gent., Ann his wife, and John their son, who are 
Buried in the middle Isle of this Church. This monument was erected in the year 1776, 
by Francis Holmes as a Testimony of his Duty towards his Parents, and Affection towards 
his Brother." 

+ On a stone commemorating the family of Robert Robinson, innkeeper, 1766-1772, are 
the arms, crest and motto of the Masons' Company (as of London), with various mystic 
symbols. On another headstone are represented a skeleton creeping from under the cover 
of an altar tomb, two palm branches, a scull, a serpent biting its tail (eternity), two 
trumpets, under an eye enclosed in a half circle of clouds, and a very chubby cherub's 
head in clouds at each side of the last device. 



246 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

esteem for his ability and exemplary conduct, which he exercised towards them in the 
discharge of his various duties. He died of consumpiion Jany. 29th, 1847, aged 35 
years. 

In Remembrance of Wm. Burton, Junr., student in medicine and surgery, who died of 
a fever the 29th of August 1804, before he had attain'd the 21st year of his age. 

Peace to his ashes — to his memory Fame ; 

Let these few lines intrinsic worth proclaim. 

From Virtue's pleasing Paths he never rov'd, 

Of man a lover, and by man belov'd. 

Oh had he liv'd till learned age had run 

The glorious Race his youth had but begun, 

Then future myriads by Diseases torn, 

Had thankful blest the day that He was born.* 
Also his Brother Joshua Burton late a Capt' in the Navy died the 4th of Deer., 1810, 
aged 24 years, much respected. 

*a* 1755. The four old bells in Darlington church were recast by Lester of London, 
and two new ones added. They were hung and tuned by the ingenious Mr. James 
Harrison, from Barrow in Lincolnshire. Four of them were cast anew in 178 . .at the 
cost of 188?. 95. 7\d. The weight of the six is 58cwt. lqr. Harrison's curious piece of 
mechanism, which changed the tunes chimed every four hours, had baffled the skill of 
all our local mechanists for years and had fallen into complete disorder, when in 1843 

* Here are a few more specimens of the muse unlearned : — ■ 
Discontented mother left to weep, 
Dear Mother let me lie and sleep. 
Her .... worth was only known to those 
Who stood distracted while her eyes did close. 
Hark : from the tombs a doleful sound, 

My ears attend the cry, 
" Ye living men, come view the ground, 

Where you must shortly lie. 
Princes, this clay must be your bed, 

In spite of all your towers ; 
The tall, the wise, the rev'rend head, 
Must lie as low as ours." 

My plant did flourish fair 
Like to a rose in June, 
But Death with his cold blast 
Has cropt my tender bloom. 
Weep not for her that's won the golden portal 

With all her jewels crown'd nor stain'd nor dim : 
All that she triumph'd in is now immortal, 
Nor hush the seraph host's eternal hymn. 

Those lovely buds so young and fair 

Call'd hence by early doom, 
Just came to show how sweet those flowers 

In Paradise would bloom. 

Remember Man, as thou goes by, 
As thou art now, so once was I. 
Repent in time, no time delay, 
I in my prime was snatch'd away. 

19 years I was a maid and 3 years was a wife, 
The mother of 4 children and then departed life. 

No marble marks thy couch of lowly sleep 
But living Statutes there, are seen to weep, 
Affliction's semblance, bends not o'er thy Tomb 
Affliction's self ; deplores thy youthfull doom. 

Farewell dear Grandmother dont fret for me 
For long I have wished my dear mother to see 
But now its pleased the Lord to take me away 
And left my Brother a short time to stay. 
The three last rhymes are on one stone, date 1816. The Statute one became quite popu- 
lar, and in one instance is improved by reading " Statutes their" 



PROTESTANT. 247 

Mr. George Hoggart, a self-taught organ builder, put it into proper order and substi- 
tuted some new tunes. The chimes play " God save the Queen," " Britons strike home," 
" Life let us cherish,'' "See the conquering hero," and the 4th Psalm tune, in rotation 
during the week till Sunday morning, when the barrel shifts to the psalm tune and 
resumes its place in twenty-four hours afterwards. 



TRINITY CHURCH 

stands on the road to Cockerton, and the foundation stone was laid by the 
new Bishop of Durham, Dr. Maltby, 4 Oct., 1836, when a silver trowel was 
presented to the Bishop by John Allan, esq., of Blackwell Hall. The style 
is Early English, the church consisting of one large Nave, two Aisles, and a 
porch tower on the South, in the second story of which is the vestry. The 
stair turret is crowned with a spiret, which in some situations has a rustic 
and extremely happy effect as contrasted with the thick surrounding foliage. 
The interior is light and convenient, but the flat ceiling detracts much from 
its beauty. There are 1010 sittings, 600 of which are to be free for ever. 
Some additional accommodation, by plain and good stalls, has recently been 
effected. 

A good organ, built by our townsmen Geo. Hoggart and Sons, was added 
in 1844. 

The district attached to this church comprises that part of the parish 
West of the following boundary. As to the township of Darlington, proceed 
South down the Great North Road, up Albion- street, down Commercial- 
street to Bondgate, cross to the end of Skinnergate and proceed down that 
street ; the remaining boundary is formed by OonisclifFe Lane. It also con- 
tains the whole of the townships of Archdeacon Newton and Cockerton. 

The incumbents have been, 

Robert Hopper Williamson, Jun., son of the rector of Hur worth, resigned for Lames- 
ley in 1847, when a silver salver was presented to him by his parishioners. 

Thomas Webb Minton, 1847. For twenty years his zealous services in connection 
with St. Cuthbert's Church, had been gratefully felt by the parishioners, who, on his 
cessation from those offices, in consequence of the present curate being resident, presen- 
ted him with a handsome coffee-pot, teapot, sugar basin, cream ewer, and purse of 1007. 
The income is about 1801. per annum. 

The following monumental inscriptions occur : — 

On a mural Gothic monument in the South Aisle, adorned with emblematic figures under 
rich canopies and surrounded by a bust in a niche.] — Sacred to the memory of John 
Wood, esquire, of Woodlands, who departed this life November the 25th, 1843, aged 57 
years. " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth : yea, saith the 
Spirit, that they may rest from their labours : and their works do follow them." — Reve- 
lation, c. 14, v. 13 * 

* His loss was much felt Among other charities, he had a soup kitchen at his own resi- 
dence, in the winter months and at his own expense, whence the needy were bountifully 
supplied. 



248 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

In the Churchyard.]— {fcmilv ptarg Coplen fourtfj Baxter of £tr $of)n 
$mteton flfKHianfee of ilalnafcp fcarotut front September £ebentf) &'o 3B*t 
Pl'o fcatfct »tfe of (EKfoartJ Cfjomas Coplct) of ftetljer $all near 29on* 
carter Squire tJtetJ $une first ^'o Wi Wo toccrrvnb.* 

Sacred to the memory of William Rymer, esq., solicitor, who died Dec. 28th, 1848, 
aged 53 years. — He looked for a City which hath foundations, whose Builder and maker 
is God.f 

st. john's church. 

For some time a new town had been gradually arising on the East of the 
Skerne in Darlington, and at last an immense accession in the shape of a 
most populous colony, which gathered round the scene of its members' daily 
labours on the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway at Bank Top, ren- 
dered evident the need for forming a new church district, which, under Sir 
Robert Peel's Act, was accordingly effected, and made to include the whole 
of the parish East of the Skerne, with a population between three and four 
thousand. Until a church was built a warehouse belonging to the Railway 
Company was by them set apart for Divine worship. The church of St. 
John the Evangelist, now completed and open, affords accommodation for 
about six hundred and fifty persons. The Rev. George Brown is incumbent. 
John Middleton, esq., is the architect, and the style of the new building the 
Early English, somewhat late in the period. The plan consists of a chancel 
with vestry at North side, nave with North and South aisles (the latter with 
a porch), and a tower at the West end, which is intended to carry a spire 
160 feet high. The tower opens to the nave by a lofty arch, beneath which 
is a stone screen for the support of an organ. Under the East window is a 
delicate reredos of seven trefoiled arches. The roofs are all open ; that of 
the nave is arched, and that of the chancel canted. There are open stalls 
throughout, with richly carved poppyheads. The reading-desk and pulpit 
are placed at opposite sides near the chancel arch ; the latter is richly arcaded 
and composed of Caen stone, being the gift of the architect. The stained 
glass in the great East window is arranged in circular and vesica-formed me- 
dallions, on which are presented Moses, the raising of the impotent man, St. 
Matthew, the Nativity, the celebrated symbol of the Trinity, the Saviour's 

* This inscription is in relief round the sloping sides of a coffin-shaped stone, on the top 
of which is a decorated cross. A rich head-stone cross near is equally in the advance, but 
the first is the best. The rustic muse has scarcely obtained a footing here. 
All you who come and see this stone, 

Think how quickly I was gone : 
Death does not always warning give, 
Therefore prepare while you live. 

*}« Mr. Rymer was a native of Malton, and being quite an enthusiast in the etymology of 
names of places, was to me a most agreeable companion. Although unable for some years 
to stir in his seat without assistance, and suffering great pain, he was ever quietly jocose, 
and his conversation had a vein of true religion which unobstrusively sunk deep into the 
hearts of his listeners. In all movements relative to the observance of the Sabbath and to 
the promotion of the cause of God, Mr. Rymer was foremost, and died in the full triumph 
of faith. His memory shall be blessed.—" Each honest neighbour shared his soul sincere, 
the orphan dropped a tear, and called him kind." 



Mta 







^g^pfc. 



4W) of J5 Jotpi, Dartaigtmi©^ 



PROTESTANT. 249 

the monogram I.H.S.. St. John (the patron Saint), with his symbol the winged 
serpent in a chalice, the Last Supper, St. Mark, the Ascension, St. Luke, 
the Crucifixion. The side windows of the chancel and the clerestory lights 
are rilled with various quarried patterns. The East windows of the aisles 
contain SS. Peter and Paul and foliage, the amount required for which was 
raised by the Misses Benson. There is a peal of six musical bells. The font 
was presented by Archdeacon Thorp, and is inscribed "The offering of Charles 
Thorp, D.D., Archdeacon, Anno Domini, 1 848." The embroidered covering 
for the communion table was also presented by Mrs. Colling of Monkend, near 
Croft ; and the tesselated pavement within the communion table by Herbert 
Minton, esq. It is of a very rich running aud circled pattern in blue, red 
and yellowish ; the Evangelistic symbols, the angel of St. Matthew, the 
winged Hon of St. Mark, the winged ox of St. Luke, and the eagle of St. 
John being introduced. The remainder of the chancel is similarly adorned. 
The communion plate, costing 80/., was munificently presented by Robert 
Henry Allan, esq., of Blackwell Hall ; it consists of a paten, chalice, flagon, 
and offertory basin, all richly moulded and embossed with foliage and other 
decorations, in the same stvle as the church is built — the designs were fur- 
nished by the author. On the chalice is " I.H. C." and on the basin, u Deo 
Optimo Maximo hcec vasa eucharistica in usum ecclesice Sancti Johannis, 
Evanqelistce, dat dicat dedicat Robertus Henricus Allan, Armiger, Blach- 
welknsis, Anno Domini MDCCCXLVIII." The latter also bears the 
quartered shield of Allan, Pemberton, Hindmarsh, Killinghall, Herdwyke, 
Lambton, and Dodsworth, impaling G-regson quartering Allgood, with crest 
on a cap of mail, and motto. The simple impalement of Allan and Gregson 
also occur on the other vessels. The foundation stone of this elegant edifice 
was laid by George Hudson, esq., M.P., then Lord Mayor of York, Septem- 
ber 10th, 1847. The church has cost about 4000/, and it is a matter of 
regret that the building committee are responsible for a very large debt. 

The incumbency is worth about 170/. 

The Mother Church and Trinity Church have National Schools attached ; 
the former in the Leadyard,* the latter in Commercial street.-)- A new 
school in connection with Trinity is now erecting in L T nion street. All three 
churches have Sunday schools, and there are branches of the Missionary and 
other societies connected with the church. 

II. The Rom ax-Catholic Church. 
In 1 767 the Roman-Catholics in the parish were 84 (29 males, 55 females),^ 

* Number of scholars, boys' day and Sunday school (Mr. J. A. Storey), 157 ; girls' ditto 
(Mrs. Dowell), 85. f Boys' day school, 160 ; Sundav, 130 (Mr. Horace St, Paul Ann- 

strong) ; girls' day, 100 ; Sunday, 140 (Mrs. Wilson). These sliding numbers at Trinity 
school are curious. 

J Randal's MSS. Some of the descriptions are curious. " Ann Mend, spinster, supposed 
to be brought up a papist and born at Craythoin. aged 30. Milliner. Mary w. Sam. Daipe, 
brought up a papist ; her husband a quaker ! Ave Kayson, spinster, brought up a papist, 
b. at Byers Green in this co., servant maid. William Bvlmer, brought up a papist, L. at 



250 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

but about sixty years ago they had dwindled down to some twenty souls who 
"were accustomed to creep silently into a garret to avoid the insults 
of bigotry/' and till 1824 were attended but once a month by a priest 
from Stockton. In 1827 (the chapel attached to the Witham mansion at 
Cliffe, seventeen miles off, having from untoward circumstances been sold and 
converted into a coach-house) the present chapel was opened, the old one 
being in a very bad state. It is behind Paradise Lane, and is built in the 
debased Gothic style, seventy by forty feet. Over the entrance are the 
Witham arms, and there are schools attached. The Very Eev. William 
Hogarth, D.D., Bishop of the Northern District, is incumbent, and the 
number of communicants now amount to nearly three hundred. 

After the house of Carmelite or Teresian Nuns of the English nation (ex- 
pelled at the reformation) had flourished for almost thirty years at Antwerp, 
a colony a went forth from it to Lierre, in Belgium in 1648, consisting of ten 
sisters, with the mothers Margaret and Ursula, both of the Mostyn (of 
Wales) family. They continued there till the approach or the French army 
obliged thenrto fly, and at a very short notice they quitted their convent in 
1794 for London. Under the patronage of Sir John Lawson, of Brough, 
they settled at St. Helen's Auckland, thence they removed, in 1804, to 
Oo^ken Hall, near Durham, where they remained till 1830, when they settled 
at Field House, between Blackwell and Cockerton, which was christened 
Oarmel House, where some eighteen or twenty nuns under Madam Catherine 
Hargitt still reside, the Rev. Joseph Brown being confessor. He succeeded 
the Rev. James Roby, who died in 1841, aged 79, at Mount Carmel, he 
having been for more than fifty years the affectionate father of the commu- 
nity. He was one of the alumni of the English College at Douay. An ex- 
tremely elegant Early English chapel is now erecting at the Nunnery, and 
it is just to remark that Mr. Priestman, of Darlington, a mason, with much 
taste for sculpture, is executing it^in the most meritorious manner. 

III. Protestant Nonconformity. 

In 1645 the Parliament ordered four godly divines into the county, who 
were each paid 150/. yearly out of the possessions of the Dean and Chapter. 
Three were sent to the cathedral, and one to Barnard- Castle, viz. John 
Rogers,* a most virtuous man. At the Restoration he w T as ejected, aud 
presented by Lord Wharton to Croglin Rectory in Cumberland, from which 
he was again ejected by the black Bartholomew Act of Uniformity. A wan- 
dering life succeeded; but in 1672, the laws being mitigated, he licensed 

Barnard Castle, weaver, aged 35. Syth Smith, widow, brought up a papist, b. at Catherick, 
co. York, aged 70, lives on her own, resided 1-12 [of a year]." Nearly all the families men- 
tioned were of mixed creeds. 

* The xviij of Aprill 1650 when Mr. Marsh and Mr. Rogers preached, their chardges and 
their Company at dinner, 4«. ; 1659, for one pint, sack bestowed on Mr. Rogers when he 
preached here, Is. (same item for Mr. Marsh).— Darlington Church Accounts. 



PROTESTANT. 251 

rooms and preached in Darlington and throughout Teesdale with great suc- 
cess. He was intimate with Sir Henry Vane, (who sometimes rode over from 
Raby to attend his labours), and died in 1688. He was succeeded by Mark 
Lisle,* and various other ministersf till 1797, when the Rev. Wm. Norris 
was sent here under the auspices of the Societas Evangelica (of Independent 
principles, and the Home Missionary Society of the day) : he was succeeded 
in 1804 by the Rev. Wm. Graham, J whose Presbyterian bias caused a se- 
cession of the Independents in 1806, and in 1812 the present [Bethel] chapel 
was built for them in Union street by J. Ianson, esq., of London. It was 
enlarged in 1822 and will seat five hundred persons. School-rooms were 
built in 1832, but proving inefficient for the Sabbath school, new ones were 
opened in Kendrew street, in August, 1849, at a cost of 620/. (200/. of which 
was munificently contributed by J. 0. Hopkins, esq.). Nearly three hundred 
children are taught in the school. The Rev. R. C. Pritchett, pastor. 

The Society of Friends were located in early times at Darlington, and 
were subjected to some persecution.§ In 1776 its members in this parish 
numbered 160, average deaths per annum, 4. These statistics will be but 
little altered now. They fir.st met at Cockerton, and their old burial place 
was, I believe, behind the Black Bull Inn at the angle of Blackwellgate and 
Grange road. They have now a handsome meeting-house (with a cemetery) 
in Skinnergate, and the Society has for some time been one of prevailing in- 
fluence in the town.|| 

* Lyonel, s. Mr. Lisle a dissenting teacher, born 19 June, 1720 —Startforth Reg- Shaftoe, 
daughter of Mark Lisle formerly Dissenting Teacher at Darlington, bur. 1728-9. Darlington. 

t A child of Andrew Hunter of D. said to be baptized by the Dissenting-Teacher, buried, 
but no burial office performed, 1722. Christopher Robinson of D. weaver, bur. but no 
office performed because a Presbyterian, 1723-4. — Par. Reg. About 1754, a Mr. Wood, a 
surgeon, preached in a room in Northgate ; afterwards Mr. Carlisle, and then Mr. Tuff, 
married in 1772, to " Miss Polly Yellowley, a most accomplished young lady, with a hand- 
some fortune." His character was but indifferent and the Presbyterian society broke up. 
John Nixon of D., gunsmith, died 1798 of an " apoplectic fit in the Presbyterian meeting- 
house." 

t He published in 1809 "The grand Question considered, 'Am I in a state of grace V 
with Miscellaneous gatherings" on various subjects, full of curious facts and odd opinions 
against instrumental music, &c 

5 County of Durham. The Information of William Thornaby of Richmond in the Count. 
Yorke, Whoe saith that upon the third day of July last being Sonday there was a meeting 
of Quakers that did meet at the house of Cuthburt Thomsons in Darnlinton and there did 
assemble themselves together and did hould a conventicle the said day contrary to the Act 
of Parlliamet which I shall prove by the oath of two witnesses as the said Act doth direct 
in that case made and provided. The names of those persons that did meet being foremer- 
ly : — Cuthburt Thomson aud his famely of Darlinton, his fines for suffering this meeting to 
be holden in his house. 20?. ; John Craford and Margrett his wife of Blackwell, XI. received 
and returned; Peter Gouldsbrough, same, 10s- ; Lawrence Appelby, Darlington, 10s., re- 
ceived Apr... ; Edward Fisher and Vrsselle his wife, of the same firste meeting ; James 

Wastell of Hanghton ; John Robinson of Cokerton and Ann his wife, 5s., firrst meet- 
ing, 5s. Convicted these persons before Sir Francis Bowes, the 20th July, by the oath of 
these two witneses, Henery X Johnson his marke, Richard Parkin. 

I Sept., 35 Chas. II. Edward Boyes and Thomas Radclife, par. Darlington, come before 
Sir Robert Eden, Bartt., and Cuthbert Carr, Justices, and swear that Joshua Midleton 
mercer, Lawrence Apleby, William Dobson, Thos. Hodgson, Ursula Fisher, Anne King, 
Margarett Nixon, par. Darlington, and Christopher Hodgson, par. Hurworth, attended a 
Conventicle in Darlington on Sunday, 26 Augst., at the house of Robert Truman. There- 
fore we fine Midleton, Apleby, Dobson, Hodshon, King, and Apleby, 105. each, they having 
been previously convicted. On Ursula Fisher and Margaret. Nixon, 5s. each, being their 
first offence. On Robert Truman, 2011, but by reason of his inability to pay the same, 10 
on Tho. Hodshon and 10 on Ursula Fisher. 

II The late Mr. S of Durham, a Friend, was travelling by stage coach to Darlington, 



252 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

The followers of Wesley existed in Darlington from an early period ot the 
history of Methodism, though it does not appear that he preached m Dar- 
lington before 1761, it being merely a road station on his route to and 
from Newcastle. But some of his coadjutors had preached in Darling- 
ton in a small thatched cottage with a mud floor in Clay Row, which 
stood on the site now occupied by the house of Mr. Middleton the currier. The 
hearers seldom numbered more than half a dozen, but on Wesley's visit, not 
half the congregation could obtain admittance, and he preached in the yard. 
The Wesleyans removed then into an obscure room in Northgate,* and in 
1778 to a chapel built in Bondgate, still standing as the cabinet-maker's shop 
of Mr. Peverley.f On Sunday, 9 May, 1779, Wesley "preached in the 
Market Place, and all the people behaved well, but a party of the Queen s 
dragoons/' His pulpit was a large stone (recently removed) at the church- 
gates, and, in reproving the rude soldiery, he reminded them of the tolerant 
principles of their master, George III., who at the time resisted the anti- 
Methodist feeling at court, and used his interference to secure the benefit of 
the Toleration Act as a protection to the Methodists from the continual vio- 
lence of mobs. In 1 786 the chapel was enlarged and side galleries erected, 
when Mr. Wesley re-opened it after the enlargement, and also preached in 
the " Raff-yard" (Commercial-street). { On another visit he stood on a hogs- 
head at Mr. Pratt's door by the buildings which now bear his name. 

when a gentleman near him avowed infidel sentiments and began to ridicule the sacred 
volume. " Friend," said Mr. S., " what dost thee find so ridiculous in the Bible ?" " Oh !" 
said the infidel, "what man in his senses can believe that a stone from a sling could sink 
into a man's head and kill him." "Why," said Mr. S., "if Goliah's head was as soft as 
thine, there could have been no difficulty about it ! " 

The leading families of the Friends have made their fortunes with their own right hands, 
and have settled down in all the best and snuggest mansions near the town. They love 
ample gardens and green plantations, plain houses and high walls, and there is an air of 
the quintessence of comfort in their grounds. They are active in all works of public inter- 
est and improvement, and have always stood firm and active champions against war and 
slavery. To one of them, says Howitt, "Joseph Pease, sen., we owe the formation of a 
society, — that of British India, — which, if properly supported by the public, would confer 
more blessings on the population, both of this country and of the Indian peninsula, than 
it has ever yet been the privilege of human nature to work out." 

%* Richard Lindley of Darlington, of the society of Friends, bequeathed 3501. to be 
placed at interest ; 150?. was to be invested in government securities, and the dividends to 
be applied in the encouragement of a schoolmaster or schoolmasters of his own society ; 
the remainder was secured in houses adjoining the Friends' Meeting-house, and the inter- 
est is divided among their poor members. 

1773, May. "Died, in the Quakers' Almshouses in this town, Thomas Kipling, Wool- 
comber, aged 84, a sober, industrious, honest man, who left a widow, a few years older thau 
himself. They were married near 59 years and supposed to be the oldest couple here. 
He lay near two years a prisoner in Durham gaol, at the suit of Mr. Hall, then Curate of 
this place, for his marriage fees, though they were married at the Quakers' Meeting." — 
Darlington Mercury. ( 

* Subsequently the meeting-house of the Independents before a secession led to the erec- 
tion of their present chapel. It is in a nameless passage South of the Post-office. " An 
old disciple" remembers, as a boy, joining in the derisive shout, common in those times, 
when " Michael Gingles," the original beadle of Methodism, carried the pulpit on his back 
from Clay Row to Northgate. 

*f* It merely contained an end gallery, but the wonder of the age was, how it would ever 
be filled. The financial records of the Darlington society commence in the year 1778. 

$ He died in 1791, when Darlington had 183 members. Previously to 1 805, Darling- 
ton was, in succession, an appendage to the Dales', the Yarm, and the Stockton circuits, 
but, in that year, became the head of a circuit which swallowed up two older circuit-towns, 
Yarm and Stockton, and included Hartlepool. Stockton is now a circuit-town with these 
towns attached. 



PROTESTANT. 253 

The present chapel, a handsome Italian brick pile,* with stone dressings, 
stands in a recess on the South side of Bondgate, and was erected in 181 2. -f- 

The number of Wesleyans in Darlington in 1850 is 300, in the circuit 
(including twenty-four surrounding villages) 717. The ministers at present 
stationed here are the Rev. (reorge Jackson, chairman of the Whitby and 
Darlington district, and the Rev. Luke H. Wiseman. 

Wesley devoted much attention to what he called " the noblest institutions 
which have been seen in Europe for many centuries/' Sunday Schools. They 
were adopted in the old Bondgate chapel soon after 1790, and removed to a 
large room in " Pratt's Buildings/' In 1818 Thomas Pickering Robinson, esq. 
gave land in Skinnergate on which Sunday schools were built.}: The first 
collection for missions occurs in 1799 ;§ there is a regular branch of the 
Wesleyan Missionary Society. The Darlington Benevolent and Strangers' 
Friend Society commenced in 1815, and employs visitors in visiting the 
sick poor of all denominations. The committee grant relief and the visitors 
administer it, adding seasonable religious instruction. || 

In 1840, a handsome chapel was built in Paradise Row, by "the Wes- 
leyan Methodist Association." It will seat from 700 to 800 persons, and 
has convenient vestries and spacious school rooms connected with it ; in the 
latter of which a flourishing Sabbath school is conducted, consisting of up- 
wards of 450 scholars. The premises were erected at a cost of about ^2700.^[ 

* 64 by 52 feet, interior measurements. There is a gallery all round, and a semicircular 
apse at the West end containing communion arrangements and an orchestra above. Num- 
ber of seats, about 1400. At the time of erection it was one of the largest Wesleyan chapels 
in the kingdom. Architect, Jenkins of London. Cost, above £4000. Class rooms, a large 
vestry, and two ministers' houses with small gardens, constitute the whole one of the most 
comfortable and complete religious establishments for miles round. A good organ by 
Nicholson of Rochdale (300/.) was added in 1840. Mr. Wm. Foggitt, gratuitous organist. 

-f* Another chapel was built in Park-street, in 1831, for Darlington beyond Skerne ; seats, 
300. It has not been found so necessary as was anticipated, and is principally used as a 
Sunday school. A small chapel at Cockerton was built in 1823 ; seats, 150. 

$ Day schools under a separate trust were allowed, and a Lancasterian boys' day-school 
is kept below, and a Wesleyan girls' day-school of industry above. The girls are taught by 
a teacher from the Glasgow Training establishment. Number, upwards of 70. The Wes- 
leyans occupy both rooms on the Sabbath. Children in these schools, upwards of 450 ; 
teachers, about 80 ; children admitted since their establishment, nearly 6000. Ten village 
schools in connection have upwards of 400 scholars. 

§ The circuit included Stockton, Yarm, Hartlepool, Darlington, Bishop- Auckland, & ., 
and the collection was 21. 12s. In 1848, the Darlington circuit, with its circumscribed 
bounds, produced 275/. 16s. \d. 

|| " The Wesleyans disclaim the designation of ' dissenters? that word conveying a dis- 
tinctive idea on a principle of Ecclesiastical Polity, which they do not hold, i.e., the Scrip- 
tural unlawfulness of Establishments. Wesley commenced his labours as supplementary 
to those of the clergy, to rouse them to greater activity ; and he intended his members to 
be embraced in their communion. Many of the most excellent churchmen have expressed 
their regret that his purposes and plans were not appreciated. His followers, therefore, 
became Nonconformists by fate, not by design ; and they do not now, like some who have 
seceded from them, deny the Scriptural lawfulness of an Established Church, or join in the 
agitation for the separation of church and state. With Wesley, they wish such reforms as 
would give greater spiritual efficiency to the Established Church ; but in all agitations 
their position is that of friendly neutrality. Wesley's motto was, ' The friends of all ; the 
enemies of none.' " 

% " The society worshipping in this chapel (known as the Wesleyan Methodist Associa- 
tion) withdrew from the Wesleyan Methodists in 1835, adopting a liberal form of church 
government, which they regard as being more fully in accordance with the principles of 
the New Testament. In matters of Christian doctrine, and modes of worship, there is no 
difference between them and the body from which they separated." 



254 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

The Primitive Methodists have a chapel in Queen-street, built in 1821 ; 
and the Baptists have one in Archer-street. 

There are schools connected with the various persuasions, and branches of 
many of their religious and moral societies. 



*** 



I must now notice two eccentrics in religion. 



In 1822, the notorious Jonathan Martin came into the employ of Mr. George Middle- 
ton, a tanner here, and then experienced some of his remarkable visions about Bona- 
parte's son reigning in England, &c. He spent his evenings in preaching and praying, 
and boasted in his autobiography, printed here in 1825, that through his labours in 
seven weeks, two hundred precious souls were set at liberty. He said that prayer-books 
had been the means of sending many to hell. In 1824, he had a coat and boots of seal 
skin with the hairy side outwards. After that he procured an ass, as useful in selling 
his publication and in imitation of our Saviour. He preached at the Market Cross to a 
society of Odd Fellows. Yet he was a good workman, lived a good deal among the 
Methodists, and took great care of his son whom he had placed with a Jewish pedlar, in 
in the idea that he was to assist in converting the Jews. 

Almost every one that has frequented the markets of Darlington, Stockton, and other 
places in the county for the last fifty years, must recollect a middle sized, and fresh- 
looking man for his years, very plainly but decently dressed, who paraded the streets or 
visited the Inns, carrying under his arm a huge collection of ballads or pamphlets which 
he modestly offered to the persons he met with, crying " Buy a book, buy a book !" If 
one was bought for a penny, he was perfectly satisfied, and the gentlemen who had 
known him in better times would occasionally present him with a sixpence or shilling. 

True it was that old George had once known better times. His father occupied a 
farm at Great Stainton, under the Pennyman family, his judgment being considered 
very superior in selecting cattle, and many came from a great distance to purchase his 
bulls and cows ; nay, I believe that Old Ben — the Messrs. Collings' bull, from which 
descended most of their celebrated animals — was, when a calf, bought of Benjamin Ord, 
the father of our enthusiast, who was an only son, born in 1755, and a spoiled one. His 
attendance at school was very irregular, and frequently no coaxing could get him there 
for a single day in a whole week. Once in Stainton church during service, an older boy 
was experimenting on George's toe-nails, and by some means cut him to the quick : the 
agonised boy, sans reverence, roared out most lustily, for which he was deservedly 
reprimanded and his unlucky tormentor well whipped. Another day as he was sailing 
his ship in a deep well, a mischievous lad, called Jack Kemp, pushed him in head fore- 
most and then ran off. He was saved from being drowned by a woman that was hay- 
making near, who drew him out by the legs, exclaiming, " It's plain thou wasH not 
born to be drowned, thou great booby." Again, he was standing near the filthy reser- 
voir of a farmer's middens, when a gigantic fellow leapt upon his shoulders, George gave 
way, and both were engulphed, our hero undermost. He had on his Sunday garments 
and was hardly recognised by his play-fellows. 

However, he contrived to live, and his father dying when he was young, and the 
Pennymans at that time requiring more rent, his mother engaged another farm at 
Cowpen near the sea. In his youth he had the vanity to suppose himself handsome, and 
fancied every young female that looked at him was in love with him. Vet he made a 
prudent choice in his first wife* who, for the few years they Jived together, made an 
amazing improvement in her husband, but unfortunately after five or six years she died 
in childbirth of twins, leaving them and other three children to the widower. He soon 

* 1773. March. "Married at Hilton-Chapel, near Yarm, by the Rev. Mr. Peacock, Mr 
Geoige Ord, an eminent farmer, to Miss Polly Preston of that place, a sprightly and well- 
accomplished young lady of 18 years of age. endowed with those perfections that promise 
the greatest felicity to the nuptial state." — Darlington Mercury. 



PROTESTANT. 255 

got a much inferior helpmate ; she was virtuous, careful and industrious enough, but 
then she gave in to all his whims and ways, and a dormant mental malady began to 
appear. 

He left the Cowpen farm, took one of Sir John Eden at Preston-on-Tees, near Yarm, 
and having always been a humming Jdrumming, dreaming, musing fellow, now began 
to suppose himself superhuman and to see most absurd and chimerical visions. Every 
thing went wrong, his corn failed for want of cultivation, for want of attention his cattle 
died. He was now a vagabond, carrying his dreams, visions, and hymns, from one side 
of the island to the other, and twice he wrote, (without of course receiving any answer) 
to Mr. Pitt, representing that the nation was in the greatest danger, and could not be 
saved without his helping hand. 

Although he could scarcely spell a word right, he was continually using his pen on 
hymns and spiritual plays of the most doggrel character. Sometimes he sung them at 
the Market crosses during the hirings of servants, or at other public meetings, and he 
commonly had a crowd of disorderly persons about him, some commiserating his situa- 
tion, others casting dirt, stones, or vile potatoes in his face. He has been seen at Dar- 
lington near the Towns-house chanting his dismal rhymes, and the blood streaming from 
his nose, caused by some too well-directed aim ; yet he never ceased his singing, and 
seemed to take no notice. 

He wrote some of his sad and unconnected stuff to his worthy landlord Sir John, who 
for long had suffered him to remain, but wearied at length by his foolish conduct, he 
let the good farm to a more deserving tenant. George had a host of children by his 
second wife, who, with his elder ones, were reduced to ruin and distress. He was father, 
grandfather, and great grandfather to descendants almost innumerable, living in low 
employments ; most of them he married off when they were little more than children ; 
the old boy being a great stickler for matrimony. 

He had once an interview with Johanna Southcote, but as two of a trade seldom agree, 
they came to cross purposes in their doctrines outrageously, for George considered him- 
self the true Shiloh, and the vulgar prophetess was then destined to become the mother 
0/ Shiloh. In his writings he styled himself the chosen minister of God, the only true 
Branch, the Great I am, the Messiah or Shiloh, the Prince of Peace, and many other 
names, and the good folks that knew him called him a second Solomon, Preacher George, 
the Antichrist, the Pope in disguise, the Ancient of Days, and sometimes the wandering- 
Jew. 

He traversed the three kingdoms : often when his finances were low he was conveyed 
in a pass cart from one township to another, and sometimes on his route homewards 
was farther from Preston-on-Tees at night than he had been in the morning. He de- 
clared most solemnly that he would never die, and was certainly, notwithstanding 
his age, very active ; he rambled about in 1830 from house to house with great ease but 
was not so erect as formerly, he had lost his teeth, and his hair was white as snow. 
Still he was as amorous as ever, and the matrons and young lasses scampered off on his 
approach to avoid a divine salute, or a Sion kiss from the Ancient of days. Such dam- 
sels as submitted patiently to his tales of heavenly love and delight, were immediately 
registered in his Book of books, being destined afterwards to be seen hand in hand with 
him, singing and dancing in the air, and kicking with their feet the heads of those who 
were so stubborn as not to hearken to the charmer's voice. 

The head of George's eldest son was full of perpendiculars, diameters, and wheels 
within wheels. He was under the firm impression that he had discovered the true per- 
petual motion, and was like bis father very prolific. 

The patriarch was, notwithstanding his predictions, gathered to his fathers. Both he 
and his son were buried at Seymour, in Cleveland, where a small property had been left 
them, the former to the very last resolutely maintaining his opinion that he was a true 
prophet. 



256 ECCLESIASTICAL. 



(Btyapter JH. ffifjanttea Mongtng to tfjts ^artsfy 



The Free Grammar School, a mean building, stood Eastward of the Church 
on the Skerne, but in 1813 the site was added to the burial ground, and by 
agreement, the parish built another school of similar dimensions, to the South 
of the churchyard, to which an upper story was added in 1846. The notes 
appended to the following pith of the charter* will explain the whole foun- 
dation. 

(1) " ELIZABETH^ &c, &c.,. Know ye that at the humble petition of our much 
beloved and faithful cousin, Henry, Earl of Westmerland,^ and the Reverend Father 
in Christ, James,§ Bishop of Durham, on behalf of our faithful liege subjects the inhabi- 
tants of the town of DARLYNGTON within the county palatine of Durham, to us, for 
a Grammar School there, to be erected and for ever established for the perpetual educa- 
tion, erudition, and instruction of boys and youth of that town,|| there to be trained, 
instructed and taught ; of our special grace, &c; we will, grant, and ordain for us, our 
heirs and successors, that from henceforth there may and shall be a certain Grammar 
School in the said town of Darlyngton, which shall be called " The Free Grammar 
School of Queen Elizabeth,"' for the education, training, and instruction of boys and youth 
in Grammar,^ to endure in future times for ever ; and that school, of one master** or 

* The original Latin, with various other school papers, constitutes one of the Allan tracts. 
Hutchinson translated it in 1788 for James Allan, esq., and this reading was published by 
the town in 1818, and again in 1845 with an address on the school generally by T. E. Abbott, 
esq. In 1666 there was paid " to Mrs. Colthirst for the translating of the scholl patten into 
English, 13s." The husband of this blue stocking was Rob. Colthirst, then Borough Bailiff; 
he was of Guisbrough in 1678, when he seals a law letter " for Mr. Samuel Butler, of Man- 
chester, a haberdasher of hats, now at Yorke," with a fess between three colts passant ; 
crest, a demi-lion rampant affrontee ; the insignia worn by Colthirst of Somersetshire : and 
was evidently of the family of Colthurst of Upleatham. See Ord's Cleveland, 350. 

+ The initial E of the charter contains the virgin queen in most gallant array. A good 
old full length portrait of the foundress, with the charter in her hand, was placed in the 
school by George Allan the antiquary, in remembrance of having received his first rudiments 
of literature there. The schools founded and sanctioned by Elizabeth are very numerous- 
She founded one at Yarm on the supplication of Tho. Conyers of that place, and by will 
1589 he leaves his house and tenement at Darnton, &c, to Francis Nicholson, his wife's 
nephew, charged with 20s. yearly to the school of Yarome for ever. It is the property of 
James Johnson. 

X Warden of the West Marches, and "a sensible and well educated, as well as a brave 
man" as appears from his letters. 

§ Pilkington. 

|| " Tho' the town of Darlington be only mentioned, yet the intention of the instituting 
such school is plain, that it is for the service of the parish, two of the Governors living al- 
ways out of the township, and the twenty-four who chuse those govei-nors, living many of 
them likewise out of the township ; yet such school is designed for the further instruction 
of those that can read, and not to teach children to read." — Opinion of John Middleton, esq., 
of Durham, councellor at law, 1688. 

TI This word is considered to imply the teaching of the dead languages, and they only 
are taught free. 

** " 1631. Paid for fower burdens of Rushes and for dressing the Scholehouse at Mr. 
Richard Smelt entrance to the same, 16c?. Item, for a bottle of wine and sugar for inter- 
taininge Mr. Smelt into the said Schoole house, 2s. 1638, For one quart of Clarit wyne 
when Mr. Robinson went to enter of the Skoule, M. 1666, For beare and tobaco bestowed 
on Mr. Bell and his schollers in the Rogation weeke, Is. 10cZ. 1667, For ale and cakes in 
Rogation weeke for the schollars, Is. 6d. 1669, Spent at Mr. Bells, Ad., for cakes to the 
scolers, 6d. 1677, To Margret Parkingson that the parson and scolars drunke when they 
went a proambulation att Cockerton, 2s." Other similar entries relating to the " beating 
the bounds" of the parish occur. 



PROTESTANT. 257 

pedagogue, and one usher or sub-pedagogue,* for ever to continue and endure, we erect, 
ordain, create, found, and establish by these presents." (2) " The four wardens of 
Darlyngton, for the time being, shall be and shall be called Governors of the said Free 

Masters.— Robert Hall, Sclioll M'r of Derlington occ 1559, 1571 . Rob. Ovington, de- 
prived by Rev. Hen. Dethicke, A.M., Surrogate, and Rev. Tho. Burton, offic. at Auckland 
chapel, witnesses having been examined, and churchwardens ordered to elect new master, 
1579: Lewis Ambrose, occ. 1587: Rob. Hope, curate, lie. 1622: Tho. Hardy, 1630: Ric. 
Smelt. 1631: Rob. Clerke, lie. 1632: Ric. Birkbeck, lie 9 Oct,, 1634: [Matt. Phillipp, 

schoolmaster of Darlington, bur. 30 Apr., 1634, in the church] Robinson, 1638: 

Ralph Johnson occ. 1652: John Cooke, 1653 : John Hodshon, gen., 1657: Rev. Geo. 
Bell, curate, 1666: Isaac Richardson, occ. 1720. bur. 1723: Jonathan Sisson, 1723, 
bur. 1743: Rev. Tho. Marshall, discharged 1739, bur. 1740, "Curate of Barnard Castle 
and late Master of the Free School:" Rev. William Addison, formerly usher, app. 
1739, resigned : Rev. Cuthbert Allen, of Hartforth, B.A., 1747, discharged 1748 : Rev. Tho. 
Cooke, of Darlington, B.A, 1748, discharged 1750 : Rev. Robt, Meetkirke, M.A., of Ickle- 
field, Herts., M.A., 1750, resigned: Rev. Tho. Morland, 1755, d. 1807, ag. 78: Rev. Wm. 
Clementson, 1807, d. 1836. Rev. Geo. Wray, 1836, discharged 1840: Rev. Tho. Marshall, 
present master. The Rev. Thomas Robson,a native of Kirkby Thore, is the present usher. 
Robert Wilson, esq., was upwards of 14 years usher, and died 1836, aged 40. His successor 
was Hen. Wade, esq., a talented artist, who became master of Norton Grammar School, and 
now holds that of Wolsingham. 

* 1738. Born at Ravensworth, near Richmond, Cuthbert Shaw, the son of a shoe- 
maker, in low circumstances. After having, for some time, been usher in the Free Gram- 
mar school at Darlington, where he, in 1756, published his first poem, entitled "Liberty"; 
he became an actor, professing a handsome figure. But the speculation did not succeed, 
and he was reduced to writing for bread. He satired his contemporary poets, but his best 
work was his " Monody to the memory of Emma," his wife, who forfeited the countenance 
of her family, which was good, for his sake, and died in childbirth of an infant who did 
not long survive her. He instructed an infant son of the celebrated Philip Dormer Stan- 
hope, Earl of Chesterfield, for some time; and George Lord Lyttleton, on reading the 
verses on a sorrow similar to that which inspired his own celebrated "Monody," desired 
Shaw's acquaintance, and distinguished him by praise, without assistance of a more tangi- 
ble kind. Judging from the following lines in the Monody: — 

Come, Theban drug, the w-retch's only aid, 
To my torn heart, its former peace restore, &c. 
we should suppose the poet gave himself up to dissipated habits, opium, and intoxicating 
liquors. He died in 1771, in the prime of life, but sadly emaciated. Poor Shaw! Who 
speaks of him % Yet he expected immortality. In 1769 he wrote to George Allan, esq.. — 
" Dear George, — I beg your pardon for having troubled you with a letter relative to Mr. 
Smart, [poor Christopher, the poet] whose pretensions, 1 am since informed, are merely 
visionary, and indeed from that and other circumstances, I am led to believe he still re- 
tains something of his former insanity. I have withdrawn myself from him for some 
weeks past. I hope, or at least am willing to flatter myself, your not answering my letter 
pi'oceeds from the above frivolous application to you - - - The Monody is universally 
thought to be the best of the kind in any language ; and I flatter myself you will be 
pleased to hear that it has procured me the regard of some of the most distinguished cha- 
racters in the kingdom ; among the rest I have the honour to be visited by Lord Lyttleton, 
a distinction he has not paid to any body since the days of Mr. Pope. Mr. Wilkes has sent 
me his acknowledgments in the most warm and sensible manner, and said if Lord T. came 
into administration, I have reason to flatter myself with something more substantial than 
fame. You now see plainly, that, though the malicious part of the world have regarded 
me as a vain pretender, so far from over-rating my abilities, I did not even dream of what 
I was capable of, on exerting myself. It is impossible to describe to you how desirous 
numbers of fortune and fashion shew themselves to cultivate my friendship. And must I 
yet solicit the continuance of yours in vain ? You, who know me so firmly attached to 

you, that despight of all your unkindness, my heart will not suffer me to forget you." 

" As to the essay you ask of me. I hope I have thought of something that will please you 
better. What think you of an Ode to Gratitude, inscribed to you as the projector and 
manager, and the rest of the subscribers. If this is agreeable to you, I will endeavour to 
delineate on it the manner of our studies, and way of living, going a hunting, &c, with Mr. 
Noble's character. I mean to make it a shilling pamphlet. I wait your answer on this 
head. I confess I could wish to be among the number of subscribers, but on my soul, the 
vast expense of physic and asses' milk which I am obliged constantly to use, have not left 
me a guinea to spare. I have something at heart which I must tell you. There is a ring 
(a most beautiful topaz set round with diamonds) which, when I w r as thought a dying man 
about two years ago, I had left you with some other matters. This ring, out of necessity, 
T was obliged to send — you know where — about eight months ago. I cannot bear it should 
be lost, as it was always intended for you, and had I not met with a late disappointment 
you should have had it, e'er this, without any demands on your pocket. I had five guineas, 
so you may easily imagine 'tis a ring of value. Therefore if you will be so kind as either 
trust me in this matter or send money to anybody else, that will be secret, I will give them 
the ticket, with directions where to get it- You are the only person in the world that has- 
the least idea of my being at all straightened, otherwise I flatter myself there are many 
that would be proud to offer me their purses. But think not, my dear friend, I have en- 
deavoured to be reconciled to you, to be troublesome; no, I would die sooner than have 

IK 



258 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Grammar School, and of the possessions, revenues, and goods of the said free school." 
(3) Nomination of "our beloved Marmaduke Fayr barne* John Black elock, John 
Dobson, and Stephen Camber, the present wardens of the said church of Darlyngton, to 
stand and be the first and present Governors," "the said office well and faithfully, to exe- 
cute and hold, from the date of these presents, so long as they shall continue wardens of 
the same church." (4) The same Governors and their successors shall be "a body corpor- 
ate and politic of themselves for ever by the name of Governors of the Free Grammar 
School of Queen Elizabeth, within the town of Darlyngton, within the county palatine of 
Durham, and of the possessions, revenues, and goods of the same free school." (5) They 
" shall have perpetual succession and by that name may and shall be fit and capable 
persons in law to have, acquire, and receive to themselves and their successors, Gover- 
nors, &c., manors, lands, tenements, possessions, revenues, and hereditaments, and also 
goods and chattels whatsoever of us, our heirs, and successors, or of any other person or 
persons whomsoever." (6) When "any one or more of the said four Governors for 
the time being shall die, or shall be removed from his office, then it may and shall be 
lawful for the four and twenty more substantial and discreet inhabitants of the said town,f 
or the major part of them, to appoint another fit person or other fit persons out of the 
inhabitants of the said town in the place or places of him or them so dying, or removed, 
as successors to the said office of Governors to elect and nominate, and so from time to 
time as often as the case shall happen."^ (7) The Governors and their successors "for 

harboured so despicable a thought, and to give you a proof of this, 'tis my resolution, if I 
live till summer, to retire somewhere into the country, where my small income will be 
more than equal to my necessities." - - - " The critical (who are a set of Scotchmen that 
I have trounced in the second edition of the Race) hate me past all endurance, and never 
commend me but when they are betrayed into praise, not knowing the author. I'll very 
shortly make scare-crows of 'em. They know I intend it, and are now trembling with ap- 
prehensions. My fame, dear George, is above their reach, and whilst I am happy in the 
friendship of those that are dear to me, ten thousand such squibs shall never hurt me." 
On Shaw's death, Doctor James Cowper, who had assisted him with both food and medi- 
cine in his greatest distress, wrote to Allac requesting that his poor relations at Darling- 
ton should be informed, as he had died intestate. " You must know that he is richer of 
late than formerly, by being concerned in some quack nostrums, of which he has had so 
good an income of late as to be able to set up his equipage, house, servants, &c , but by 
this, though he hurt himself, yet as the business he was engaged in continues to thrive, 
and by indentures now in my custody for the sake of doing justice to his legal executors, 
I observe that they run good for fifty years to come, to him, his executors and assignes ; 
therefore it would be doing a charity to his poor relations to acquaint them of this affaire, 
and if they cannot come up directly, I believe a power of attorney to me to act for them 
and in their stead would be sufficient, for some time, least by delaying it his estate should 
be embazled by a number of people of bad character about him." 

* Received a pension, 1553. P. 200. + Parish is meant. 

J It would appear that previously it had not been considered necessary to fill u\) vacan- 
cies in the wardens. In 1631, the churchwardens delivered their accounts to "the minis- 
ter, the fower and twentye, and the new elected churchwardens," and in 1668 paid their 
balance in hand " after this accompt was by them and sundry of the xxiiij perused and 
examined." In 1651 " the churchwardens and the fower and twenty" agreed upon a rule as 
to foreigners and undersettlers, whose hosts were to appear before Mr. John Middleton, 
Baliffe, and give security to keep the parish harmless. In 1653, it was "unanimously con- 
discendtd unto and concluded upon" by the wardens "and the fower and twenty, according 
to the custome for letting thereof intrusted," that no person should let the school property 
without the consent of " the churchwardens of the said towne and fower and twenty afore- 
said or the greater part of them to be agreed upon at a publique meeting in the church or 
elsewhere uppon publick notice." 1659, " Given to Widdow Richardson for to carry her 
son to London by the consent of the 24 that was at the church that time, 13s. id." 1663, 
Payd for beere at the conclusion of the sesse when the most part of the foure and twenty 
was present, 5s." In 1668, a churchrent in arrear was left to the xxiiij to consider of. 
In 1671, it was agreed " by the churchwardins and severall of the four and twenty that an 
assesment of twenty shillings per pound shalbe fourthwith leavied for flagging the church 
throughout the parrish." In 1675, the twenty-four consented to the wardens paying the 
balance due to a former overseer of the poor, and in 1682, to their giving Becke Is- 6d- In 
1688, Mary Bell, aged 12, was " by the consent of the 24, the churchwardens and overseers 
of the poore," put as an apprentice or servant to Cuthbert Corneforth," and her sister to 
Mr. Arthur Prescott in like manner. " The parish of Darlington has a select vestry of 
twenty-four. They are elected and proportioned as under : For the town and burrough 
of Darlington, 12 ; for the township of Blackwell, 6 ; for the townships of Cockerton and 
Arch-Deacon-Newton. 6."— {Church Bks. i. 515). In 1714, it was agreed by the twenty-four 
in vestry that in granting any future leases of the school property, public notice should be 



PROTESTANT. 25i) 

ever hereafter shall have a common seal* to their acts aforesaid, and others in these our 
letters patent expressed and specified, or in any wise touching or concerning any part 
thereof, from time to time to he transacted and done, so often as to them shall seem ex- 
pedient, and the case appear to require the same," and " by the name aforesaid, may 
plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, answer and be answered for, in any 
courts or places, and before any Judges, and in any causes, actions, acts, suits, com- 
plaints, pleas, and demands, of what kind, nature, or condition soever the same shall be 
touching the premises or things hereinafter contained or any part thereof, or for any 
offences, trespasses, things, causes, or matters, by any person or persons done or com- 
mitted or to be done or committed." (8) Grant that "the same Governors, and their 
successors, or the major part of them for the time being, for ever, may and shall have 
full power and authority, from time to time, of electing, nominating and appointing a 
pedagogue and usher to the said school, as often as to the same successors [sic, read 
governors] or their successors, or the major part of them, from circumstances them 
moving thereto shall seem [expedient] ; and of removing the same pedagogue and usher, 
or either of them, from the same school, according to their sound discretions, and of 
placing or constituting others or other more fit, in their stead or steads, and of perform- 
ing and doing every other thing which to the said free-school, or to the studies adopted 
in the same [sen incmnbentibus Uteris in eadern] shall be necessary and expedient. (9) 
And that the same Governors and their successors, with the assent of the Earl of West- 
morland and Bishop of Durham for the time being, from time to time do make and may 
have authority and be able to make good, fit, and salutary statutes, decrees, and orders 
in writing concerning and touching the management, order, government, and direction 
of the pedagogue and usher and scholars, of the said free school and each of them, for 
the time being, and the stipends and salaries of the same pedagogue and usher and all 
other matters whatsoever touching and concerning the said free school and the order, 
government, preservation, and disposition of the rents, revenues and goods appointed for 
the maintenance of the said school. "t (10) Grant of "two messuages or tenements, 
and 24 acr. arable land, 8 acr. meadow, and 40 acr. pasture, in Heighington, then or 
late occupied by Nicholas Yonge or his assigns ;J a burgage in le Well Rowe in Dar- 

given in the church of the vestry meeting to contract with the tenants, the majority of the 
twenty-four to agree upon terms ; and that accordingly the churchwardens should be cho- 
sen out of the twenty-four on Easter Tuesday, any one refusing to act as warden in his 
turn to quit, and another be elected in his stead by a majority of the twenty-four present 
and consent of the minister. It thus appears certain that by ancient custom whereof the 
memory of man runneth not to the contrary, the twenty-four of Darlington have full and 
exclusive power, as in the adjacent parish of Aycliffe, in all matters relative to the election 
of wardens, and the audit of their accounts, the levying of assessments and the management 
of church property. Indeed in 1794, the custom was so fully proved, that the Archdeacon 
refused to swear Harrington Lee as churchwarden for Darlington at his visitation, in con- 
sequence of the protest of Geo. Allan, the antiquary (worth all credit singly), that the 
"right of election was by antient custom solely vested in the twenty-four and not in the 
parishioners." As early as 1507, when the wardens (see St. Paul's rents) granted away 
church property, it was done " by and with the consent of the twenty-four electors." 

* The present seal, made in 1748, contains an ugly figure of Queen Elizabeth. " COM. 
SIGILLUM. LIBRAE. GRAMATICAL. SCHOL. REG. ELIZABETH. IN. VILLA. 
DE. DARLINGTON. 1567." [Should be 1563]. The ancient seal presented a royal 
image full horrible to behold amidst a few posies and a D and tun. " X SIGILLVM. 
LIBRE. SCHOLE. GRAM EL'AB'L" 

+ " 1666, For the drawing of the orders for the school and for getting them presented to 
my Lord, 10s." Some statutes were made in 1748 by the wardens by the assent of the 
Bishop, " the title of Earl of Westmorland named in the letters patent being then extinct.' 
They were printed by Allan with the charter. One of such statutes ordained that no mas- 
ter should be removed " unless some good and sufficient cause of complaint or misbeha- 
viour, shall be exhibited in writing against such upper master and signed by us or our 
successors ; and the same cause of complaint be first allowed of and declared by us or our 
successors for the time being, to be a sufficient cause to displace or remove such upper 
master." In 1840, the wardens removed Mr. Wray in their discretion, and it was decided 
in the Queen's Bench and Exchequer, that they had power so to do, and that the bye-law 
was invalid, as restraining and incompatible with the full powers of the charter, and that 
the master was removable without summons or proof of any charge. See the Law Reports, 
1844. j This farm contains 74a. 3p.— Rent in 1840, U31. Arkoles (Hercules) 

Pickerin held it in 1638. 



260 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

lyngton, then or late occupied by John Dobson or his assigns ; another burgage in 
Well Rowe* t«hen or late occupied by Robert Hall or his assigns ;t a free and annual 
rent of 85. 3d. out of a burgage in le Haade Rowe, then or late occupied by Thomas 
Thewe or his assigns ; a similar rent of 4s. 3d. out of another burgage in le Heade Rowe. 
then or late occupied by Anthony Ashenden or his assigns ;.J and a close of land con- 
taining by estimation two oxgangs in the Town-fields and parish of Thornabye, co. 
York, then or late occupied by Ralph Burdon or his assigns ;§ all lately parcel of the 
possessions of a late Chantry called Roberte May^shalles Chaunteri/ late founded in the 
church of Darlyngton then dissolved : as fully as any late cantarist, chaplain, or any 
other governor and minister of the chantry, or any other person seized of the premises 
had enjoyed them ; which premises lately amounted to the clear yearly value of 
51. 4s. 10c?. ;|| to the said governors, to be holden " of us, our heirs, and successors as of 
our manor of Est Grenwiche, co. Kent, by fealty, in free socage only and not in capite, 
in lieu of all rents, services, &c." (11) Grant of all revenues of the premises from the 
feast of the annunciation 1 Edw. VI. " hitherto coming or growing, to have to the said 
Governors of our gift, without an account or any other thing for the same, to us, our 
heirs or successors, in any manner rendering.''^ (12) License for the governors or 
their successors to acquire from the crown or any other person, " any manors, mes- 
suages, lands, tenements, rectories, tithes, or other hereditaments whatsoever, within our 
realm of England, so as they do not exceed the clear yearly value of 10?. and are not 
held of us, our heirs or successors in capite," the statute of mortmain or any other 
thing to the contrary notwithstanding. (13) Grant that the Governors should have 
these letters patent under the Great Seal of England without any fine or fee " in our 
Hanaper, or otherwise to our use in any manner to be rendered." — Test. Westminster, 
15 June, 5th year of reign. [1563] " By writ of privy seal and of the date aforesaid 
by authority of Parliament, Phyllippes. Inrolled 20 Oct. 1567 by me, Willm. Clopton, 
Deput. Anth. Bone. Aud.' ? 

I give the remaining chanties in chronological order. 

1599. June 9. John Pape charged his burgage on the Head Rawe (now the pro- 
perty of Mr. John Thompson) with four horse loads of coals, and 3s. 4c?. annually to 
the poor people of Darlington, the former to be paid at Christmas, and the latter to be 
bestowed in bread at Easter by the vicar and churchwardens ; the aged poor and impo- 

* The Tubwell Row property is on lease to the following parties. No. 3 in the report of 
the Commissioners of Charities to the Trustees of Mark Feetum from 1798 for 99 years, 
rent, 8?. 6s. No. 5, Wm. Walters from 1827 for 40 years, 45?. 10s. (it was 46'?. bnt some out- 
buildings were annexed to No. 6.) No. 6, Messrs. R. Wilson and C. Watson from 1828 for 
31 years, 15?. No. 7, Trustees of R. Smith, from 1801 for 99 years, 1?. 

No. 4, Priestgate, Ann Haw, from 1797 for 99 years, 2?. 5s. There was also a piece of 
garden ground in Priestgate, let to Wm. Feetum, in 1801, for 99 years at 1?. per annum, for 
which the Commissioners stated that no rent was paid, the then master having sold his 
life interest for 4l, to Wm- Feetum, whose representatives now hold it. 

There is also some ancient property in Skinnergate adjoining Dr. Peacock's property, 
held in 1840 by Rob. Wilson and Mary Rymer at a rent of 10?. 15s. per an. was formerly 
paid for a room belonging to it and occupied by the late Dr. but nothing had been received 
for 30 years previous to the report. (No. 8.) 

+ He was schoolmaster before the charter was obtained, in 1559, and occurs in 1567 as 
enrolling a deed in the Court Rolls of the Borough, under the title of " Clerk of the Court." 
X These rents are paid by the owners of the Talbot Inn and the house adjoining. 

§ Anciently called Cheavits farm— contains 27a. 2r. lOp. Rent, £25 10s- in 1840. Hutch- 
inson says " there are four stints or beastgates in Brankin-Moor belonging to this school, 
and three were formerly let with the Tubwell-Row houses, and one with the Skinnergate 
house, and then rented at 8s. each, which, at this time, would be worth 40s. each. For a 
number of years by past, they have not been looked after, and are in a fair way of being 
lost. N.B. Charities are not barred by length of time, nor the statute of limitations." 
|| Revenue in 1840, £251 3s. 6c?. 

If The revenues of All Saints or Marshall's chantry had previously been supplied to the 
purposes of free education. See p. 199. 



PROTESTANT. 261 

tent to be especially relieved. 3s. -id. is paid in lieu of the coals,* and the like sum for 
bread at Easter is now added to the Christmas distribution.! 

1616. CurHBEitT Corneforth of Black well, bequeathed to the poors stock 4?. A bond 
for this sum was taken from Wm. and Tho. Cornforth his sons in 1644. The former 
borrowed 5/. more, and the latter had 10/. for ten months in 1659. 

1630. The stock of tli3 poor mounted to 20? , the yearly interest being 32s. 5?. of 
this sum was in the hands of the churchwardens, and the remainder out on bond for 
two sums, 8/. 125. 10c?., and 71. lis. 2c?., the odd shillings being " consideracons for 
them." The 51. was handed to Richard Wood in 1632. 

1632-3. Francis Forster, il for the great and good affection he bore unto the poor and 
aged people of Darnton," conveyed his two lesser houses, lately erected in Northgate, 
with liberty to go through his other house and garths for water to the Skearne, for the 
use of six poor men or women, impotent or too old and infirm to labour, born in Dar- 
lington or resident there for three years, to be nominated by his heirs and assigns with 
the assent of the churchwardens, or any two of them ; he and his heirs to repair the 
houses^ or pay 20s. rent-charge out of the other house and garth. The cottages are 
occupied by two widows placed thereby the churchwardens. The thatch was pulled off 
and tiles put on and other repairs to the amount of nearly 30?. done by Miss Russell, 
the owner of the adjoining property on the South, who sold it to Mr. John Smith Dyer. 

1636. The poors stock amounted to 37?. consisting of the charities of Mr. John IAsley, 
Balyfe of Darlington, 4?., Corneforth, 4?., William Johnson, 10?.. and. Robert Sober, 10?., § 
" Maide upe sence by the churchwardens, 2?. : more, William Taj/ler, 5?.: more, Richard 
Pickering, 2?." 

1636. Oct. 10. James Eellasses|| of Owton, co. Pal., esq., bequeaths his " messuage, 
burgage, tenements, and hereditaments that I lately bought of Ralph WilsonlT in Dar- 
lington, with four beast gates in Bracken Moor," " that there shall be severall houses 
built of the front of the said tenement, for the erecting of which I have already made 
good provision of timber, bricke, and stone, and for the furthering and perfecting thereof 
I do bequeath 20?., and the same to be bestowed in the said work, thereby to place work- 
men for a lynningor wooling trade,** in such manner and sort as shall be most needfull 
and usefull for the towns of Blackwell and Darnton, and for the country next adjoin- 
ing," and puts in trust " my well-beloved the Baliff, Burgesses, and the headmen of the 
burrough of Darlington in full power and authority from time to time, so often as need 
shall require, to order and dispose thereof, according to such uses as in my last will and 
testament is here set down and expressed." — "unto my nephew Sr. Wm. Bellasses, kt., 
one piece of plate left me by my uncle called the nutt, which I desire may be an heir- 
lome to his house," — "a tenement in Plumbton, co. Cumberland, called the Hallrigge, 
with another tenement thereunto adjoining called Clarke's tenement," and "my two 

* On Christmas eve, 1670, the owner Widdow Priscott distributed "four lood of coals," 
and at Easter, in bread 3s. 4c?. herself" in the presence of the churchwardens." 

f The extreme minutiae of these charities will be found in the copies of the foundations 
in the Church Account Book, i. 468. 

t The item. "1688, For building foure rood of Mud Wall in the Alms house, i6s."— 
(Church ace), can scarcely refer to this charity. 

§ Bonds for this sum were taken from his son Edmund Sober in 1934 and 1652. 
|| He died 1640. See p. 38. 

U Called in 1655 "one house standing in Blackwellgate now in the occupacon of Raphe 
Wilson which he under pretence detaineth from the poore contrary to the will of James 
Bellase deceased," and which the -wardens were ordered to obtain possession of. The pro- 
perty is in Skinnergate near Blackwellgate corner and is marked "Alms houses left by 
James Bellasses, esq., 1636." These tenements have for many years been occupied by three 
poor widows of the parish appointed by the churchwardens. 

** Qu. if a manufactory of coarse tape was not established there. In 1656 the church- 
wardens received the arrears of the Inkle mony or the sesse for the Inkle Stock, and evi- 
dently made nothing by the speculation wherever its locality was, for in 1661 they paid 
" for takeing downe the Manchester lome 6d-" and in 1662 " received for the loome, of 
Michaell Middleton U. 9s." 



262 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

tenements in Deaton." — " I bequeath the land in Howden and Blackwell in which Sr. 
Win. Bellasses were nominated joynt purchaser bought of Robert Parkinson* and 
Francis Parkinson to be surrendered and made over to the Baliff, Burgesses, and head- 
men of the burrow of Darlington for the setting forward of a trade and to be joyned to 
my house at Darlington, and for such like uses as the house is given and provided for, 
desiring that my said nephew Sir Wm. Bellasses that he will make a surrender of the 
said lands in Blackwell and Howden to the said uses before-mentioned, which I hope he 
will do ;f which if that my said nephew Sir Wm. Bellasses shall refuse, then my will is 
that the said Hallrigge, Clarke's tenement, and the two farms in Deaton shall be to the 
uses, limitation and purpose to be joined with the house at Darnton for the uses afore- 
mentioned.^ 

1640-1. Feb. 26. Henry Hilton, of Hilton, esq., Baron Hilton (i.e. Baron of the Bishop- 
rick) by will devised the whole of his paternal estate for ninety-nine years to the City 
Chamber of London, charged with charities to some forty parishes, of which Darleton 
was to have 24?". annually, to be paid among the poor inhabitants, each individual to 
receive 40s., § and the parochial officers to return a true note of the names of the 
recipients to the next quarter sessions, at which it was to be filed in the sessions records.|| 
His vanity and melancholy might now have occasioned serious doubts as to the sanity 
of his disposing mind. He had deserted the seat of his ancestors and buried himself in 
the seclusion of Billinghurst and Mitchel Grove in Sussex, accompanied only by one 
trusty kinsman, Mr. Nathaniel Hilton, the " faitheful and painefull pastor" of the former 

* 12 Jas. I. Surr. from Robert Parkinson, gen., and Isabella nx. (examined apart from 
her husband) to Wm. Bellasses, esq., and James Bellasses, gen. of one oxgang in the terri- 
tories of Blackwell and one cottage in Blackwell. "This the Howdens." Poor Howdens 
contains four fields comprising about an oxgang (twenty acres), and is (like Blackwell Hill 
or Fidler's Close, the Northernmost close of the Grange grounds) improperly included in 
Darlington township. In the old church book the Lord's Rent is frequently paid to the 
Blackwell collector. 1665, Paid for Howdon part in leading stones to the bakehouse 3d.. 
to Goundry for pinder haver [pinder's oats] Is. 5c?. 

+ He hoped in vain. In 1652 the parish agreed "by the consent of the churchwardens 
and the fower and twenty," to defend Howdens' tenant against Lord Falconbridge, who 
claimed the rent. No surrender was ever made to either the parish or the heir at law of 
Sir Wm., and the property had escheated to the Bishop as part of his copyhold manor of 
Bondgate ; but in 176.9 he ordered a grant to two persons to be nominated by the twenty- 
four, and James Allan and Newby Lowson, "nominated as trustees by the headmen and 
burgesses of the borough," were admitted in 1771. Allan survived, and the property re- 
mained vested in his family till 1830, when Mr- John Allan Wright surrendered it to other 
trustees. There is a road from Geneva House to it (see church accounts, ii. 139, and Vestry 
book for 1840), another from the Croft road bought in 1841, and a third, through the 
Polam Hall Grounds, belonging to Edmund Backhouse, esq. 

% In 1683 and 1693 the land rent, joined with that of Poor Moor, was spent in appren- 
ticing poor children, fitting them out with clothes and for ringing the 5 and 8 o'clock bell 
for the convenience of the linen and woollen trades no doubt. The funds were long spent 
in apprenticing, but in 1828 the inhabitants and headmen resolved that the charity should 
be managed by a committee of twenty-four (in which number are included five trustees, 
and the minister and churchwardens) who are to account to, and have vacancies filled up 
by the Vestry on Easter Tuesday ; that the funds be lent to Linen and Woollen manufac- 
turers whose capital does not exceed 3u0?., in sums not less than 50?. and not moie than 
200?. at interest of one per cent., on two competent householders joining in security ; that 
the sum borrowed be refunded on the manufacturer giving up his business, or being sup- 
posed to have realised the sum of 500?. ; no term of loan to exceed seven years ; surviving 
trustees to surrender on every vacancy to themselves and new trustees appointed by the 
Vestry, at the next court after the appointment. 

In 1769, Poor Howdens land was let at Elizabeth Cade's, " for the benefit of trade by 
Inch of Candle :" a system of auction exploded by the sand-glass plan. 

§ " 1666, Given to severall poor people in their sickness and distress out of Barranet 
Hilton money, as by the paticuler may appear, 31. 18s. 6d- 1682, Expended at Mr. Finly 
about Barnt Hilton money 6c?. : Reced" barnett Hilton mony given to the poore : Received 
Bar' Hilton money \6li. and given to the poor by consent of the neighbours. 1688, Rec'd of 
Baron Hiltons Dole 16ft. and disposed on according to the donor's will, as appeares by re- 
ceipts." The parish books give much less sums as paid to each recipient than the 40s. so 
magnificently intended by the odd and perhaps super- vain testator, but no list occurs before 
1693. 

|| " 1678, Paid Mr. Crosby for fileing the accqt. for Hilton money, Is. 1693, For entring 
(this charity] in the Court Boweles, \s. 




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W?si Fro n.i 



PROTESTANT. 263 

place. His heir at law during the term was to have 100?. annuity, and at its expiration 
to regain possession, provided the claimant should not profess to be the issue of the tes- 
tator's own body. This proviso is repeated more than once with almost insane precau- 
tion, the Baron declaring "to his griefe, that if anie person shall pretend to be a child of 
my body begotten, which I hope noe body will be soe impudent and shameless ; I hereby 
calling God and man to witness that I have no child liveing of my body begotten, and 
if any such shall pretend so to be, I hereby declaire he or she so doing to be a very im- 
posture."* The residue of his estate was to bind five children of his kindred to be 
apprentices, thereby to learn some honest trade to live in an honest vocation. 

John, the heir, perilled the skeleton of an estate in the royal cause ; he would not 
give up his claims, and after the Restoration an amicable decree was obtained, the son 
of the gallant loyalist resumed his property, but the wasted revenue was unequal to the 
charges. Henry his successor complained that " hee and his wife and children have 
nothing to live on ;" and all the payments were at last reduced by one-third,f still 
leaving serious burdens, and ceased in 1739, in the last baron's time, at whose period the 
ancient part of the castle appeared in the state shown in my plate. 

1641. Nov. 20. Francis Forster, and Richard his son and heir, gentn., by Inden- 
ture (reciting that Christopher Forster, butcher, deceased, had by indenture, 1 Jan., 1605, 
demised to the said Francis a close joining on the N. upon the high road to Yarm for 
1000 years) granted the same (now called Carlton close, about 2| acr.) to the four 
churchwardens " of the Colegitt parish Church," and their successors, the profits to go 
to the use of the most poor, aged and impotent of the burrow and town of Darlington and 
Bondgate in Darlington, born there, or resident for three years and by law not removable, 
on the feast of St. John the Baptist and the 20th of December. Power for re-entry in 
case of default, and agreement that the churchwardens might demise the close for one 
year but no longer inserted. J The rents now form part of the Christmas distribution. 

1642. Nov. Thomas Barnes of Darlington, by his last will gave to the poor of Dar- 
lington 101. for a stock. It was in the hands of his son Wm. Barnes in 1655. 

1655. " Reed, of Lawrence Emerson 21. which was given by Raphe Blackwell for 
the use of the poore." 

1655. The churchwardens were ordered to call in the sums left by Barnes, Sober, and 
Corneforth. 

1659. " Reed, of Mr. Glover for his rayles the use of the power, Is." The rails are 
in 1660 described as " att Norgatt end.'' 

1659. Apprentices' Fund. The churchwardens and overseers of the poor of Dar- 
lington township from the Poor Stock purchased§ of William Middleton of Blackwell, 

* This strange proviso evidently points to some eating feeling of domestic disgust. His 
seclusion might be " upon some discontents between him and his wife, they having lived 
apart near 20 years," as well as " upon some discontents between him and his brother ;" 
neither of which were much to be wondered at if it be true that he made his charitable 
will " to merit pardon for 30 years, vicious life led with the Lady Jane Shelley, [his execu- 
trix]." When Guillim coolly wrote about the " great grandson of this generous gentleman" 
one can imagine the " melancholy baron" giving a twitch of agony in his coffin. He was 
buried in Old St. Pauls, but Lady Jane Shelley never expended the 1000Z. left to make him 
a tomb like Dr. Donne's, according to Hilton's wishes. Ralph Spearman of Eachwick (the 
veritable Jonathan Oldbuck of Sir Walter) mentions an on dit that the Baron conceived 
displeasure at his next heir (Robert, who survived him only a few months) for refusing to 
come to his immediate presence till he had finished a game at cards. 

f This parish joined in suit for the money in 1653 and 1680, in which last year it " paid 
Finley for Mr. Atrick [Ettrick] and Lady Hilton when they promised Baronett Hilton 
money." Some six parishes stuck out, and a decree for reducing the dole to 16?. was ob- 
tained by the then baron in 1691, but, before 1666, Darlington had compounded for 16?., of 
which 1 . 15s. was apportioned to Blackwell. Mr. Ettrick's man was generally money- 
bearer. " 1683, To Mr. Aterrieks man 5s., for a treat for him 2s. 10c?. 

It will be observed that the local meaning of baron was forgotten, and the burgesses of 
Darlington knowing that the family were not peers of the realm, thought that baronet 
must have been the baron's proper title. 

t " 1670. Dec. 24, to the poore, Forsters daile. U. 10s."—Ch. Ace. 

§ Churchwardens' account book 1767-1801, p. 65. being returns to the parliamentary 
inquiry of 1 786 by Geo. Allan. «• 1659, Dece. 22th : pd. to James Midleton for : 6 : achers 
land on Blackwell moore for the use of the power of Darnton 15?." 



264 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

six acres of copyhold land upon Blackwell Moor, now called Poor Moor, which were 
surrendered by him accordingly, the rents to be applied for the placing out poor boys 
as apprentices. The property now comprehends three closes of nearly thirteen acres. 

At the Vestry of 1828, this fund (erroneously styled Middleton's Charity) was ordered 
to be applied in giving a sum not less than 3/. nor more than 51. to each apprentice, to 
be laid out in necessary expenses and clothing during his term at the discretion of the 
churchwardens and overseers ; the boy not to be bound in the manner of a parish 
apprentice ; and a statement by the said officers of their accounts to be laid before the 
Vestry for passing the ordinary churchwardens' accounts each year. These resolutions, 
as well as those concerning Bellasses' charity, were approved by the Charities' Commis- 
sioners, and were printed in 1830. 

1675. Mar. 1. John Cornforth, yeoman, Blackwell, gave by will 40/. to trustees, 
therewith to purchase land or put out for consideration, the profit to be distributed 
amongst the poor of Blackwell within the twelve days of Christmas. Whayre Fawcett 
(who married Jane, testator's sister) was compelled to pay this sum by the Bishop on 
inquisition of deceased's property, but it continued in his and his son's (Captain Whayre 
Fawcett) hands (the interest or Cornforth dole being distributed with Baron Hylton's 
dole * every Christmas) till 1740, when " in regard great danger and difficulty had 
attended the putting out the said sums at interest," this and Prescott's legacy (together 
60/.) were invested in a copyhold field, formerly the waste of the Lord called Stick Bitch, 
surrendered from Prescott Pepper, esq., to George Allan, jun., esq., and his sequels, in 
trust for the poor of Blackwell. The land in question is the orchard opposite the Nag's 
Head, between Darlington and Croft, and now lets for 12/. yearly, which is paid to 
Blackwell poor. 

1671. Sobers 10/., and 5/. left by the brother of Anthony Elgie (who held it) were 
out at use for the poor. 

1686. May 22. Thomas Barker, of East Newbiggin, yeoman, charged his lands 
there with 20s. yearly to Darlington parish. The sum is paid by the Marquis of Lon- 
donderry's tenant, and forms part of the Christinas distribution. 

1704. July 18. George Buck, of Sadbury, gent., " being now attained to good old age, 
and not knowing how soon my summons may be to my last end," by will gave 100/. to 
be laid out in lands, three parts of the profits to be paid to the poor of Darlington parish, 
and the fourth part to the poor of Sadburry, to be paid yearly the first and second Sun- 
days after the eleventh of November to the minister, and churchwardens, and overseers 
of the poor of the said parishes, to be by them distributed to the most indigent. This 
100/. was laid out in the purchase of a copyhold close called Butt Close, alias Been Close, 
and an acre of waste land adjoining, and surrendered to Michael Hodgson, of Field 
House, and his heirs in trust. The property contains three parcels of about|3'- acres, 
and adjoins the South East end of Northgate bridge, and was surrendered that the 
premises should from time to time be surrendered as the said ministers, churchwardens, 
and overseers should appoint. The rents (after paying Sadberge its proportion) now 
form part of the Christmas distribution. There is still a " Buck " Inn at Sadberge. 

1705. Feb. 2. Arthur Prescott, gent., of Darlington, by will gave to trustees 40/. to 
be placed out at interest, one-half to be yearly distributed among the poor widows of 
Darlington, the other among the poor of Blackwell. The Darlington 20/. was in Mow- 
bray's bank, which failed in 1814, but G. L. Hollingsworth, esq., one of the partners, 
paid the amount in 1827, and in 1828 it was invested in the purchase of 19/. 13s. Id. 
new four per cents., and formed part of a sum standing in the names of Robert Botch- 
erby and George Horner. The dividends form part of the Christmas distribution. For 
the Blackwell moiety see John Coineforth's charity. 

1713. Apr. 19. Dame Mary Calverley, by indenture, assigned to trustees 1000/. due 

* Sax. dcel, a portion. Many charities are still called doles in Durham. The funeral 
dole is perhaps extinct. It was to procure rest to the soul of the deceased, that he might 
find his judge propitious, as we learn from Chrysostom's Homily xxxii. in Matt. cap. non. 



PROTESTANT. 265 

to her on bond from Edward Pollen, and by indenture of even date they declared it to 
be in trust for such persons as she should appoint, and in default to lay out, after her 
decease, the principal, or so much as should come to their hands in the purchase of 
lands and tenements, and to apply the rents, (and interest until such purchase should be 
made) for the support of a charity school intended to be established at Darlington, for 
instructing poor children there in the principles of the Christian religion according to 
the Church of England, and for clothing them, and teaching them to read, write, and 
cast accounts, and buying them books, and putting them out apprentices to trades, and 
for the maintenance of a schoolmaster, under such regulations as the trustees should 
think proper. Vacancies in the trustees to be filled up by the survivors under hand and 
seal. 

A subscription* was commenced in 1714 on the consideration that " profaneness and 
debauchery are greatly owing to a gross ignorance of the Christian religion," and in the 
following year Lady Calverley gave 150/. due from Mr. Kitt Pinckney to her. In 1719 
Robert Noble of Darlington, apothecary, charged on the same house as his charity, 40s. 
yearly for the use of the Blue Coat Charity School, on condition that the several 
masters should be licenced by the bishop, be conformable to the liturgy as then estab- 
lished, and train up the boys in the principles and communion of the same, in default 
legacy to cease. The requirements have not been obeyed and the legacy is not received. 

In 1722 Pollen's bond produced 650/., and in 1729 the capital stock of the school 
amounting to 900/. (lent on bond to George Allan, sen.), it was thenceforth supported on 
the same, voluntary subscriptions having ceased. In 1750 George Allan (the son) ac- 
counted for 1280/., and in 1800, 1392/. 9s. stock three per cent consols were transferred 
into the names of Samuel Forster, Jonathan Backhouse, and Stephen Buttery, which 
were afterwards changed to Jonathan Backhouse, junior, Samuel Forster, junior, and 
Thomas Buttery, being transferees from the survivor of the first three. 

There does not appear to have been any room appropriated to the school, and the 
scholars have been transferred to the master of the National School, who receives 18/. 
per annum for their tuition, his bill for school requisites, and 155. for firing. The 
children receive an entire suit of clothing yearly, being in number twelve ; they are 
named by the trustees and are called the Blue coat hoys, though their peculiar dress is 
discontinued. The dividends amount to 41/. 15s. 4c?. 

1714. May 1. Matthew Lamb! gave to George Allan, of Darlington, merchant, and 
the churchwardens and their successors, heirs, and assigns, his yearly rent of 12s. of 
lawful Britannish money, charged on a burgage in Blackwellgate^ and paid yearly on 
Good Friday ; to be distributed at the discretion of George Allan, his heirs and assigns, 
and the churchwardens of Darlington to twelve of the poor and needfullest widows liv- 
ing in the town Is. each, on Good Fryday. The amount is given accordingly at Christ- 
mas by the churchwardens. 

1715. May 10. Dame Mary Calverly, widow of Sir John Calverly, by will directed 
the residue of a mortgage debt of 15(.0Z. upon Sir John Husband s estate at Ipsley, War- 
wicks, (after payment of legacies) to be invested at interest, or in the purchase of lands, 
the yearly dividends or rents to be paid amongst such poor people in any of the parishes 
between j and including Northallerton and Darlington, if an object required, as her ex- 
ecutors and trustees should think fit. Up to the year 1821 the churchwardens received 
10/. from her representatives, which they distributed to the poor of Darlington. Since 
that time nothing has been received An application was made in 1830 to Beilby 
Thompson, esq., of Escrick Park for the money since 1820, when Richard Thompson 

* Papers. R. H. A. 
t Steward of the Borough Court, 1710. His son William was deputy postmaster at Nor- 
wich, and becoming a defaulter in about 10007., extents were issued against his sureties John 
Raine, of Snowhall, and his father. The crown sold the latter's houses in the West Row 
(High Row) and the Sheep-market or East Row in 4 Geo. II. 
X Formerly the Golden Lyon Inn. 

2l 



266 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

(who had paid it) died, but his steward answered that the case had been fully investi- 
gated at York by the Commissioners of Charities, who decided against any claim upon 
him ; that none of his estates were liable ; and that he was not executor to his uncle 
Richard. 

1719. May 20. Robert Noble, of Darlington, apothecary,* charged his burgage on 
the High Row with 20s. yearly to the churchwardens on the 29 Sep., who were to dis- 
tribute the same from time to time to the poor of the town not receiving sess. The sum 
forms part of the Christmas distribution, being paid by Mr. Joseph Forster. 

1720. May 20. Catharine Catherick, spinster, by willf charged her two copyhold 
messuages and orchard in Bondgate, in Darlington, with 525. annually to the minister 
and churchwardens on the 1st. May and 1st November, to be laid out in I2d. worth of 
bread every Sunday, and distributed amongst the poor people of the town in their discre- 
tion most needful. The 21. 12s. is paid annually in December, and bread to the amount 
of 4s 4d. given away on the last Sunday in every month in Id. and 2d. loaves, to poor 
persons attending divine service, according to a list, the vacancies of which are filled up 
by the minister and churchwardens. 

1791. Apr. 11. Elizabeth Walker, widow, by will proved at York, 1792, gave to 
the minister and churchwardens 501. to be laid out on government security, and the in- 
terest divided on Christmas-day among twelve poor widows belonging to the town, as 
the minister and churchwardens should think fit. 581. 3s. five per cent Loyalties, 
standing in the names of James Topham, Stephen Buttery, and Shaftoe Carr, were 
bought in 1800, and the dividends form part of the Christinas distribution. 

1809. Jan. 1. Shaftoe Carr, by will gave to the churchwardens of the township of 
Darlington 501. to be invested at interest, which was to be distributed on St. Thomas's 
day yearly, among such poor people belonging to the township, as they should think fit. 
501. stock five per cents, was bought in 1819 in the names of Robert Botcherby and 
George Horner, reduced to 521. 10s. new four per cents., the dividends augmenting the 
Christmas distributions. 

1820. June 20. Mrs. Mary Pease, widow of Mr. Joseph Pease, of Darlington, 
woollen manufacturer, having purchased property in Chairgate, otherwise Glover's 
Weind, or Post House Weind, from Richard Scott and wife, and built thereon four alms- 
houses, by indenture of this date Scott's trustees convey the same, with a piece of ground 
used as a common road to the same and to dwelling-houses of Edward Pease the elder, 
and Joseph Pease the elder, and John Crawford, for a residue of a term of 980 years, to 
Edw. Pease, Jos. Pease, sen. (dead), John Pease, Jos. Pease, jun., John Beaumont Pease, 
Edward Pease, jun. (dead), Isaac Pease (dead), and Henry Pease, on trust to repair and 
insure the alms-houses, and permit four poor widows, aged sixty at least, of good moral 
character and not of the society of Quakers, to dwell therein, on paying 5s. a piece annu- 
ally, these sums to be remitted in the discretion of the trustees, and to be used in repair- 
ing, insuring, and incidental trust charges, the surplus to accumulate in the funds or 
other security until, with compound interest, it should amount to 201., when the alms- 
houses should be rent free, and the interest be applied in trust charges, and the surplus 
divided among the alms-women, or accumulate until the next Christmas-day after the 
appointment of new trustees and then divided, so that the accumulation might always 
begin anew with new trustees. The trustees to fill up vacancies, and expulsion to follow 
marriage or gross impropriety in the alms women. No person to continue trustee after 
ceasing to be a member of the monthly meeting of Friends of Darlington district, and 
when the trustees are reduced to three, their powers to vest in the society of Friends at 
their monthly meetings, who were there to nominate as soon as convenient fit persons 
to make up the number of twelve to whom the premises were to be assigned. 

* " Here lyeth the body of Mr. Robert Noble, of Darlington, apothecary, who died on 
the 15 of July in the 41 year of his age Anno Dom'i 1719." Arms. On a chief a lion pass- 
ant (same as Noble of Reresbie, Leic.) ; impaling, a chevron between 3 covered cups. — 
Entrance of Nave, Darlington Ch. f " To Elizabeth Betessu half a crown." 



PROTESTANT. 



267 



The 5s. rents have been occasionally demanded, but the cost of repairs, &c, have, it 
is believed, as yet prevented any investment. Four poor widows occupy the almshouses 
according to the donor's intentions. 

The several charities distributed at Christmas* are usually augmented by 
a portion of the sacrament money, and some of the widows receive more in 
proportion, in respect of Elizabeth Walker's charity. The poor of the other 
townships of the parish, and occasionally persons of other parishes (if deserv- 
ing), being resident in Darlington, receive a portion of the money thus dis- 
tributed.*)* 

There is another item of parochial revenue in the St. Paul's rents, being 
ancient rents reserved on church property J leased in perpetuity, and paid on 
St. Paul's day, when much church business was formerly transacted. § The 

* 1660, Given to the poor att Christs Tide, 11. 3s. 3d. 
+ Thomas Morton, of Darlington, left £3 to Gainford poor, before 1664, and in 1637-8 
Edward Morton, of Morton Tinmoth, par. Gainford, was bur. here. In 1688, Mary Finley, 
of Darlington, widow, gave a third part of Broadgates (U. 8s.) to Barnard Castle poor. 
t I subjoin the pith of the original deed, from the wardens, of the burgage, afterwards 

the Kilnegarth in Hundgate. It seems the pay- 
ment on St. Paul' s day was an after arrange- 
ment for convenience. " Christ, (xp'c.) To all 
by whom this indented charter shall be seen 
or heard, John Thomson, John Gragrete, John 
Thomson, barker, and William Stapilton, war- 
dens ( Iconomi, literally economists), or masters of 
the fabric of the collegiate church of Derlyngton, 
greeting. Know us the said wardens, or masters, 
by and with the consent of the four and twenty 
electors, to have given, &c, to Stephen Bland, of 
Derlyngton, our one messuage or burgage, in 
Hundgate. as it lies there between the burgage of 
the said Stephen, on the west, and the venell 
called Hundgate Welle, on the east. To have, &c, 
of us, the said masters, and our successors, the 
wardens or masters of the said church, for the 
time being, to the said Stephen Bland, his heirs 
and assigns, for ever. Paying and rendering to 
us and our said successors yearly 3s. id-, at the 
terms of Penticost and St. Martin, in winter, by 
equal portions. And if it happen that the said 
annual rent shall be in arrear and unpaid for half- 
a-year, no sufficient distress being found in the 
same messuage, then it shall be fully lawful for 
the said wardens, for the time being, the said 
messuage, &c, to re-enter, and peaceably re-have 
and hold. &c. And the said Stephen Bland shall 
repair, sustain, build, and repair, the said messu- 
age, in all necessaries and edifices, at the proper 
expenses of him and his heirs for ever. [Usual 
warranty.] In witness whereof, to this, our pre- 
sent indented charter, we have caused to be affix- 
ed the common seal of the said collegiate church. 
Dated on the feast of the conversion of St. Paul, 
A.D., 1507-" (Seal as in margin). Endorsed: — 
" An auncient dead frome the churchewardens of 
Darnton to Stephen Bland, for a house in Hon- 
gaite. — Hond Gayt Hows." — (Translated from 
orig. penes R. H. Allan, esq.) 
A dinner was enjoyed by the minister and war- 
(., and " towlling the bell then " 2d., left a very 
handsome assistance to the rates. In 1642, the puritans fed two ministers, two churchwar- 
dens, the clerk and sexton for 3s. 8d. only. But, miserabile diclu, the price of dinners and 
the number of feeders has so increased, and the rents by neglect diminished, that now the 
annual dinner cannot be kept up, and the rents accumulate for 3 or 4 years until a proper 
sum is raised. In 1763, the churchwardens were to " pay at the least 1 guinea for the pub- 
lic dinner on Easter Tuesday, and 6s. a-head more for every one of the company, which 




§ And, as usual, a drink perpetrated, 
dens, which costing some 6s. 8d. or 7. 



268 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

list in the notes is from the church accounts of 1630-1-2, with minutes of the 
later owners.* 



P. 203 and seq.] I extract from a letter of an antiquary (dated " Spa, Belgique, Sep. 
15, '49,) on some of the cruciculce on these pages. " 1 think you will find the zones of 
our lady (p. 203) in the York Minster Inventory, in Dugdale, but what they were, I 
know not, save that they were doubtless ex votos, and hung around shrines, which seem 
to have been curiously bedizened with all manner of odds and ends, rings, beads, monilia, 
as for instance the stag, probably the hart couchant of Richard II., a badge so curiously 
shewn in his portrait at Wilton, in which all the attendant angels wear his livery of the 
hart, appended to their necks. 

" Each altar required a bell, (pp. 203-4) and they took the host to the sick, with hand- 
bell and candle. I just now saw from my window the priest issue from the church, 
bearing a large silver ciborium, and preceded by his acolyte, who, 'in the hurry of the 
emergency, had slipped a rochet over the blue butchers-like smock-frock here worn by 
all the lower orders, and with lantern and bell scuffled away to some one in extremis. 
The distinction between sance bells and sacring bells is remarkable, the latter, I suppose, 
properly to be used at the elevation in the mass.f 

exceed one-and -twenty. The same rule for St. Paul's day." " 1768, Jan, 25. To Paul 
dinner, £1 1$.: Ministers and curates extraordinaries 5s.: Bell-ringers' drinks 5s. 6d.: and 
servants 2s. fid." In 1830, the rents were thus applied: — " Feb. 24. 64 old men dined at 
Three Tuns, Is. 6d., Al. 16s. The above 64 old men averaged 66 years of age. Total amount 
of their ages, 4,224 years." 

* Mris. Alice Tomlinson for her house on the Headrawe (John Thompson, also subject to 
Pape's charity) 12d- John Glover for his house (Talbot Inn) 12s. Buhner Priscot for his 
kilnegarth in Hungaite (afterwards the Allans' residence, now R. Thompson's property) 
3s. Ad. Mr. Tho. Barnes for a burgage in Skinergaite (in the Rose and Crown yard, Thomas 
Horner's in 1818) 8d. Henry Booth for John Glover's house in Skinergait (Punch Bowl 
yard ; Tho. Tutin 6d., John Dixon 8d., W. Dixon Is. 2d., Miss Robinson 6d., Win. Robinson 
of Haughton 6d.) As. Henry Elstobb for Renton's house in Skinnergate 18d. Ant. Renold 
for his house 18d. John Stephenson for a house in Skinnergayte 18d. (In 1818, 2 houses in 
Skinnergate, Rob. Walters and F. Priestman, paid Is. 6d. each.) Tho. Garth for his house 
in Skinergait 3-s. (Rose and Crown.) Ann Wilson widdow nere the well in Skinergaite for 
her house 3s. (Dr. Peacock.) Mris- Dorethie Hearing for her house 3s. 4d. (Ellerson's house 
in Blackwellgate.) John Vasey for his house and garth at Blackwellgait end 6s- (Vasey 
Close, lost by subdivision in building plots) Mr. John Turner for his burgage next Ben- 
net Hall (elsewhere Bennit field, Dove or Dow Crofts, late Dovers Crofts) 8d. Mr. John 
Cowton for his house at the church gaites 8s. Ad. (afterwards inhabited by parsons Hope 
and Bell.) Mr. Geo. Ricatson for the Lambe Flatt (alias Lampe Flat, now Lamb's Flats) 
3s. More of Mr. Ricatson for house in the Weand \2d. (elsewhere Vend, now Woodhouse's 
house in Posthouse Wynd.) Wydow Rutter for one house in the Wend that was John 
Ward of Hurwourthe (alias in Chairegate) \2d. Mr. Buhner He for his house in Ratten 
Rawe 6s- 8d. (Church Row, Miss Ness and Mr. Milburn each pay 3s. Ad.) Rob. He for his 
doore into the church yeard 6d. (" Mr. Robson's house the Flower Pot cou'd not get any 
thing for the door into the church yard this year shou'd be 6ei") John Middleton for Geo. 
Marshall's house in the borrow 6s. 8d. (Joint Stock Bank.) Roger Specke for his house in 
Bongayt 18d. (Wm. Milburn Is. the 6d. was lost before 1683.) John Dickson for Belies 
house in Bongate, 3d. (F. Furness.) Tho. Wilson of Brafferton for his house in Norgayt \2d. 
(Edward Pease, formerly Nathan Robson.) John Harrison for house in Norgayt 3s. (J. H. 
Mowbray.) Wm. Stainsbye for his house in Norgayt 6s- 8d. (J. Kipling.) Mr. Skepper for 
a close at Cockerton bridge end Is. (Skipper Close, Dr. Harper.) Vincent Hodgshon for his 
house 6s. 8d. Margery Budles for her house 3d.— Total Al. 8s., reduced to 'Si. 10s. 3d. in 1818, 
and now becoming gradually less. 

+ Certainly. Vide Eccl. Proceedings, Sur. Soc. p. 137. And in despite of both Cam- 
bridge and Oxford societies, I believe that the sance bell was quite distinct from the 
Sacringe bell, and for a different purpose. 

The saint-bell calls ; and, Julia, I must read 

The proper lessons for the saints now dead ; 

To grace which service, Julia, there shall be . 

One holy collect said or sung for thee. 



PROTESTANT. 269 

"Are you sure the word is revale? (p. 205.) Can it not be renah ? [n being hastily- 
read «.] I have met with it before, but have never made it out. Renale might be the 
short ' polka,' so much in fashion, reaching only to the hips. Tissues of various mixed 
colours are often named in old times and Mac medle, (p. 208.) I take it to be nothing 
more than our ' Oxford mixture,' or pepper and salt. Cloth de Lyre fib. J I imagine to 
have been fabricated at Lira,* in the north of France. The cup ad modum columbini 
was in form of a columbine, and an exquisite standing cup it must have been. The 
flower was a favourite device : I speak without any means of reference here." 

P. 200.] In Jas. Allan's MSS., an office copy of Collen's account occurs. The last 
two sums of 25^. 4d. and 705. , refer to a chantry at West Raineton, and another in 
Houghton-le-Spring church. In line 11 of this page for chanters read chantry. 

P. 213.] The three churches of Darlington, and Black well Grange are conspicuous 
objects from Newtown Hill House, which stands near the centre of Newtown or New- 
ton Ketton estate, and from which upwards of thirty churches and chapels are said to be 
seen with the naked eye, and even York Minster with a good glass. 

P. 218.] It appears from the application of the money collected by the briefs of 1705, 
that the canted roofs of the church were lowered in pitch in 1707. The carpenters were 
" to take down all the wood roofes of the three high pitches, from the top to the bottoms 
thereof, and in re-building of the same, to lower the said roofes according to designe — to 
shirt the same, and every peice of shirting, above 2 inches broade, to drive or put in two 
nailes at every sparr — to lay the flooer, and plaine all the boards, on the upper side 
thirof — to make a gutter in every of the said pitches betwixt the severall roofes and the 
battlements — to sow and dres all rabters, dormans, and wall plates, and to put in what 
new dormans as shall be thought necessary — and to turne, dres, and order the old ones 
as they shall be directed — to sow, dres, and put in new sparrs where the old ones are 
wanting or decayed.'' The same style was therefore to be kept, and new wood only to 
be put in where wanted. The trustees to find timber, and the contractors, nails, and to 
have 601. Battlements were to be built along the side, of freestone, from the quarry at 
Brussleton, " 8 inches thick and 36 inches hie, lup and crese," for 24£. 

P. 221.] In Elizabeth's time, much energy seems to have been exerted to Christian- 
ize the massss, by means of voluntary intinerant preachers, who were either dignitaries 
of the church or energetic incumbents. The custom continued for some time ; and from 
Bishop Barnes's list of the preachers to be engaged, " from Michaolmes 1578, untill 
Michaellmes 1579, of their benevolent good wylls in assisting him in hisgreate cure and 
paroche, over and besides ther ordenarie quarterlie and inonetlielye sermones in their owne 
peculier cures and churches," I gather that, besides one preached by himself, a sermon 
was to be preached in Darlingetone by each of the following clergymen : — Mr. Leaver, 
(a prebendary), Mr. Archedeacone of Durham, Mr. Henry Nanton, (a prebendary), and 
Mr. Thomas Wheatone, (vicar of Coniscliffe.) 

P. 222.] Rennet's Register mentions one Parish as an intruder here, in Cromwell's 
time ; he conformed after the restoration, and had a living in Yorkshire, but was ejected. 
— Jas. Allans MSS. 

P. 223.] In 1661, Sir George Fletcher, bart., the then owner of the Deanery, pre- 
sented George Bell to the " rectory,'' who waited on Bishop Cosin with the presentation, 
on the vacancy caused by the death of Robert Hope, last incumbent. The bishop denied 
the right of the impropriator, the written presentation was returned, and he presented 

Dead when thou art, dear Julia, thou shalt have 
A trental sung by virgins o'er thy grave ; 
Meantime we two will sing the dirge of these, 
Who, dead, deserve our best remembrances. 

Herrick's Hesperides, no. 436. 
t But if named from the style of manufacture as noted p. 208*, may it not be freely trans- 
lated Lute-string ? 



270 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Bell himself, but Fletcher detained the churchyard from the new parson until he obtain- 
ed a request for it. In 1693, Lord Barnard, purchaser from Fletcher, presented George 
Thomson. The bishop admitted him in compliment, to his lordship, but denied the 
right of the latter to collate. On this occasion, George Bell, rector of Croft, voluntarily 
wrote to the Rev. Mr. Pickering, stating that his father was admitted to the curacy by 
Bishop Cosin, that the question raised "is matter of wonder to me that hath ' frequently 
heard that Mr. Grant, Mr. Hope, and Mr. Thomson, [Thomlinson ?] enjoyed and entered 
upon the abovesaid living by the same power before the rebellion against King Charles 
the first, that my father held it from 1661, nor did the impropriator of Darlington 
church ever collate any minister. - - - The present candidate for the place Mr. Hall, 
[who succeeded Thomson], who officiates in the parish church, is a person whom I never 
saw ; so that at the instance of a friend of mine, though I be a stranger to you, I shew 
my respect to justice." 

In another letter he requests Thomson not to subpaena him to Durham, not being 
very capable of taking a journey, and ends: — '' God grant me heaven, for this world 
is not a place for clergymen to live in with ease like other men." He states that his 
father accepted the living " by the report of a bill read twice in the House of Commons 
to make every market town p. ann. which became frustrate/' 

Disappointed in the collation dispute, Lord Barnard in 1710 sued Thomson and 
wished to deprive him of his surplice fees, small as the living was. The action was de- 
fended by subscription, and failed. His lordship depended, inter alia, on his presenta- 
tion, which was denied. 

In 1712, Hall was presented by Lord Vane. (Orig. Documents, Jas. Allan's MSS.J 

*** William Dunbar, one of the very best of the old Scottish poets, and who was an 

itinerant preaching churchman of the order of St. Francis, about 1480, in one of his 

pieces makes the devil appear to him in the likeness of his patron saint, with a religious 

dress, and advises him to renounce the world and be a friar; and the poet, hinting that 

he would go to heaven with more satisfaction if invested with a Bishop's robes, continues 

" Gif evir my fortoun wes to be a freir, 
The dait thairof is past full raony a yeir ; 

For in to every lusty toun and place 

Off all Yngland, from Berwick to Kalice, 
I haif into thy habeit maid gud cheir. 

In freir's weid full fairly haif I fleichit ; 
In it haif I in pulpet gone and preichit 

In Demtoun kirk, and eik in Canterherry ; 

In it 1 past at Dover owre the ferry 
Throw Piccardy, and there the peple teichit." 

t4-f 1581, Died James Forrest, of D., "parioche clerk e : to be buryed in the pa- 
rioche churche of Darlingtone neere to the stalls next vnto the quire doore : I desire the 

churchwardens and xxiiij of the sayd towne to be so good vnto Katherine my 

grant her soome benefite of my sayd office for one yere after my decease toward her re- 
liefe and bringinge vp of my children : I will that my wife paye vnto the colyar of 
Windlinton 3s. 4d. : rest to be divided betwene Katherine my wife and my two child- 
ren Win, Forrest and that other wherof she is not yet delivred and doe make theime 
[all three, unborn baby and all I suppose] joyntly executors." Inventory mentions the 
hall, the chamber by the hall, and the chamber beside the entrye, in which were a par 
of claricords (for practise in psalmody, no doubt), 5s\," and "ij paynted clothes, 35." 
Parish clerks would never dream of burial in churches now, but at that time when 
learning was a prized jewel, being selected from the most highly educated inhabitants, 
as the beauty of the early registers, which they kept, testify, they sustained a much 
higher rank in society, and apparently exacted higher fees in proportion. 




[Old Toll Booth, <kc, Darlington.] 



DIVISION IV. 



©©MUM X@< 



Darlington parish is composed of lands and burgages held under several 
tenures. 

The whole of the copyhold portions belong to the episcopal Manor of 
Bondgate, in Darlington, for which two Halmot* Courts are held annually. 
Archdeacon-Newton is principally leasehold under the Archdeacon of Dur- 
ham.-)- Other small territories in the parish are leasehold under the Bishop 
and the Dean and Chapter. The freehold is partly rent-free, but some por- 
tions pay small rents to the Bishop (see Blackwell manor), and a large pro- 
portion of that within the township of Darlington is in the Borough of Dar- 
lington^ which is a prescriptive episcopal one.§ 

The Borough constitutes a distinct episcopal freehold manor, for which 



* Hallmot — the mote or assembly met in the customary hall. 
+ Lord Redesdale is the lessee of the principal portion. 

X The borough includes the market-place and the greater part of the old gates or streets 
except Bondgate, with three farms called Brankin Moor, Geneva House, and the Dog and 
Gun. The boundaries are kept up in the highway assessments, and are sufficiently detailed 
In Surtees for the purposes of future antiquaries. The freehold, not comprised in the 
borough and Priestgate, is, with all the other tenures, in the township of Bondgate. The 
buildings on Bakehouse Hill are presented in 1741 as granted as copyholds and as "in- 
croachments got from the freehold of the Burrow Streets," and the jury presented that the 
Lord could not grant any more waste there, it belonging to the common town street and 
king's highway. 

§ Perhaps the freedom from toll of the burgesses at Darlington and Auckland markets, 
with other exemptions, were granted by Pudsey at the same period as he did the like good 
for Durham, which was also governed by a bailiff. 



272 DOMESTIC. 

Courts Leet and Baron are held twice a year, though formerly the latter 
were held about every three weeks. There is the usual steward who jointly 
with the Bailiff* presides over the Court ; indeed since about 1710 the two 
offices have been united in one person, appointed by the Bishop (Francis 
Mewburn, esq., present Bailiff and Steward). The Bailiff performs by his 
officers (the Serjeants or constables) the duties of a greeve, but having the 
full management of the borough for the Bishop, is also clerk of the market,"f 
and acts in summoning public meetings and permitting exhibitions in the 
public streets as a MayorJ does in an incorporated borough. Some obsolete 
powers will appear in the annals which follow. In the older records, a clerk 
of the court,§ two constables, four afferors|| and searchers of the markets, 
tasters of ale, bread, and butter, two searchers of black leather, ^[ two ditto 
for red, two ditto for weights, two overseers of le Tubbewell, two ditto of 
Skinnergait well, and four grassmen and a hird-man for Brankin Moor 
appear as annual officers, and a common beadle,** and a cryer or bellman*f-*|- 

* Fee 100s. and the rent of a close of land (now " Bailiff's Close") at Dodmires, Bank 
Top, which was given by Edw. Backhouse, esq., in 1809 in lieu of " Court Close" in the 
Croft road. 

The Bailiff was more connected with the Court Leet, the Court Baron was a mere manor- 
ial one, and often held by the steward alone. 

The burgesses on every change in ownership, by death or otherwise, are to be admitted 
on the rolls and thereupon become free of toll, and are to appear to do suit twice a year at 
the Courts Leet. 

f The bishops had power to create and rule markets. " 1620, For that there haith beene 
at this courte greate complaint made of the negligence of borrowmen in giveing attendance 
to Mr. Bailiffe of this borrough for the ryding or walking the faires and markettes upon 
such cheiffe faire dayes as heretofore haith been accustomed for the proclaminge thereof 
in the Kings Mat's name and the Lord Bishopp of Durham the chiefe Lord of this Bor- 
rough, the same being a principall parte of theire service which they owe unto the said 
Lord Bishopp ; And therefore in tyme may be a disparaigment to his lordships Roialties 
and services in this place. It is therefore thought meet and so ordered by this Courte that 
everye Borrowman within this Borrough of Darlington shall upon everye cheiffe and heade 
faire day from henceforth eyther himselfe or some other sufficyent man for him ( with some 
decent weapon in theire handles, whereby they may be distinguished from other ordinarie 
merkett people) repaire unto the Tolboothe of Darlington by nyen of the clock in the fore- 
noone of each of the said heade faire dayes to give theire attendaunce upon Mr. Bailiffe for 
the tyme being for the better grate and more orderlie and dewe execution of the said 
service." 

The bishop had his own standard of weights and measures which he could alter at will. 
An established corn measure is mentioned in Pudsey's time [Surtees, I. 27]. In 1727 pro- 
per avoirdupoise weights were delivered to the Bailiff from His Majesty's exchequer for 
the use of the borough. 

J The Bailiff of Darlington occurs in company with the Mayors of Stockton and Hartle- 
pool in 1433 as swearing with the other magnates of the Liberty of Durham, before the 
bishop in the cathedral, to observe an article mentioned in certain royal letters to the pre- 
late, who summoned his principal lieges. — Surtees, i. cxxxi. 

§ Robert Hall, the first master of the Free School, signed as such in memorandums en- 
dorsed on deeds registered in the Borough Books. 

|| To fix the amount of fines not expressly assessed by the jury. 

^ Shoes sold in the market of bad and insufficiently tanned leather were tryed by "six 
honest and expert tryers" on oath, and if found bad, forfeited, and the owner amerced. 

** Garvan Whaller was amerced in 1624 "for beating the common beedle of the town." 

ft It has been held by the bailiffs that persons exercising the vocation of bellman in 
opposition to the officer appointed by the bailiff cannot recover their charge in the borough 
court. Edward Coates, painter et preco feralis [a cryer of fairs or qu. of funerals ?] bur. 1632. 
Margaret Longstaff, qondam bell woman of D., widow, bur. 1726-7- John Longstaff, town 
cryer [alias bellman], bur. 1731-2. The Longstaffes of Darlington were public men in their 
way. Have we not seen George Langstaffe's importance in the church accounts, whose 
relation, Thomas [salary 6s. 8cL], reigned in his sexton's stead. John L. was Thomas's 
understrapper. Wm. Longstaff, parish clerk, of liquid memory, d. 1825. The name is 
abundant in the vale of Tees, and begins with our register and continues down. A Long- 
staffe, of Darlington, should have been its historian, not a mere namesake of Westmoreland 



13ADELE HOSPITAL. 273 

whose offices were of longer terra, occur. Many of these officers have dis- 
appeared. 

Such is the constitution of the town. The rest of this division will consist 
of its domestic events in chronological order. 

1170. Died Saint Godric, of Finchale, near Durham. Reginald (his co-temporary) in 
an account of his miracles gives us the sole evidence of a hospital at Bay dale for lepers, 
which probably originated the free chapel that existed long after the cessation of the 
disease made the former establishment useless * There is, says he, a vill in the bishopric 
called Hailtune [Haleton or Halughton, the ancient name of Haughton-le-Skerne] well 
known from all other towns in that region, in which dwelt a widow and her only daugh- 
ter who was grievously tormented with a most loathsome leprosy. The mother re- 
married a man who soon began to view the poor girl with the greatest horror, and to 
torment and execrate her after the usual manner of a step-father. The mother yearned 
towards her offspring by another, and did all she could to screen her from her husband's 
persecution, yet could not admit her to any society not even her own family. She fled 
for aid to the priest of the vill, who, moved with compassion, procured by his entreaties 
the admission of the damsel to " the hospital of Dernigntune, which was almost three 
miles distant, and was called by name Badele"f and accompanied by the mother and 
other poor friends, conducted her thither himself. In that " infirmary for those who by 
the secret judgment of God were stricken with the contagion of leprosy," she remained 
three years, but only grew worse daily. For a putrid scar, which never healed, com- 
pletely crossed her face, and, with open sores of raw flesh here and there, running with 
gaping courses over the sound part in a poisonous stream, rendered her whole visage 
most horrible. A withered line marked the extremes of her lips all around, by reason 
of long sickness which had eaten the parts belonging them away to the bottom. These 
and other operations of her disease had so reduced her wasted frame, that all hope of any 
health at any period of life altogether seemed vain. At length with faith placed against 
the belief of all, having heard of the frequent miracles done at the sepulchre of the Saint, 
the mother led her afflicted offspring thither and earnestly entreated the compassion of 
the man of God. Once and twice, night and day, did her prayers seem lost and she re- 
turned home ; but at her third approach Godric hearkened. Such a sudden pain darted 
into the head of the patient while at the tomb that she could scarcely bear so severe and 
sudden a feeling, for the clemency of the Saint was poured out, and he settled and re- 
moved the noxious humours. The sweat was so fervid that the mother led her to the 
water, washed her face, moistened her head, and returned to the tomb. She remained 
quiet for some time there, and drew the hood with the covering over it from her head, 
when her mother drawing nearer, and looking into her face, beheld it perfectly sound ; 
all the sores of her former leprosy had disappeared, her lips were healthy and delicate, 
and her whole countenance clear as when a child. They returned home in joy, and never 
again did the disease return, but the patient lived long to extol the power given by God 
to his servant Godric. Of this miracle there were, continues the historian, as many true 
witnesses as there were men who frequented Halietune and the hospital of Badele, as 

blood ! In the Halmot books [the family being small copyholders at Blackwell] the name 
is Langstreth. In the registers it is chronologically Langstaff, Langstaffe, Langestaffe, 
Langstreffe, Langestraffe, Langstrafe, Langstraffe, Langstraff, Longstaffe, Lanckestafe, 
Langstaf, Longstaf, Longstaff. In 1624, none were to "let Richard Langstaffe a howse 
within the borroug of Darlington upon paine of 39s. ]\d." In 1598, Wm. Hodgson, of 
Manor House, Lanchester, gives " To one John Longstaffe of Rabie yf he be living at the 
daye of my deathe and yf he be dead to his children, in considerac'on of his losses he sus- 
tayned bv me in the layte rebellyon in the North in the sarvice of Charles the late Earl of 
Westmorland, 30s." 

* Pndsey did much for this parish, and as he erected Sherburn hospital, it is probable 
he completed his good works here by a similar establishment. Possessed of royal sway in 
the palatinate, he had power to erect a free chapel and annex it. f Var. Badela. 

2m 



274 DOMESTIC. 

well as Ralph Haget, the sheriff [for Bishop Pudsey], who told the prior and convent 
that he had himself seen the girl both before and after it, and that although she was 
perfectly whole, the scars were marked by a slight redness, and that the extremes of her 
lips, which were surrounded by broken flesh, were round and full but rather elevated 
above the rest. Normanrus, the kind priest, asserted the same things, and exhibited his 
charge, wholly restored, in his church to the parishioners. 

1197. The temporalities of the see, during a vacancy, being in the king's hands, the 
Borough of Derlinton' rendered account of 81. : there was in the treasury 71. 12s : owing 
8s. The Bondmen 695. 8d. : in the treasury 64?. 8c?. : owing 5s * 

*** In the Treasury at Durham are a number of charters relating to the possessions 
of the Benetsf and Wal worths, the early magnates of the town, in which are many cu- 
rious early names. Tho. Pannebrihite, Ric. Cissor, Walter s. David Tinctor,% Roger de 
Hundegate and William s. Hervice le Raper occur at the end of the 13th cent. : James 
Pelliparius (of SMnnerg&te no doubt), William le Mareschale,^ Walter s. Duncan le 
Barker \\ (elsewhere Tamiator), William called Redhode of Derlingtone, &c, in the 
early part of the 14th. 

* Pipe Rolls. NC. Soc. Ant. 1847, p. 201. 
*f* Benedict de Derlingtone had a son William (called Filius Benedicti and JBenette) liv, 
1290, whose son John Benette ra. Eustachia dr. ¥m. de Mundeville who held much land 
about Burdon. She and her husband alienated le Halleflat at Derlingtone and numerous 
other properties at Burdon and Darlington to the Walworths. Bennet Hall and Bennet 
Field occur ages afterwards. I lose sight of the Walworths about 1360. A gleam surrounds 
the northern families of that name from the probability that the celebrated Lord Mayor of 
London, who turned the stream of Wat Tyler's rebellion, in 1381, was of their blood. In 
the same year he was executor to Bp. Hatfield. Thomas Walleworth, a canon of York, 
(cousin of Win. Walleworth, rector of Haughton-le-Skerne, who died 1401,) bequeaths in 
1409 to his sister Agnes, a gilt piece of plate, which formerly belonged to his brother 
Sir Wm. Walleworth, knight, deceased. The early charters have Wallewrde and Watte- 
wrthe. The Benets seem to have originated as a local family in Benedict de Bermtoue, 
to whom Ralph the Prior confirmed Bp. Marisco's gift of property in Derlingtone between 
1217 and 1226. 

X He sold a burgage in Vrangelythe in the field of Derlingtone. The antiquity of the 
Dyers as a craft in Darlington has been seen in Boldon Book. At the close of the 1 3th 
century the Walworths had transactions about property on le Madergarthes, evidently the 
place where the dye was grown, and which, in the 17th century, occurs as Mather gar thes, 
and was then split up into numerous burgages. " The time hath been," says Harrison, in 
1577, " that wad and madder, have beene (next unto our tin and woolles) the chief commo- 
dities and merchaundize of this realme." Vrange-lythe is connected with Madder-garthes, 
the medieval name of the plant being varantia, quasi verantia the real, genuine dye. 

9 Robert s. Guydo Faber occurs about the same time. Peter del Smethe held property 
here 8 Bury. Robert Rainert of Smithie-hill (Bakehouse-hill ? where there was a forge) in 
Darlington, bur., 1623. A singular brass seal of Ralph, who calls himself the farrier of the 
bishoprick, (rather a large field for his labours,) was discovered near Darlington some years 
ago, and is now in the possession of Mrs. Todhunter, Harewood-hill. 
It is of the 14th century and reads (round the implements of the 
craft), "StIGILLVM] RADVL[PHI] MARESCHAL [LI] D[E] 
L'EVECHIE D[E] DVREME." He was doubtless in a similar 
capacity here as the smith of Boldon Buke, who worked at the 
forge which, at Hatfield's survey the anti-monopolist tenants had 
got into their own hands, and L'EVECHIE is either an engrav- 
er's mistake for L'EVESQVE, or an evidence of a petty pride 
assimilating to that shown by our craftsmen " to the Queen " 
of the present day. The name of Marshall (akin to Smith, Faber, 
Farrer, Ferrar, &c.,) has come to denote, not the primitive horse- 
shooer, but a governor or master of the horse, and eventually the 
highest military rank generally. The name ascended while the 
craft fell. A smith among the Britons was an ovate in the Bard- 
ic order, and a high personage among the Anglo-Saxons, and the progress of his descent 
in rank is curious. The smithery was evidently a feudal oppression, and we cannot feel 
surprised that the tenants of Darlington took it in the end into their OAvn hands, as well 
as the mills, paying an annual rent. It seems clear from the way in which the ploughs of 
Little Haughton are mentioned in Boldon Buke (pp. 63, 65) that some of the agricultural 
implements were not private property, but lent out by the landlord from man to man. In 
every respect the episcopal surveys present most exact pictures of the mode of living before 
money-rents were fully introduced ; which payments, as Mr. Surtees justly observes, com- 
ing in course of time to bear no proportion to the real value of the tenures, the modern 
wealthy farmer thus grew out of the ancient villain. As to the company of smiths, vide 
sub anno 1628. 
|| There was a Cecily le Barker (probably Walter's mother) living at the same time, and 




MARKETS AND FAIRS. 275 

130*2. After Beke's disgrace, he had to make peace with his vassals by the concession 
of several important privileges. One of them runs " And whereas no freeman ought by 
custom to be impleaded except in the free court of the bishop, yet the bishop's bailiffs 
compel them to be impleaded at the halemotes, and amerce them among villains, con- 
trary to the common law of the realm ; The Bishop grants, that no freeman shall come 
unless he will come there to complain against a villain ; and if wrong is done him by 
any villain, and he will complain of it elsewhere, in the free court, a writ shall be 
granted him." He also granted that no carriage was to be taken, except in time of war, 
from the freemen, and that no sub-bailiff of the coroner should be mounted on horse- 
back* 

The coroner of Darlington Ward was formerly chosen by the bishop, and was sometimes 
the bailiff and steward of Darlington also. There is a tale of felo-de-SEA connected with 
the coroneiship of George Ornsby, Esq., (1806-1816.) One Webster, a love-slighted 
swain, tossed his carcase into the Skerne, near Polam. The coroner being absent, old 
Attorney Annan reigned in his stead. The jury were about to return a verdict of felo- 
de-se, when one solid yeoman became alarmed at the deplorable ignorance of Ms com- 
peers : — " Nay, lads, nay, that load nivver dee, everybody knew that he threw Msell int' f 
Skeirne, folks wad all think us fulesV 

1311. Bishop Kellawe ordered that notice be given in Darlington church on Sundays 
and holydays that no person was to be molested in coming to the market and fairs which 
were of great usefulness. f It was a favourite mart of the religious houses. ;{; There is 

the name may either be a marital one or denote the female tanner who continued the busi- 
ness of her diseased spouse. Her daughter was Alice Beelce; and Walter Bee, perhaps the 
same as the Walter in the text granted land at Redmarshall to Adam the carpenter of 
Darlineton. * Hutch, i. 248. + Kellawe's Reg> 

X Holy Island. "1392-3. Expences of the Prior to the fair (nundinas) of Derlyngton." No 
cattle were sold by the priory this year to the mother house of Durham, and therefore the 
Prior's object must have been to lay in stock for the larder. Prior Aslakby, as his name 
implies, came from Aislaby, near Stockton, on the banks of the Tees. He would therefore 
meet his relations and friends at Darlington. — Raine. 

F include Priory. In 1360-1, the cellarer was allowed his expenses at Derlington. In 
1363, were paid "for the expenses of Sir John de Tykhill (the prior himself) going to Der- 
lyngton fair, and 12 platters, 12 ditto to serve up meat in, and 12 saucers of copper, 1 bra- 
zen candlestick, with parchment bought, 18s.9cZ." Other jonrnies to our fairs occur, and at 
that time Sir Ralph de Derlington was a brother. In 14.58-9, the cellerar bought 21 twyn- 
ters (cattle two winters old) here for 61. 12s. 5d. 

Durham Priory. In 1530-1, the Bursar's accounts contain items of " 15 cows bought at 
Darnton by Americ Dande, the 21st of June, at different prices, together with the expen- 
ces there, £7 13s. 6d." and " 2 cows bought at Darnton at 10s. 4d,=20s. Sd. And expences 
at Hexham and Darnton, 3s. Sd. And expences at Darnton by Robert Best and comrade, 
8tZ." 

In 1531-2 are two items for driving cattle at Darnton, one on the fair after Whitsuntide, 
Gd., the other at Martinmas (in die Martini), 9d. 

In 1532-3 occur 18 cows bought at Darnton the fair after Whitsuntide by Americ Dande 
and comrade, Si. 6s. 4c?., and in 1533-4 at the same fair are bought by Americ Dande and 
Robert Best at Darnton, 31 cows, whereof 16 were at 10s. Sd. (SI- 10s. Sd-) and 15 at 10s. 
(71. 10s)— \6l. 0s. Sd. On the 23rd November in the same year Americ Dande bought 13 
cows at Darnton at 12s. (71. 16s.), his expenses there were 20d. He is styled " Custos ani- 
malium." 

The times of holding fairs in these remote times has not altered. 

Market and Fair Days. — Pay toll save where excepted. — Every Monday is a market- 
day ; also the day before Christmas-day. The first Monday in March, a show of horned 
cattle, sheep, &c. (pays no toll for cattle). Easter-Monday, for cattle and all goods and 
merchandize (pays no toll for cattle, save horses and pigs)" Monday, before and after old 
May-day, a hiring day for servants. Whitsun-Monday [mentioned as a fair-day even by 
Harrison in 1577], for horned cattle, sheep, and all goods and merchandize. Great Monday, 
after Whitsuntide, which is always the Monday fortnight ; the same. Every Monday fort- 
night from Whitsun-Monday to Christmas is called a fortnight-day for horned cattle, sheep, 
&c. The 9th of November for horses, &c. ; the 10th of November [Nought, i.e. Neat, 
Fair] for horned cattle, sheep, &c. ; the 13th of November for hogs and pigs. Monday, 
before and after old Martinmas-day, a hiring-day for servants. Nov. 22, Old Martinmas- 
day, for horned cattle, sheep, and all goods, &c. Great Monday, after Old Martinmas, 
which is always the Monday seven-night after Martinmas-day, except when Martinmas-day 
falls on a Monday, then Great-Monday fair will be that day fortnight, for horned cattle, 
and all other goods and merchandize. (From the Toll-table, by order of Chancery, in 
James Allan's time). Every Monday fortnight is now a " fortnight," or fair day. 



276 DOMESTIC. 

a saying- used as a gentle retort to one who is relating marvellously cheap purchases 
made at some distant fair: — " Well, and what of that! I saw three stirJcs seWd V 
Darnton market for jive pounds apiece, as big as Churches ! " 

1362. Margaret, wife of Robert de Orleyenes, died seized of a messuage and 15 acres, 
in Cockerton, held by the service of paying one penny farthing towards the reparation of 
the mill and the mill- cogs of Darlington mill, and one hen called a wodehen at the Na- 
tivity, leaving William her s. and h. (Inq. 17 Hatf.) See Hatfield's survey (p. 89) for 
wodsilver paid in hens. 

Circa 1381. Died Alexander Surteys, chivaler, of Dinsdale, who according to the 
escheat after death (36 Hatfield) had enfeoffed trustees of a burgage and other small pro- 
perty at Darlington* with Le Ryddin and Felling in fraud and collusion, to deprive the 
prince palatine of the wardship and marriage of the heir, an infant of twenty weeks' 

* John de Murton (who had relinquished a paternal for a local name) gave lands in 1325 
in Murton on the Moor, which he had by gift of his father William Surteys, to Ivo Bek of 
Derlyngtion. John was grand uncle to Goceline Surteys (younger brother of Sir Thomas 
Surteys of Dinsdale) who had (Inq. pm.22 Hatfield) lands in Darlington and a host of 
other places of a very heterogeneous locality, which it is difficult to account for as posses- 
sions of a younger son except by supposing them purchases, indeed some at Nesham are 
expressly stated to be a mortgage. Dying s. p. these estates passed to his nephew Sir 
Thomas, the father of Alexander. Thomas Surtees dying childless in 1511, left a sister 
Catherine by the same mother and a brother Marmaduke by the same father but different 
mother, and although the latter was on every principle of justice the true heir, a barbarous 
feudal principle decreed that the most distant descendant of the whole blood might inherit 
before the nearest half blood. Marmaduke however was full of fire, tore the estates with 
the fangs of law, and forced the Places to assign him the manors of Over Middleton and 
Morton, &c 

This Marmaduke on one occasion beat a parson out and out. Some lands in Middleton- 
one-Rawe (of which Marmaduke is described as lord) had been granted by the family to 
his uncle John, who was incumbent of Dinsdale, for life and 20 years following, but after 
the lease had expired, the clergyman wished to consider it as part of the glebe. In 20 Eliz. 
John the only son of Marmaduke had a trial with the then parson about it, and John Hudson 
of Morton, grassman, aged 54, deposed that he was when " but a boy of a dozen or xiii years 
of age present at the buriall of John Sewerties [the parson] and then had a penny given 
him (the funeral dole)," that Marmaduke borrowing 10s. of Rowland Clerk (a succeeding 
parson) upon his signett, the latter within or about a month after requested to have his 
his money, when Marmaduke told him " that it was but a small thing that he the said 
Marmaduke had of him, and that therefore he thought that the said Rowland would not 
have bene so haistie with him. ' For,' quoth the said Marmaduke, ' if I would I could take 
the two oxganges of land which thoue occupiest here in this towne from the, which is a 
hundreth times better than than the money thow lent me.' ' Nay then,' quoth the said 
Rowland, ' that I thinck yow cannot do.' ' Yes,' quoth the said Marmaduke, ' that I can. 
But be thow Rood to me, and I will be good to thee.' ' Why, sir,' quoth the said Rowland, 
' anything I have you shall comaunde.' ' And well then,' quoth the said Marmaduke, 
' come hither to me againe such a day and I will show the good specialtie that the two 
oxganges is myne to do with what I list.' And so for that tyme the said Rowland departed." 
On their meeting the perplexed parson found that Surtees had right and had to compound 
for 41. 10s. and the 10s. he had lent, for a life interest. He paid by instalments, and Archer 
another witness saw him come to Marmaduke at Darlington and say " Sir, now I have 
paide yow all my money according to our agrement, and therefore I pray yow now let me 
have assuraunce made for my life, that 1 be not any more troubled.' ' Marrie, parson,' 
quoth the said Marmaduke, ' that 1 will with good will- And come go with me to Mr. 
Hailes.' And so they went together to Mr. Hailes to have assuraunce made." At a later 
period, a parson of the adjoining parish of Middleton St. George was cloked. Wm. Killing- 
hall, who held a moiety of the rectory, wanted Case the rector to join him in suing Francis 
Forster of Darlington for their joint tithes due from West Hartburn. The rector refused 
because by his daughter he had received at Darlington from Forster " 20s- to buy a cloke, 
3 bushells of ry, and besides the said Francis Foster being a good friend unto him." — Ar- 
chives, R. H. A. 

The coheirs of Catharine Place, Blakiston, Brandling, and Wycliffe occur as burgesses, co- 
temporarily with some collateral Places (sans blood of Surtees) to whom they had alienated 
most of their mother's possessions in Dinsdale, &c. Sir Robert Brandling had no surviv- 
ing issue by his heiress spouse, and her lands descended to his coozen William the son of his 
brother Thomas. This William was " born beyond the seas," and Sir Robert procured an 
act of denesasion for him . The knight had a younger brother Henry, who, in vain, at- 
tempted to set up some testamentary notes of Sir Robert onpapire which he had been in- 
duced to make on " the unkynd dooings of William Branlynge, who was sodenly dep'ted 
into Flanders ;'" as well as a forged settlement by him of the Darlington and other lands, 
which, after long suits, the Star Chamber on violent presumptions, Slc, decreed was forged. 
(Star Chamber Record, penes W.H.L.). William seems to have been a blustering, licen- 
tious man, from the Surtees Society's vol. of Ecclesiastical proceedings, pp. 72, 73. 



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APPOINTMENT OF BAILIFF. 277 

age, "the intention of the feoffment being that they should not disinherit the heir but 
that they should pay the debts of the said Alexander and should enfeoff the heir when 
he came to full age ;" a very virtuous disposition, as things now stand, in order to pay 
the dying man's debts and leave a little fund in friendly hands, to assist the heir some- 
what beyond the strict allowance of a Court of Wards ; but then at the expense of the 
Bishop and his vested rights. Perhaps the Rydding (probably The Riding in Lanches- 
ter parish) paid the forfeit of the attempt, as it appears no more in the Surtees inquests. 

1501. A most honest correspondence passed between Bishop Fox and Prior Castell. 
It seems that the system of farming the tolls, &c, of the boroughs, which from Boldon 
Buke appears to have been the plan adopted, even in the 12th cent., proved unsatisfactory, 
and that the usage of the dean and chapter confirming the appointment of bailiff has no 
remote origin. There is something extremely touching in the Prior's simple language.* 
" My especiallest good lord in my most humbly and due manner I recommend me unto 
your good lordship. And whereas your lordship wrote unto me lately for the confirmation 
of the bailiff wick of Derlyngton unto Wm. Betts ; my lord, there is one office passed afore 
unto master Hadoke of the office of Derlyngton ; and, my lord, I have made search 
within our records of the same office, and I can find no precedent thereof that ever your 
mitre was charged with any such fee. And, my lord, I have at your former command- 
ment confirmed your grant both of Gatesheved and Aukland, whereas I can not per- 
ceive that ever any such grants was made aforetime, either by your records or ours. 
My lord, I am right well content to perform your commandment or pleasure in every 
behalf to the uttermost of my power, and yet, my lord, please it your good lordship to 
call unto your remembrance what your lordship would lay and say unto me, in case 
like, if I should charge your mitre with such fee as never was afore in your records nor 
in ours. Your lordship might be miscontent with all. My lord, how your successor 
will lay such matter unto my brethren's charge and mine, my lord, I know not ; but 
aye, my lord, I doubt the worst. And, my lord, secular people will say, that and if 
your bedemen, my brethren and I, confirm office or thing that your lordship or your suc- 
cessors is most content with ilk, then, my lord, the party will say that they will assli 
their fee of me and of my brethren, which is against all right and good conscience. My 
lord, I beseech your lordship to take with me no displeasure, thof I show your lordship 
my poor mind ; for, my lord, in time of need or cause of complaint, I have none other 
comfort of refuge and counsel but only in your good lordship. And I beseech the same 
so to use me and take me, and ever, my lord, to shew your good mind and lordship that 
will help in trouble or business in time of need. And thus to the blessed Trinity's keep- 
ing I ever commend your good lordship. From Duresme, the 14 day of August, with 
the hand of your humblest chaplain and orator, Thomas Priocr of Duresme." 

The Bishop answers : — " Right entirely well beloved brother, as heartily as I can I 
commend me to you : and well I remember, that amongst other, I wrote unto you for 
the confirmation of Wm. Betts' patent of the bailiffwick of Derlyngton ; and by your 
last writing unto me I conceive ye make a difficulty therein for two causes; one is that 
my servant Tho. Haidok hath one office of Dernton ; the second is that ye can not in 
your register find any grants of the said office with such a fee. Truth it is, Tho. 
Haidok hath a grant, but that is of the custody of the manor and not of the bailiffwick ; 
and where the boroughs have been commonly and for the most party before my time 
letten to farm, which was the occasion of evil justice and much extortion et hindrance 
of the lord's profits both at Derlyngton, Auckland, and Gateshead, I have in my time 
caused all the said boroughs to be occupied by way of approvement, and so I have 
granted this office of Derlyngton to Wm. Betts by way of improvement, which I make 
you sure hath been to me, and shall be to my successors, much more profitable than to 
let or put them to farm. Doubt you not, brother, I shall no thing desire you to do that 



tecs Soc 



The original orthography may be seen in the appendix to the Three Historians.— Sur- 



278 DOMESTIC. 

shall be hurt or prejudice to the mitre of that my church, and therefore eftsoons I pray 
you, as heartily as I can, let the said William have my said grant of the office of Der- 

lington confirmed And thus heartily fare ye right, as I would do myself. At 

Richemount, the sixth day of Septembre, with the hand of your loving brother, Ri. 

DURESME ." 

The prior, I presume, consented, as in 1514 Bishop Rut-hall desires him to confirm 
unto his servants " Richard Waldgrave* th' office of baily of Derlyngton and Thomas 
Banks the crownership of Norton," which he did. In 1516, RuthalFs auditor delivered 
to the gaoler of Durham Castle the bodies of the collectors of Coundon and Redworth, 

Ric. Perkynson coroner of Derlyngton ward, and Thomas T . . . . bailiff of D 

to be kept and subsist out of their own proper goods according to the statute, for their 
arrears due to the bishop on their Michaelmas accounts. 

1511, Mar. 24. John Bulman, of Blakwell, begged sanctuary at Durham Cathedral, 
having in the house of one William Bulman, at Ripon, 13 years before, feloniously struck 
one N. Walley with a dagger in the breast super le wj/thbone, of which within two days 
he died.t 

1526, July 30. Robert Holme, late of Darneton, co. Dunelm, pewterer, came to the 
sanctuary of St. John of Beverley for a debt only. And he was admitted and sworn. 
The men of the bishoprick often seem to have considered themselves safer at Beverley 
than under St. Cuthbert's privileges at Durham, and vice versa. 

1558, Aug. 16. Will, of " Laurence Thornell baylyf of Darlington : my soule to 
Almyghtie God my maker and redemer and to our blessed ladye, &c. : to be buried in 
the chnrche yarde of Darlington at the Quere end : Francys Perkinson, 405. ; and to 
Bryan P., Richarde P., and Dorathee P. everye of them 61., besydes theyre chyldes por- 
c'ons [step-children] : Rychard Thornell my bastarde sonne 101. : Sir Robert Wykinson 
[an unnoticed incumbent ?] 10s. : the heyghe alter 35. 4<#. : churcheworkes 205. : every 
one of my men servaunttes at Darlington a lyveray coote and 55. : my women ser- 
vaunttes at D. an ewe or the price of an ewe : Marmaduke Fayrbarne and Mr. Halle 
and Wm. Tomson [p. 200], eyche 35. 4d. : residue to Barbara my wyfe : Mr Henry 
Ducket my brother in lawe : brethren Nycholas T. and John T. : Francis Perkinson 
my wyfes sonne." A demise occurs, 4 Edw. VI. to Lawrence Thornell gent, of the Low 
Parke of Darlington and the Medowes on the Skerne. In Hartlepool chancel is a bra- 
zen effigy of a lady dressed in an open gown disclosing a richly embroidered petticoat, 
and most gallantly decked out with the hoop, ruff, hat and slashes of the period in 
which the 1 maiden Queen held sway. A scroll from her mouth displays Casta fides 
victrix, and beneath is her name displayed. Here vnder this stone lyeth bvryed 

THE BODIE OF THE VERTVOVS GENTELLWOMAN IANE BeLL, WHO DEP'TED TH^S LYFE THE 

vi Daye of Ianvarie, 1593, beinge the dowghter of Laverance Thornell of 
Darlington. Gent, and late wyfe to Parsavel Bell No we Maire of this Towen 

OF HaRTINPOOELL MaRCHANT. iETATIS svje 40. 

TO)o$ &evtues ii tlpu imlt ht^QXQt 

peruse ti)te tabel Ijattgmge line 
Wfyicfy Ml tlje Same'to tlje bnfoltf 

fog tyv gootf Me leanie tljou to ftte. 

Arms. In a lozenge, Gules, 2 bars gemelles and a chief argent, on the latter a martlet 
for difference. — Thornell (of Yorkshire). J 

* Tn 1523-9 Wolsey appointed Wm. Wytham on Waldegrave's resignation. 

•f Sanct. Dunel. Sur. Soc. 

X 44 Eliz. Thomas Singleton, D.D., and the scholars of King's Hall and College of Bra- 

senose, Oxford, v. Percivall Bell.— Disputed claim to copyhold and freehold lauds, viz. : 

Sadbury demesnes ; Darlington otherwise Darnton Court ; co. Durham.— Catalogue of 

Pleadings in the duchy of Lancaster. 



WILLS AND INVENTORIES. £79 

1560, July 23. Will** of Richard Somersett of Oxnelfeyld : my brother Foreman bl'< 
and my buffe tedder coote : George Herrison my satten dublett : wife Margarett Somer- 
sett two of my best kyen. 

1564. Michell Spence, of Derlinton, to my daughters Isabell, Barbara, Jayn and 
Cecill and to every of them 40 shepe, that is to saye 20 ewes and hoggs [sheep in their 
first year] : to Alyce Pacoke one hawket whye wiche 1 bought of my brother Willm . 
at Bedall and one ewe : Mr. Myghell Wandisforde and Mr. Bryane Palmes supervisors, 

1565, Mar. 5. Will of Maude Wilson, of Darton. " I will that there be bestowed 
att my bringing forth 5s. : to my brother [in law] John Laynge and [my sister Agnes] 
his wife for the paynes that they have taken with me or els I had died in the streats one 
brasse potte the which my brother Xpofor Cottes and my sister [Jennett] his wife have 
in keapinge. Also the sayd Xpofor Cottes my brother in lawe hayth of myne in cus- 
todye and keaping 245. 8c?. the which I will shall be distributed as is above written [in 
small legacies] : to my curate Sir John Claxton 12c?." A Christopher Cottes made his 
will 11 June, 1568. " Xpofor Cotts of Oxneldefelde, seke in body but nolle of mynde : 
yf it shall please [God] for to tacke me unto his marcye at this present tyme I will that 
my body be buried in the Southe croft yle of the church with my mortuary dewe by the 
lawe : unto the poore mens boxe 12c?. : unto church works 12c?. : sonne Georg one quye 
of iijre yeares olde in full contentacion of his fiJiall porcion : sonne Nycholes one why t 
reged cowe with one plaitt cotte : Jane Wate my dowghter one quye calfe, in full re- 
compense of hir chylds porcion : sonne John one playt cotte one sword one dager one 
bukler one blacke spere one graye coulte stagg of iijre yeres owld : wyfe Elizabeth and 
dowghter Elizabeth all my houshold stufe : Xpofor Cots ray god sone one quye caulfe : 
Xpofor Wate my good soune one gymmer : if anye of these named doith swarve and 
will not agre they shalbe utterley excluded and have nether part nor parsell of my 
goods but for to a byde the order of Lawrens Horseman Thomas Watson whom I do 
mack supervisors." (Lyen Tompson clerke, a witness). 

1567. Mathew Bland of Darton : Esable Gj/hson my wife : To Sir John Clapham 
12c?. to pray for me [this was in Elizabeth's reign] : to the pore folks one bowll of wheat 
to be distrybuted in bread the day of my buriall (Anth. Coyngeres a witness). Mr. 
Edw. Parkinson owes me for wolle 13s. 4c?. Mrs. Parkinson owes me in money that I 
did len her 20s. For meat and drynk the tyme that he [testator] laid and the day of his 
buriall 8s. 7c? 

1567. Cuth. Marshall, of Cockerton, to the heghe allter for my forgottin tythes 12c?.: 
I will that al maner of arlowmes [heir-looms] the which my father left at his house re- 
mayne to Wm, my sonn that is to say, 1 stepe led [to steep the malt in] and one bruyne 
[brewing] lede, i. mask fatt and one wort stone and a flesh trowe, a brasing morter, a 
pestell, a great arke in the whet barne, and another in the chamber and a grett chist. 

1568. Chr. Addison, of Darnton. — Inventory p. m. states his funeral expenses as 4s. 
and " for bred and drink and other vittalls to the [four] prasers 12c?." 

1569. Edw. Atkinson, of Darnton [lessee of the mills], to be buried in the churche 
earthe of D. : owing to me ; Sir John Clapon, to be paid of great Monday next 33s. 4c?.. 
For bringing forth my husband 40s. : one cote of plaite, &c, 40s. 

1570. Apr. 19. An Inventorie of the goods and cattails off Cristopher Dayllf lait 
disseasied of the parisshe off Darlington, inholder. — In the Hall : Two silver peces weing 

Thornell bur. 5 Sep. ; the wife of John Thornell 21 Sep., 1597 [both of plague]. Ghrisos- 
tome Thornell and Margery Thaddie, m. 1 Jun., 1615. Cuthbert Thornell, gent., of Darling- 
ton, bur. Sep. 1615. Darlington. — Thos. s. Paterick Thornhill, of Darlington parish, bp. 
23 Oct., 1642.— Bp. Wmrmouth. 

* The extracts from wills and inventories are given to illustrate costumes, manners, and 
rustic wealth. If any great and familiar names occur, they are noticed ; but for genealo- 
gical purposes the original documents must be searched. 

+ 29 Dec, 1570. Jenet Daill of Archdeacon Newton wedowe; to be buried in the parish 
churchyard of Darlinton ; Anthony Dale [a name in the Dales of Staindrop] my sonne the 
hole lease of my fermhold wherin I nowe dwell, James Dale his sonne, and his daughters ; 
Margaret Dale ; Alleson Stainsby my best gowue (to these two w r as left her household 
stuff) ; Chr. Stainsby five nobles that he doth owe me for ahorse that I sold him ; his wife 



280 DOMESTIC. 

16 unces at 45. 4c?. the ounce, 3?. 95. 4c?. : eight silver spoinnes*325. : twelve pair of lyn 
sheits, four paire off harden sheits, twelve codwares 405. : two cubbords, a long table, a 
counter, two formes, a longe settell, three old chares, 165. : six puter platters, three lat- 
ten bassons, a litle puter basyng, sixlatton candellsticks and ten old puter potts, 135. 4d. : 
an iron chymnaye, a pairr of tongs, a por and a fyre shovell 105. : summa 91. 8d. — The 
Parlour above the Hall: One long table, one forme, one chare, one litle round table, a 
litle open cubard, 6s. 8d. : two standyng beddes, a trindell bed, furnished with bed and 
bolster, 405. : a litle iron chymnay, a bason and ane ewer 2s. : putter candelsticks, three 
quysshons 75. — The Chamber over the Hall: Two standyng beddes furnisshed with 
fether bedd and bolster and other furniture thereto belonging, two litle counters, one 
forme, 405. — The Newe Chamber : Three standing bedes furnished, one trindell bed fur- 
nished, a litle table, a carpet, 265. 8d. — The Littell Chamber : Two beddes furnished for 
men-servants, ane old chaire, a litle table, 105. — The loft benethe the doores : Two beddes 
furnyshed for women servants 105. — The Buttrie : One presse, two chists, one bord, a 
bread grate, 105. : twenty peces of puter, ten sawcers, twelve puter plates, a litle brasen 
morter, 265. 8c?. — The Kychen : A capon cawell, two bords, 20c?. : potthookes, a pair of 
cob yrons, two dripping pannes, three speets, 65. 8c?. : two cawdrons, six brasse potts, four 
pannes, 405. : four tobes, a brewing lead, a masfat, a troughe stone, a latin laver, 265. 8c?. 
— The Stable: Haie one lode 65. 8c?. : six oxen, two kie, one horsse, 71. : corne in the 
feild 10?. : one iron bound wayn, on long wayne, four yokes, two teames, one plowe 
and the plowe gere* belongynge, 40s. — sum of the goods 49?. 195. 4c?. 

1570. An action was brought in the Durham Ecclesiastical Court by Isabella Wal- 
ker against William Walker of Durham for restitution of conjugal rights. Thomas 
Whitfeilde of Durham, draper, said, " that as towchinge hir, the said Isabella Walker 
crowelness, or seeking of his (William's) death, he knoweth nothing. Mary, he think- 
ith the said Isabell dyd not use hir selfe honestly to William Walker, hir husband, for, 
as it was commonly reportyd emongest hir neighbours, she went twyse frome hir hus- 
band, once in this towne, being then baliffe, and one other tyme to Darlington. And at 
hir going to Darlington she had hir husband's licenc to fett money that she had borrowed 
ofdyvers; but one John Peirson, that caried hir thither, culde not bring hir home with 
hym. And yett afterward, at her home comyng, the said William Walker, by intrety 
of neighbours, was content to take hir again. He cannott tell for what cause she came 
into the contree. He thinks that William Walker is more lyke to bett Isabell his wyf, 
than she the said William." The fact was that when Isabell again left Walker, he took 
the matter very philosophically, and calmly married another woman, and altogether 
seems to have been an odd character. He was rather aged, but a witness thinks him 
" sufficiently able to curry [ruyll interlined^ the said Isabell yf she were with hym." 

1572. John Hope of Darnton, if we may judge from his inventory, might have car- 
ried his whole estate on his back. It only contains : — One dagger, 12c?. ; two Jerkins, 
16c?. ; thre sherts, 12c?. ; one dublett, ij pare of hose, 25. 

1572. Nov. 19. Will of John Frankeleyne of Coken [and Archdeacon Newton] gent. 
He appears to have belonged to the Yorkshire family of Frankland, and mentions York 
kindred. He was third husband of Isabel, widow of Ralph Carr, of Cocken, esq. After 
a long and singular religious preamble he proceeds : — " My bodye as it most vyle Dunge 
slyme and earthe and by god creatid and made of the same, unto theithe therefore I 
will gyve and bequeath it agayne theire to remayne to the last daye wherin God by his 
potencyall power shall reigne in his glory as a most victorious conqueroure and as a 
most righteous juge shall geve sentence upon all humayne fleshe that ever were or 

and children ; Tho. Simpson's wife, Sissely her daughter a gret broad panne and every of 
her children besid, an ewe ; Agnes Dobson my sister, a kerchif, a vaill, a smock, an apron, 
and all my workday rayment ; Jenet Dobson a kerchif of my best lyne ; the poure people 
of Darlington 20c?., and to my curate for his paines 2s., and to the clarke 12c?. 

* A word used in all materials — woodgeare, waingere, &c. — the furniture of any thing. 



WILLS AND INVENTORIES. *$] 

shalbe from the begynnynge to the endynge ; and my goods lyke as I have hy Gods highe 
provydence and goodness received of the worlde even so by Gods grace I will leave them 
to the worlde agayne, utterlye relynquysshynge andforsakynge the same for ever : My 
derelye belovyd wife Issabell Frankeleyne my parte of Archdeacon Newton which I pre- 
sently e do and hertofore have had and occupied durynge her lyf : after her death my 
brother Thomas Frankeleyn th' one halfe of the same duryinge my lease provyded 
that the said Thomas shall durynge the lease fynde his brother Harry Frankeleyn* 
a sufficient house to dwell in, the pasturage of two kye, and x shepe pastures wynter 
and somer, in suche sorte as he dothe fynde his owne without any rent, and gyve 
to the saide Harrye every weke durynge the lease one pecke of wheat and one 
pecke of masclechon [wheat and rye mixed] : to the said Harye two good mylk 
kye and ten good ewes : to my [brother] Thomas frankeleyne two drynkynge potts of 
sylver which was my uncles the dean of Wyndesore [William Frankling, dean from 
1536 to 1553], my wyf to have the custodye of the same durynge her lyfe yf she please 
and then my brother Thomas. And th' other half of Archedecon Newton shalbe had 
by suche as my wyf shall apoynt it to as my promyse was as maye apeare by wryttyngs 
made betwene her and hyr childer and me : concernynge the two fermeholds that ar 
nowe in the tenure of Cuthbert Sotheron and Anthonye Dayle by lease, when these 
leases be expyred yf this wretched and wicked worlde do so longe contynew thaye or 
ther sequyles shall have the same agayne for reasonable qressoms [earnest money or fine 
on renewal] paynge to my said brother and his assignes for th' one half, and to the as- 
signes of my said wif for th' other half, for one and twentye yeares a newe, and not to 
take above fortie marks for a fermholde, as they will answere at the great and terrible 
daye of Judgement for the contrary doynge : My brother Thomas and his assignes shall 
every yeare durynge my lease gyve in Darnton Churche, 20s. ; that is to say, the son- 
daye next before Christmas 5s., upon every Goode Frydaye 5s. upon the natyvyte of 
John baptyst comonlie called mydsommerdaye 5s., and upon Myghelmas daye other 5s., 
as he will answere at the dreadfull daye of Judgement ; And the same shalbe geven by 
th' advise counsell and knowleage of the Vickar or Curate the foure churche wardens 
and other substancyall of the parishe : Also I will desyre my wif upon Gods behalf and 
in the waye of charite that she will take order with those her childer that she shall 
leave the other half unto that they shall gyve other xxs. eve^ yeare dureynge my lease : 
my cosyn Mr. Kichard Frankeleyne of Yorke : my brother Thomas one rynge of golde 
with the letters of my name : my derelye beloved wif even upon Gods behalf to remem- 
bre Bartye Andersonne sonne of Mr. Bartyrem Anderson [of Neucastell] with some 
honest token, whensoever yt shall please God to take her to his mercye, bycause he was 
the nestlynge of all her doughters childre : — to Mr. Thomas Calverley and Issabell his 
wif two old angells and to my gods sonne xxs. to by hym books : cosyn frankeleyn of 
Amerston : to Mr. Barnarde Gylpyn p'son of Houghton one old angell [mentions before 
having previously given forti shyllyngs yerely to Master Gylpyns scole out of Cocken] : 
And because I will make all thyngs as playne as I canne so that nothinge be done vayn- 
leye and that no blayme be laid to my wif for doynge les than some wolde thynke 
should be done for me I will and upon Gods behalf do charge and commande that no 
funerall pompe be done abowt my corpes at the tyme of my bureyall but that the same 
be laid in the churche or churche yeard whether they seme good without stone or anye 
other thynge vpon the same : but by cause my said wif haithe many frends childer and 
kynsfolks which peraventure wolde murmure yf nothynge were done for me I will 
therefore that my wif shall make a dynner for them and others such as she shall seme 
good to have, so that the poore in anye wise be not foregotten amonge which hir frends 
and myne which shall come to my buryall." 

1575 or 1576. Margaree Wormeley sued Edmund Hodgsont of Ccckerton, husband- 

* Henry Franckland, gent., of Archdeacon Newton, bur. 1603. — John Franckland of 
Archdeacon Newton, bur. 6 Mar. 1607-8. 
t The Hodgsons long swung between gentry and yeomanry at Fieldhou?e,no\v the Nun- 

2n 



282 DOMESTIC. 

man, aged about 40, for breach of promise of marriage, in the Ecclesiastical Court of 
Durham, He answered that about Michaelmas two years past, he being free from all 
former contracts had communication with her of marriage, on the backside of Thomas 
Hodgson's house at Darlington, before certain friends, viz., Thomas Hodgson, Richard 
Daniell, and Margerie's mother, but whether she was then free from all former contracts 
he did not know, for she was then in name with one Fra. Castell, Mr. Clarves (Cler- 
vauxrs) man. There were never any tokens given between them, " no, not so moch as 
a handkeircher. Marye, this examinate gave the said Margarye an olde grote, upon 
frenshipe, but as no token." About a month after the communication, he, having 
newly set up husbandry, had an ox that torfled [had a dislocated joint], and upon " the 
friendship of said communication," he went to Croft to Margerie's father, and " made his 
moone" [moan] unto him to have some help. The father answered that he could not help 
him, and then Edward required the old man to borrow him sufficient money to buy an ox 
who replied that he would not, he was not used to borrow any. The damsel was then 
moved with compassion and said, " Edmund Hodson, I am sory that my father will not 
help you, and yett I knowe he haith yt to helpe you ; never the less, for the good will 
that haith bein bitwex you and me, I will lend you 205. unto Pentecost next, to help 
you to an ox." That sum he had not repaid. This savours of love, but the recreant 
added that his inamorata ever made small account of any communication that had been 
between them, and when he had charged her therewith, she said, " Take as good heid 
to your self as ye can ; I mynd to be tytter (sooner) provided for then ye wote, and will 
take both plight and perell of any thinge you can chard (charge) me withall." 

1577. Jan. 11. There were " Articles concluded and agreed upon by the Burgesses 
and commonalitie of the Burrough Towne of Darlington to be observed and keept for 
the maintenance of the occupation of Cordwainyers and to continue from time to time 
for ever." None of the occupation were to take any prentisse under the term of seven 
years nor have above two apprentices at one time. Apprenticeships to be entered in 
the Register book, on a fee to the register of 6d. Any person of the occupation might 
set up on payment of a reasonable fine (part to the Bailiff of the town, and part to the 
maintenance of the occupation) and making a dinner according to his ability for the 
Masters of the occupation ; but any apprentice within the borough and town of Dar- 
lington should only make a dinner of a reasonable price to the wardens and masters of 
the whole occupation, and pay I2d. to the wardens, and the like to the registers. All of 
the occupation to assemble at nine of the clock before noon on 25th Oct., yearly, in the 
Tollbooth, and appoint amongst the said occupation and fellowshipp two wardens, who 
for the year might search all wares made by any of the occupation, and call a meeting 
of its members at any time at the Tollbooth. And if any misused the wardens in word 
or deed the Head officer Mr. Bayliffe of the Burrough should send his officers for the party 
and commit him to Ward to have punishment according to his deserts. None to offer any 
wares on Market-day in the market before the time appointed by the Jury of the Bur- 
rough, except on Christmas Even and Whitsunn Even when they might do so at all 
times ; nor dress any wares upon any Tollbooth days openly or secretly ; nor procure 
inticke (entice) and take any other man's servant to work except he be licenced first 
with the master he was hired withall. Every journeyman and hired man to pay 2c?., 
yearly, to the wardens. And it was further ordained by the wardens and whole com- 
pany of the trade that [and] the currier for the time being, whosoever should absent or 

nery. Edmund could only si<?n by mark, and seems to have been of another branch. 

13 June, 1560. Edmund Hod^eson of Derlingtone, merchaunt ; to be buried in the 
parishe church of Darlington so nighe the corps of my wyffe as maye be ; John Claxton of 
Hurworth my sonne in lawe ; doughter Eliz. Claxton ; to the right worshipfull Mr. Sergiant 
Menell my speciall good freind one olde ryall ; to the reparacons of the heigh waies of this 
towne U-, and to the poore people that shal be at my buriall fower marke ; I forgyve my 
kynswoman Thomas Wardts wyffe all suche debts as she owith unto me to thmtend she 
shall the betteri bring up hir childrein ; to every one of Marmaduke Fairbarnes children! 
which is in numbre ix that he haith nowe with this wyfF [how many was he to have by the 
next ?] Hewe Macames doughter 6s. M. 



MILLS. 283 

prolong- himself by going- abroad to work with any foreigners or have any foreign work- 
man, without special licence of the wardens, should forfeit 6s. 8d. 

These articles were confirmed at a free dinner by the Cordwainers and a currier in 
1698, and again by all the Cordwainers and one currier in 1710, Richard Hilton and 
Math. Lamb respectively signing as Bailiffs. In 1737 it was agreed that all fees, fines, 
&c, should be added to the Company's stock instead of being paid to the Bailiff or War- 
dens own proper use, and that in disputes the Bailiff should have the casting vote. — 
In 1745, the Tanners promised to pay certain sums to the wardens or market-searchers 
and sealers of leather for the town and borough, for the providing a dinner for the Com- 
pany of Cordwainers, and this seems to have been their annual custom till 1766. The 
stock of the Company was lent to its members in succession, and none were to transfer 
their right to it. In 1761, three apprentices were allowed to each member, and none 
were to employ any workmen or journeymen who should take any apprentices except 
the sons of such journeymen.* 

1586. On a view of the Milldam, under an Episcopal commission, the boundary of 
Jennet Hodgshon's close is recognised. There was to be a bridge over the dam for carts, 
&c, at the North end of Norgate in the place accustomed, for the ease of the people, 
the landstaith whereof to be four yards wide, at the expence of the Bondgate tenants ; 
the dam was to be cleansed of willowes and rubbish ; Cuthbert Storie was to restore all 
stones and planks which he had taken from the said bridge, and no webbs of cloath were 
to be laid on the banks of the dam or nigh the same by seven yards.f Until 1757, when 
the Cockerton copyholders purchased freedom from such a service, the dam from the 
Mill holme^ to the Mill was repaired by them, and " from Jennett Hodgson's hedge 
where a stone is fixed in CocJcerell Holme''' to the Mill Race Head by certain Bondgate 
copyholders, " from the said hedge to the Mill Holme." In 176 . . Rd. Stamper erected a 
new Leather Mill adjoining the Corn Mill, and the copyholders refused further payment, 
they being only liable to repair for the corn mill. In all leases of the Darlington and 
Blackwell Mills,§ the words " suke (or sock) and sucking" occur, meaning an absolute 
power of compelling both burgesses and copyholders of Darlington, Cockerton, and 
Blackwell to grind there. || In 1650 Cuthbert Gray, occupier of Blackwell Milne, was 
ordered at the Halmot Court " to take upp the false clowe soe that the ouer flowing of 
water be taken away and soe as Will'm Corneforth be nott thereby damnify ed in his 
meadowe in not kepeing upp the said false clowe ;" and Richard Johnson, a dyer who 
had newly set up a dyehouse near Darlington mill, to remove the rubbish near the said 
mills and make a descent for the water that came from his dyehouse, so that the water 
should be in no way noisome to the said mills.1T After passing as leaseholds through 

* Copies of original articles "sewed on a long screed of parchment" with the subsequent 
memoranda, admissions, &c — peDes R. H. A. f Mill papers penes R. H. Allan, esq. 

X " 1621, A paine of George Metcalfe of 10s. that he shall poule downe the howse wall in 
the mill home betwixt and lames next." — Borough Blcs. 

§ When the Darlington mill was enlarged in 181 ..., the labourers found, 8 feet below the 
surface, a portion of a pavement, a horse-shoe, and a spur with a large copper rowell. 

|l On 3 Sep., 21 Jac. there was a Durham Chancery decree against Simon Jefford (p. 132), 
and in 1634 against Chr. Pyborne, an innkeeper and burgess of Darlington : the first for 
erecting a Horse Milne in his burgage, the last, for grinding at Haughton Milne, another 
ancient episcopal mill, which he had farmed. There seems an oppressive monopoly in the 
nonsufferance of a man grinding his own grain in his own mill, but both defendants had 
been hawking for and obtaining malt, &c, to grind from other people, and thus disabling 
the farmers of the soke from paying their rent of 22£. for the two watermills at Darlington 
and that at Blackwell. The Horse-Mill par eminence, was ultra Skerne, in Clay Row, ad- 
joining the Hermitage. It was demolished before 1760 and a shop erected on its site. In 
1618 it is described as "a 7tow.se called 1p Horsemill," and in 1713 " Darlington Horse-mill 
house." It was probably the scene of Gifford's discomfiture, as in 1683 it was occupied by 
more tenants than one, whom Mr. Lassells was ordered by the burgesses to avoyde or turn 
out. 

If The new mill, built by John Kendrew in 1 780, by a Wear across the mill-race threw 
much backwater on the old mill, and in 1803 an arbitrator decided that Mr. Jonathan 
Backhouse should carry away part of the Head or Wear, so as to leave the sole of the wheel 
rase three inches above the water on the cessation of the wheel's motion. 



284 DOMESTIC. 

« 

many hands,* Darlington mills were enfranchised to Joseph and Edward Pease in 1829, 
and, being applied to manufacturing purposes, the soke is extinct. Blackwell Mill is still 
used for corn ; it is enfranchised, and the soke here also is lost, the mill having been at 
one time used for a manufacture.^ 

1587. Jane Nicholson of D. wedow, late wife of Cuthbert N. of D.: " to be buryed in 
good and christian manner : daughter Annes Dossy all my cotes except my wedding 
cote which I geve to Isabell Dossy daughter of Thomas Dossy and one red cote to my 
sister Margarett Wilkinson," 

1587. Richard Glover of D., yeoman, by will mentions only one son Peter (see p. 150), 
and in the inventory p. m. 1587-8, are contained " 5 puder chargers, 205.: 48 other puder 
dishes, 31. : 28 salters and 8 pottingers, 135. 4c?. : 9 salts, 55. : a paire of [chess ?] tables, 
20c?. : 18 chesses, 135. 4d. : 20 salt fiches, 105. :" 25 pair of sheets, 7 pair of blankets, 8 
other blankets and 22 coverings or coverlets are enumerated. 

1588. July 6. Died, Allison Chambers of Blackwell, a person of good discretion, who 
before her brother John was married, used to market for him, and take charge of his 
house as the howswyff. For divers days before her death, " she spoke somewhat idly anu 
vainly by reason of the extremity of her sickness, and when asked by the folk that cam 
in how she did, she would answer somewhat vainly." Some of her neighbours asked 
her to whom she would give her goods, and whether she would give anything to her 
brother Leonard and sister Elizabeth Chambers, and she said that some time they should 
have somewhat. The sick woman was lying in the foore house or hall howse in John's 
honse (being the general day room of the family), and on the day before she died, she 
sat up in her bed, where she lay by the fire side with her clothes on, and said to Henry 
Staveley, a labourer who had come in, (being of perfect mind and memory and of her 
own mind without any question asked), " Henrie, where is my brother John Chambers V 
John's wife Elizabeth and he answered that he was away in the field, and could not be 
gotten. Then she said, " I feele myself not right ; and if he cannot be gott, I pray you 
all [there being more than one neighbour present with Elizabeth, the good-wife of the 
house] to beare witness of my will, that their be no comber betwixt my brethren. I will 
that I be honestlie brought forth like an honest mans barne, and be laid in Darnton 
Church, as near besids my father as conveniently may be, and I'll give unto the poore 
of Darneton parish 205. ; and all the rest of my goods I give to my brother John Cham- 
bers, and I make him executour of all." Then the said Elizabeth, being at that time 
about some occasions of her own in the chamber nigh the hall, said, " Lalle [diminutive 
of Allison], now, seing thou art so disposed to make thy will, thou might do well to sett 
in thy sister and brother as well as my husband ;'' to which the sick woman answered 
that she would give them nothing, but give all to her brother John. And Henry Stave- 
ley asked her what she would give to him, and she said, " yea, marry, what gives thou 
me ? T will geve the nought, for thou never gave me any thinge."^ She was of perfect 
memory at that time, and all the week before, save that sometimes by extremity of 
sickness, she would speak idle words.§ 

* Rd. Stamper in 1780 let "the Bishop's mill," the Mill Holme and the use of the grind- 
stone adjoining the water wheel of the Bark Mill adjoining the Corn Mill, which was for 
grinding corn and malt and sheeling of oats. He sold his corn mill, leather mill and bark 
mill to Joseph Pease for 890L the next year. 

t The Moulter was 1-1 6th if the corn was conveyed by the miller, l~32nd if by the owner. 
A boll of corn at Darlington is two bushells. 

i Contrasts please. "Md. That Bryane Gule lait of Blackwell within theparishe of 
Darneton about the second or thirde weeke in lent last past then beinge sicke Butt of 
perfect mynde and memorie and being asked by one Thomas Addie to whome he would give 
his goods if he died the said Bryane answered and said That he would give all his goods if 
it weare more to Mrs. Garnett and Mr. Garnett meaning Mr. Bartholomew Garnett [lord 
of Blackwell Freehold Manor] and his wiffe and said it was all to litle for them, for they 
had bene his and his wives succor in ther sicknes : and about one or two dayes after he 
died then being present the said Thomas Addie nowe dead, Willin Wild, Thomas Kendall, 
Elizabethe Lyne and others — Proved June 25, 1597- 

§ Ecclesiastical Proc Sur. Soc. 330. The testatrix was daughter of Stephen Chamber, 
yeoman, of Blackwell, who made his will 15 Oct., 1587, " to be buried on the North side of 



BOROUGH BOOKS. 285 

1591. A postmaster occurs in Darlington, and in 1596 the postshippe is conveyed by- 
deed (see p. 150). Such an ancient functionary attended to the forwarding of letters in- 
scribed " Haste, haste, post haste !" and furnished horses which persons might ride till 
they dropped, as one of Sir Robert Carey's did when he rode the first to salute James I. 
as king. But no regular post at stated intervals was established till 1635, w T hen a run- 
ning post from London to Edinburgh was ordered. A letter from London to Glasgow 
before 1788 was five days on the road. The bags were carried by boys on horseback to 
the great profit of the highwayman.* The total want of safety in this system caused 
the first mail coach to leave London for Bristol in 1784. In 1841 the opening of the 
railway between Darlington and York effected a wondrous saving of time, and in 1847 
the last mail coach from the North arrived in Newcastle decorated with a flag sur- 
mounted with crape. 

1603. Wm. Thompson of this parish possessed at his death " on butterkette and sext 
stone of salt butter in it, 235. "f 

1602. Mathewe Lambart^ of Damton, cordiner, " to be buried in the parish church 
of Darlington : to the mending of the carsaie going to the Armytage, 5s. : one brasse 
pott that was my fathers." Inventory mentions " the Hawle house, the buttrie, the 
East parlor, the shopp, the chamber, the West chamber, the kitchin, the stable." 

1612. The Borough Books commence. The descriptions of debts in the borough 
Court are often interesting as showing ancient prices, e. g. " 1612. For carriage of thre 
hors loads of fish to barn'dcastle, 3s. : Four lambs and flaxe, 155. : Hire for malt mak- 
ing, 30s. : For losing of certaine work tooles, an each, a hand saw, a womble, a chezell, 

a persell bitt, with other things, 10s. 1613, For detayning of a pare of scales for 

weighing of sope to the value of 16c?. : do. of a frame and iron spindles to the value of 
35. 4c?. : For 140 loads of dunge, a waine stedd and plough stedd, and oxen stalls and 
longe setles with two window leaves, 395. lie?. : William Boyes v. Margaret Welsh 255. 
for rent for 4 years and for a paire of bodies. § and for meat and drinckeat severall times 

in the meane time 1614, Cross action, same parties, 75. 3c?. for a waustcote of fus- 

taine and wine and sugar and the makinge of a band and for sewing of a paire of sheets : 
For a loade of Lyme 20c?., and the laying it on 12c?. : For one hogg sheep vjhich was 
found sturdie, 4s. 6c?. : In trespass, for dung, a ladder, a sadle, &c, and maungers and 

skeel, a shovell and halters, with a litle iron forke, damage 215. 1615, For a yard 

of linnen, 16c?. : For want of five dozen cutts of yarne, damage 45. 9c?. : For unjust de- 
tention of xix'ene bords, three bowlls, a maze,|| and another mase, 265. 9c?.: Henry 
Oswold v. Tho. Rewe [an afferor] for a iron pynne and a stowpe of wood imployed 

the font within the church of D. : sonne John a blacke stasrg-e [young horse] with a whyte 
bridle starre in the forehead, &c. : toward the repairinge of Blackwell brige when the work 
goeth forward, 3s. 4cZ. : Hellenor Tod my wives daughter 20s. conditionaly that she shall 
not be hurtfull to my sayed children and if she be she shall have no part of the same : I 
forgive John Middleton the five nobles wich he oweth." The inventory was made only 
four days afterwards, on the 19th. 

* 1763- John Boys Postmaster amerced Is. 6d- for suffering his packett coart to stand in 
the wend or street leading from the Markett place into Skinnergate. — Borough Records. 

1767. " I wrote to you lately, which the Darlington Postmaster tells me must come safe 
to hand, for he put it into the bag himself. Those Rascals the post-boys often receive the 
postaee and destroy the letters, and put the postage in their own pockets." — Toby Heyrick 
the epicurean Vicar of Gainford, to Mr Wood, Proctor of Durham. + Inventory p. m 

X A much more recent Matthew Lambert possessed a little mustard garth at Brafferton, 
the produce of which was to be inspected by a Darlington seedsman. On the day fixed for 
the meeting Mat was engaged to work with a " mate" at some fences, and left his cara 
sposa Peggy with instructions to call him when the man of grains arrived. The clay had 
far passed and no sivmmons been heard, when a heron flew over the heads of the labourers 
on its passage from the Sand Holm, near Ketton,to Morden Carrs, crying Crake! Crake If 
Crake!!! "Let me away, let me away," exclaimed Mat, "no doubt the mustard-man's 
come, for I hear Peggy calling on me at last." And therefore an heron is seldom known in 
that neighbourhood by any other name than One of Mat Lambert's mustardjien. 
Another version of. this story lately appeared in the Literary Gazette in utter variance 
with tradition, but cooked for the sake of point. 

§ The early appellation of a pair of stays, whence our bodice.— Strutt. 
|| A bowl of wood, often maple. 



286 DOMESTIC. 

to the Duchtoole, 5s* 16i6, For a bushell of Moulter come, 35. 4c7. : For want of 

delivery of x sacks of coales, 10s- : For v yards and a halfe lynnen and harden at 10c?. 

the yarde, 4s. Id. 1617, For sharping of milne picks, 4s. : Wm. Thompson v. 

Thomas Gallon and Grace his wife 125. for the tabling of the said Grace and needles : 
For ix sack of coales 7s., to be paid of Carter thorne coales : A paire of sparres, 12c?. 

offered : For deteyning a doore, a locke, and a key, 6s. 8c?. 1620, A coverlet, 6s. 

1623, Rob. Robinson v. Will. Buhner, for saying thou art a theifef and stole my lofe 

39s. lie?. 1624, 5 boords of fire 5s. 1625, una area Anglice one chiste, 10c?. 

1630, A gunne, 8s. 10c?." 

" Orders and ancient paines maid and laid by the consent of the borrowmen and 
homigers to my Lord of Durham of the Borrow of Darlington the ixth of October Anno 
Regni Regis D'ni nostri Jacobi, &c. 19th, Scotiae lvth, Anno D'ni 1621. 

Paines . Imprimis, A paine that no man shall take into his ho wse within this borrow any 
servant but by the Consent of the Chefe officer and xij men of the said borrow, but such 
as are sufficient to maintaine themselves without charge to the town upon paine of 20s. 
Item, A paine that all have any under settles that they avoyde them before great moun- 
day after Martenmas next upon pane of 20s. Item, A paine that no malster or baker 
or any other persone doe buye any corne but in the open market and that at such time 
of the daye as hath bene accostomed upon paine of 6s. 8d.% Item, a paine that all those 
that dight or windowes corne or mault in the market place and all bread and groat sel- 
lers or other that bringeth sward or stones for there ease to sit upon shall imeadiately 
when they have done for that tyme or the next morning cary the same away upon paine 
of every default 12c?. Item, A paine that every howseholder shall kepe and cause to be 
sweaped the street cleane before there doores and shall cause the myer and doung to be 
ccaryed away upon paine of 3s. 4c?. § Item, A paine further yf any affray or assault be 
in any ho wse or howses within the burrow and yf the owner of the same how?es do not 
bring the parties before the Baliffe or his deputie to fynd surty for to kepe the peace 
within the burrow and the amerciament to my lord and his officer, he shall forfeit and 
pay 3s. 4c?. Item, A paine that no tanner skinner nor glover shall take any neat skines 
shepe or calfe skines from any horse backe before the ouner of the same skines doe 
bring them into the market upon paine of 3s. 4d.\\ Item, A paine that no smyth shall 

* " 1612, Marie, wife of Wm. Adamson, to be punished for Scoldinge according to law, viz. 
ducked upon the Cuckstoole, &c. 1614, Jane Willson and Rose Litle guiltie of an unseeme- 
lie assault and an open scoldinge betwixt them in the open marquet to be ducked three 
times either of them. 1 61.9, Dorothy, wife of George Metcalf, a common scold to the com- 
mon nuisance of the neighbours and against the peace of onr Lord the King, &c, shalbe 
forthwith sett on the Cuckstoole and ducked according to the custom of the Borrowghe. 
1620, Margaret Lumley, widow, and Isabella, wife of Roger Beecrofte the like. The wife 
of Henry Beecrofte, a common Evisdropper amerced 6d. The wife of Nicholas Hinde 
a common scold to be punished by ducking in water. The wife of Raignold Shawe and 
Katheren Shawe the like, and none within this borough shall harboure the said Katheren 
on pain of 39s. \\d" 1621, The wife of John Browne a common scould to be cucked. The 
wife of Nicholas Hinde the same." In 1624 some scolds were amerced, but the jury properly 
directed that the constable should "set upp the Ducki ngge Stoole within tenne dayes on 
on pain of 6s. Sd." The ducking system took place in Northgate, behind the shop of Mr. 
Robson (cabinet-maker) where the ducking pond was temporarily laid open a year or two 
ago, but was not always effective, as Metcalfe's wife was fined in 1622, for again being a 
scold, and making a savage attack on an afferror in the performance of his duty. The duck- 
ing stool or chair was at the end of a long pole which worked on an upright post. 

f Yet what was this to Wm. Bnllocke calling the Jury "false scoundrels" and Christo- 
pher Fawcett going to the length of telling them they were all " mainsworne knaves" in 
1614. 

X " 1625, Noe townsmen shall receyve againe into theire howses any corne or grayne to 
be sett upp untill the next markett day which before haith been in the markett to be 
soulde." 

5 In 1612 the butchers were commanded to collect all rams' horns by themselves in a 
place in the burrough for that purpose, and in 1629 Xpforer Sober and three other nasty 
men were amerced " for throwing intraills of beasts upon other mens fieshe." In 1720 
Wm. Shaw was fined for emptying his " inmeats" in the public street. 

j| " 1621, Noe tanners shall bye any skins but upon the Skynnehill'm the Markett Place" 



BOROUGH BOOKS. 287 

suffer any horse or mare to be tyed att there shoppes on head fares and market dayes 
any longer then halfe a hoore after shooing upon paines of 12c? * Item, A paine that 
no man shall suffer there children or servants to put there horses or other cattell in the 
night into other mens grasse or groundes by there consent the masters or parentes of 
such children or sevvantes shall pay and forfeit 6s. Sd. Item, We lye a paine of 65. $d. 
to be levied of everye one that contrary to the borrow right shall fell whines and bring 
them of Branken moore without the consent of the Grasse men from this forward. 
Item, A paine none shall washe any clothes fyshe or scower any skeles tubbes or other 
vessels, but at or below the litle well at the tubwell upon paine of 35. Ad. We lye a 
dormant pane of 2>s. Ad. that all forefrountes and backfrountes within this borrow shall 
according to neighborhood be maid upp by the owners att or before all Saintes day next 
ensewing.t Item, A paine that no person shall breake or open any ground in the bor- 
row or street or market place before first licens thereof be granted by the baliffe 
or his deputie and the xii men of the Jury or the more part of them upon paine 
of 6s. 8e?.J Item, A paine that if any within the borrow from hencforth harbor 
any foote person to them unknowne or knowne to be a wanderrer in the country 
or buy of any such any cloathes or other thinges before they or any of them do 
first make the persone knowne to the baliffe or his deputy or one of the Consta- 
bles for every such default to forfit 206'. Item, A paine that every person shal be 
obedient to the commaundement of the officer in his majesties service and my Lord 
of Durham upon paine of 3s. 46?. Item, A paine that no person shall retaine har- 
bor or kepe any woman suspected or defamed of whordome or any other notorious 
crimes or that have any base beggotten child or children to the charge of the towne and 
parish for every such default shall forfeit 20s.§ Item, We ly a paine that the searchers 
of aile taisters and fearors shall diligently execute their offices and that they shall search 
the markett every Mounday for th' assyze of bread and taiste ayle and beare every 
Moungth and that T they present the offender that kepeth not the true assyse of ale and 
beare upon paine of every default 3s. Ad. Item, We ly a paine that noe inhaibiting 
within the jurisdiction of this borrow shall intertaine any inmates or undersetles, poor 
child or children, singlewoman, or any suspected persons, without first entring bond to 
the baliffe to discharge the towne of any charge that may come to the towne by them 
upon paine of every default 395. llc?.|| Item, A paine that all these paines and forfa- 

* In 1614, no buttermen nor colyers were to fodder their horses in the streets or against 
the towlboath. 

+ " 1621, A paine of 6s. M. that the neighbours in Skinergait shall suffer men to passe 
over there frount steade with there draughts." Skinnergate road was bordered on each 
side with grass at no remote period. 

In 1616, ordered "that everyone make their severall fences betwene man and man," 
which are elsewhere called side fronts. 

% In 1614, ordered "that no man either by licence of the baliffe or whomsoever shall 
digge or break upp any part of the marquett place for sand or gravell from th'east end of 
the Corne Causey to the West end of the tollboath and frome the strand or wayne way to 
the South end of the shambles, and that Mr. Baliffe shall not consent to the same." In 1616 
two burgesses caused "a breach of such parts in the street as they did shortly fill upp and 
vest in Mr. Bailiff's courtesy being without compasse of the limited places forbidd." The 
sand-holes, by leave of the bailiff, were made in the market place as late as the 18th cent. 

§ In 1614, there were " clivers houses of evill note in Black wellgait," viz. five, of which 
Richard Branson was first, and he was an old offender, for besides now harbouring " per- 
sons of ill liefe and lewde behaviour," in 1613 he "kept naughty woman and of badd beha- 
viour in widow Clarkson's house." In 1618 the serjeant of the court himself, Wm. Tatton, 
unlawfully suffered suspicious people to be in his house at night and was ordered to have 
none such after nine at night. This Tatton was a knave, and in a case against his fellow- 
offender, Rd. Branson, if he did not serve execution in a fortnight, execution was to issue 
against himself. In 1621 and 1622 Edmond the Hatter was four times presented for keep- 
ing an " inwooman" and ordered to avoid her. He persisted in his sin, and poor creature, 
his pity was natural, for neither he nor any other burgess was to entertain her, as the 
sapient jury considered her as "a woman of a lewd and suspicious carriage." His fines 
were augmented, for his offence was " a great nuisance and evil example to his neighbours." 

II The rules against the poor were very harsh. They often lived in a "retrorsa domus, 
anglice backhouse," behind the wealthier burgess of the " frontispicium, anglice forepart." 
" 1615, We lay a paine of Wm. Corker that he avoyd old Nell w'ch he keepeth upo' his 



288 DOMESTIC. 

tures shall be presented to the jury of the next Borrow Court after the forfaiture maid 
upon the oath or oathes of the constables and sergantes or some of them upon paine of 
every omission or concealment by any of them 205. Item, We do agree that all former 
paines and penalties as haith been heretofore used or any other paines concerning- the 
well governing and using of the same shall continew and stand in force. Item, A paine 
whosever kepeth any svvyne* unringed or mastereis unmusled within this borrow shall 
forfit 3s. Ur 

1621. The inhabitants of Richmondf and Durham petitioned the Bishop against some 
" upstart and new intended erection of fairs at Darlington." The former town had paid 
40£. feefarm to the crown till Henry VI. reduced it to 19£. 135. Ad. by reason of fairs 
being lately erected at Barnard-castle, Staindrop, Bedale, Middleham, and Masham ; 
and this sum was chiefly raised by the tolls of the fortnight fairs from Palmson Even to 
Whitson Monday, " at which time the fairs beginning at Darlington, being but 7 miles 
distant, do so eclipse and dry up Richmond, that the 5 between are more worth than 15 
after." The Richmond men stated that if his lordship " gave way to Mr. Pudsey's de- 
sires" they would have to ask his Majesty to abate still more of the rent, and " the poor 
town, wherein there are above £000 living souls, utterly ruined and overthrown." % " So 
injurious and so unequal a request of Mm the said Mr. Pudsey," which was to prostrate 
old Richmond which had been long " specially supported by the concourse of the neigh- 
bours adjoining" was, I presume, that extra fortnight fairs should be established ; an 
idea carried, vi et armis, into effect in 1664, when Cosin (incensed that his lieges should 
have " of their owne heads" erected a new market for the sale of all manner of cattle 
from the fortnight before Christmas to Whitson Monday, and with much violence re- 
sisted the opposers thereof by him appointed, " to the disgust of the people, and preju- 
dice of other neighbouring faires and marketts") prohibited the same and ordered public 
proclamation by his sheriff or undersheriff to that effect in the market-place.§ The de- 
sideratum has nevertheless in the end been obtained. 

1623, Sep. 14. " Thomas s. John Turner of Cleasbie bap., Sponsors Thomas Salkeld, 
Simon Giffard and Priscilla Tonstall." This entry occurs near others of recusants on 
the flyleaf of our register, and I suspect this Thomas Salkeld to be identical with him of 
Coniscliffe, of Westmoreland extraction, who in 1625 was esteemed a very dangerous 
Popish recusant. He obediently attended divers conferences with the vicar of Coniscliffe 
and curate of Gainford without success, and at a further conference, by order 13 July, 
1626, the worthy couple did not yet perceive any conformity, " he being very peremp- 
tory in divers superstitious points." At length, says Surtees, " Mr. Salkeld's Catholic 
soul was wearied out of all patience by appearances and conferences, and 28 Sep., 1626, 

backside." In 1620, John Crampton was either to avoid his tenant, or repair his chimney, 
which it seems was likely to set the whole borough in a blaze. If the poor had actually 
resided a year and thus gained a settlement, the orders were relaxed- As late as 1710 no 
stranger who might become chargeable to the town was allowed to remain more than three 
days under a burgess's roof. 

* 1 759, Joseph Dixon fined for suffering his swine to go at large in the church-yard and 
in the streets. 

f In 1658, William Wetwange, a free burgess of Richmond, had a heifer seized in Dar- 
lington market and carried away for not paying toll, and at York assizes following obtained 
a verdict against Christopher Place of Darlington, the Bailiff, for the seizure. He proved 
that the men and tenants of the Honour of Richmond had time out of mind of man been 
free from payment of stallage, pickage, murage, &c in every town and place in England ; 
(a privilege confirmed by several charters under the Great Seal of England) ; that at Dar- 
lington, when any of the inhabitants of Richmond were arrested or molested any way for 
payment of tolls, upon giving satisfaction that they were burgesses of Richmond, they were 
dismissed without payment of anything ; And that the carriers of Richmond being towns- 
men, who went constantly to London every month, were exempted from payment of toll 
on the Avhole road and at London.— The tenants of the Honour of Knaresbrough claimed 
similar exemption. — (Pleadings Due. Lancaster., 40 Eliz.) 

X Clarkson's Richmond. 

f Bp. Chandler also in 173C-9, at the instance of Durham Corporation in a letter to the 
bailiff, James Allan, esq., forbid a sale of cattle on Monday, Mar. 12, and every fortnight 
till Easter, the town having no authority from the Bishop for such sale. — A Man M88. D. d- C. 



THE DARLINGTON PIPERS. 289 

the messenger reporteth ' that Mr. Salkeld is removed from his house, and that he can- 
not discover whither he is gone ; whereupon his recognizance is declared forfeited.' I 
am not sure that he did not die of vexation, and retreat into a stone coffin. 'At the 
West end of the stone before the Quire-doore, in the grave against the end of it, some 
halfe a yard from the stone's end, was found a stone coffin in the earth, in which Mr. 
Salkeld was laid.' This immediately follows an entry of 3 Nov. 1626, in the Coniscliffe 
Register."* 

1624. Easter Hall, Wester Hall, and Halcland are mentioned as at Cockerton in the 
Halmot Books. 

1628. The Burgesses and Commonalty of this Borough town agreed on Articles for 
the trades of Smythes of what kind soever. The regulations resemble those of the Com- 
pany of Cordwainers in 1577, but the annual election of wardens in this case was on the 
25 June. No wares to be sold in the markett before one in the afternoon, the time ap- 
pointed by the homagers. The articles are in the Borough Books. 

1631. Oswald Fawcett purchased of Cuthbert Hodgson "one fore shopp one back 
parlour and one lofte overshooting them both conteyning in length five yeards wanting 
fower inches and in breadth eight yeards two foote and fower inches with a stable on 
the back side." 

1634. The author of " Certaine observations touching the estate of the Common- 
wealth, &c," when talking about the waste of woods, says, " It is not much nedefull 
for mee to bringe in many examples (or waste time) to prove mine assertion, for our 
owne countrymen of Billinghame, Norton, Stockton, Seaton, Hartlepoole, and the in- 
habitants of Cleueland in Yorkshire (since Wharleton parke was cut downe) and of all 
the villages betweene Darneton (upon the riuer of Tease) and the sea-side, and from the 
sea-side vpon the Coast to Sunderland will generallie subscribe to mine opinion in this ; 
who (for the most part) are daily forced to buy their wooden instruments for tillage at 
other places, where they may be had, otherwise our Countie might of necessity want 
that abundance of Come which is daylie sold at Durhame, Darlington, Auckland, and 
Barnard-castle which (for the most part) commeth from these places." 

1634. " Three Southern commanders, in their places, and of themselves and their 
purses, a Captaine, a Lieutenant, and an Ancient, all voluntary members of the noble 
Military Company in Norwich, agreed at an opportune and vacant leysure, to take a 
view of the cities, castles, and chiefe scytuations in the Northerne and other counties of 
England : To that end and purpose, all businesse and excuses set apart, they had a par- 
ley, and met on Monday, the 11th of August, 1634, and mustering up their triple force 
from Norwich, with souldiers' journeying ammunition, two of them, (the Captain and 
the ensign) clad in green cloth like young foresters, and mounted on horses, they marcht 
that night to the maritime town of Lyn, and thence through Lincolnshire and York- 
shire." " The nexte day we were to passe into another Kingdome, the Bishopricke 

of Durham ; for the Bishope is a Prince there. As soon as we left our Inn, at the end 
of the towne appeared to us a favre and neat building, a Knights house (Sir Wm. Ro- 
binson 's) most sweetly situated on the river Swale, and not far from thence another 
Knights seat (Sir Arthur Ingram's), and by dinner time we got to Darlington where we 
were entertained with a hideous noyse of hag-pipes ; such a consort it was, as seemed 
strange to us, yitt we made them serve that small time we stayed there. Two miles 
before we came thither, we crossed without or bridge the goodlie River Tees, which 
springs out of Stanemoore, and divides this large famous shire from that antient privi- 
ledged County Palatine of Durham, and there we left it, and hastned for the cittie of 
Durham."^ 

* Joseph Salkeld of High Conescliffe, gentleman, and Mrs. Jane Green of Lanmouth, in 
Yorkshire. 3rd publication of banns 9 Nov., 1657. — Hannah Salkield of Darlington, widow, 
buried 26 Apr., 1764. — Darlington Par. Reg. 

+ MSS. Eccl. Dunelm. C III. 20, No. 3, p. 93. printed by Surtees and Raine in 1822. 

X Landsdown MSS. Richardson's Imprints. John Fydeler de Deri yn art one occurs in a 

2o 



290 DOMESTIC. 

1635. Sir William Brereton of Handford, Chesh., whese exploits as Parliamentary 
general are inseparable from English history, journeyed this year through the North. 
" From Caterigg Brigg to Peirs Brigg seven [twelve] miles, a straight way ; thence to 
Bishoppe Auckland, seven mile. We lodged at Newton, two miles out of the road, and 
from Peirs Brig, with generous Mr. Henry Blackistone [of Archdeacon Newton, see p. 
147] younger brother to Sir W. Blackstone of Gibsett, whose eldest son [Sir Wm. Blak- 
iston of Archdeacon Newton, the gallant royalist] married my cousin [in reality, sister 
in law, the tourist's sister marrying this " cousin's" brother], Mary Eggert[on]. Here I 
was kindly and neatly entertained, and this gentleman brought me to Aukeland, [and] 
invited me to his brother's and his nephew Wren's, Mr. Linsley Wren, who married Sir 
Wm. Blackstone's [of Gibside] daughter [Barbara], a fine gentlewoman, very lively 
and of a free carriage, &c. [he afterwards calls her " a mighty gallant, a dainty fine 
gentlewoman, if she knew but how to value and prize the perfections God hath given 
her ; whose husband hath impaired his estate in maintaining * * at so great height']. 
Here he lodged all night, and (upon his return to Auckland next morn) staid with me 
until evening."* 

1640. The following letter from Henry Clifford, 5th Earl of Cumberland, was omit- 
ted at p. 132. " My goode Lord — My heade hath so aked with rideing in the heate of 
the day, as I dare not adventure upon the night, itt beinge now 9 of the clock. Tomor- 
rowemorninge I will attend you at 8 of the clock, desiringe your Lordship in the meane 
time to present my affectionate wishes to Mr. Justice Hutton. — My Lord, your Lord- 
ship's most affectionate frende and servant. H. Clifford. — Darneton this 20th day of 
Aug. at 9 in the Evening. I gave notice this morninge to Mr. Mayor of Newcastell, 
and to all the Deputy Lieutenance of my intention to be at Newcastell tomorrowe before 
noone ; soe have I likewise despatched a packett into Scotlande to my Lord of Montrose 
from whom I hope to heare within 48 hours." 

1654, James Ward of Darlington, danceing master, occurs in the registers, t 

1655. " A Bookefor Blachewell containeing what belongs the Towne and Greeve ther, 
with accompts for the hig7iwaies , ' / commences. Throughout the book the rustic counsell- 
ors call their meetings " byelaws'' or " bylaws of neighbours," a term now more appli- 
cable to the resolutions^ made. It was ordered, in 1656, that every husbandman being 
constable was to find himself a horse at his own charge. I extract from the Constables' 
accounts. " 1656, For going to Durham at the Assizes, Is. : Passing the [Stapleton] 

charter of 1404 (D. and C. 3369). In March 1561-2 the corporation of Newcastle " paid mor 
geven in rewarde to the wayttes of Darnton, 3s." The waits were public musicians who 
were hired to perform at marriage feasts and the like. The pipers of Darlington probably 
visited Newcastle during the Easter festivities, when the magistracy seem to have had 
great doings and to have bought up, or, at least drawn away, from the surrounding towns 
of Leeds, Thirsk, Darlington, Carlisle, Cockermouth, &c, all the musical talent they could 
muster, as well as the aid of Scotch and Irish minstrels. — Guilielmus fidlar sepultus 12 Nov. 
I59L James Johnson of Darlington, Music professor, occurs 1619. Thomas Willson vul- 
gariter called bavet of Darlington (elsewhere Tho. Bavie alias Wilson) occurs 1621 and sub- 
sequent years in company with a number of other pipers, the last entry of the sort being in 
1673 of a piper of Blackwell. John Jackson of Blackwell, a blind fidler, aged 59, bur., 1812. 
Henry Wetherelt, harper (fidicen), bur. 1622-3. — 1674, For drink and musick at the com- 
mon dayes worke, 2s. Gd. — (Bondgate Book).— One of the fields of Grange estate was named 
Fidler's close. — It was common for travellers to be victimized both in ear and purse with 
music at their various halts. The Waits were in their proper avocation ivatches, enliven- 
ing the night. The three waits at Durham played a tune and then called the hour. 

* Richardson's Imprints. 

t The Sword-dance (mentioned by Tacitus as common among our German ancestors) is 
sparingly kept up by fantastic groups at Christmas, but they do not perforin the ancient 
drama, and the custom is lifeless. Hurworth is a great producer of sword-dancers. 

+ u xiie Towneship of Blackwell being fallen into divers inconveniences by reason of the 
neglect of certain ancient customes, hath thought fit to revive them with a common con- 
sent, and to incerte them in their common booke, whereby their yong-men may have know- 
ledg therof, and their inconveniences by that means may be taken away." " In testimony 
of which condicenc'on and agreement the neighbours" set their hands to the document, not 
in 1707, the date given, but, from seme unaccountable delay, ill 1718-19. The names of 
Cuth. Pepper and John Pemberton (the quondam lord of Aislaby) occur. The customs re- 
late to the calling and proceedings at " by-laws," and have little interest. 



BLACKWELL BOOK. 291 

boate twice with lieu and cry, 2c?. : Carring two cripples to Darneton, Ad., given to 
either of them 2c?. : To 5 poore and laime, with a horse, 6d. : For guarding a theefe over 
Tease, 4d. - - ■■ 1657, To the booke keeper, 3s.*: To a woman and a wench, id. : For 
passing the hen and crie warrant, 2c?. : To two men with a passe from Colo. Wren, 4c?. 

1658, For earning two women to Darlington on horsebac, 4c?., given for being rid 

of them, 2c?, : For setting Mason away and for apparrell for him as followeth ; a coat, 
35., a dublitt, 3s., a shirt, Is. 6c?., a hatt, Is., a paire of showes, Is. 6d., a paire of stock- 
ings, Is. 8c?., a paire of britches, 2s. 6d., given him in mony 2s. 6d. : Three severall fower- 

pences, Is. : For four horses to cripples, 8c?. 1659, My cherges to Durham staing 

all night, 2s. : For giveing a list at Durham what the alehouse keepers pay excise, Is. : 

To two men which had been taken by pirates, 6c?. 1683, For carrying a criple to 

Croft and 4c?. which was given to the same criple by Sir William's order, Is. : Given to 
eighteen passengers together, 6d. 1685, The accounts were seen and allowed ac- 
cording to the custome vizt. lc?. a passenger with a passe, 3c?. or 4c?. a lodger, Is. to 
Awckland [petty sessions] and 25. to Durham [sessions]. 1687, Remainder [of con- 
stable's sess] Is. Aid. which was given to the constable in respect of his moderate charge. 

1691, A sesse gatherd at 18s. 4c?.f p. li. for repairing the loss of Mr. Tillum's 

money taken from him in this ward of Darlington. 1693, For paving 193 rood of 

cawsey, 5?. 4s., for filling a sand-hole and scouring a stell at Hamper Carr, % and setting 

away the water at Towne end Is. 6c?., for wood for the stoops and setting 2s. 6d. 

1694, To John Rudd for 92} roods of cawsey 4?. 12s. 6d., spent when we bargained Is. : 
For leading of 4 rood of stones Is. : two women for carrying stories Is. : Spent when 

wee paid the workemen ls.§ In 1678 Edw. Browne and wife agreed to keep and 

maintain Tho. Morgan son of Jo. Morgan with meat and drink convenient for him for 
tenpence per week. In 1696, Nought Bridge || emerged from a construction of timber 
laid on stone piers to a stately erection of two brick arches, which were duly fashioned 
by Stellon the housewright and Hunter the mason for 20?., and the timber and iron 
bolts of the old bridge. The 20?. " was laid at four times the book of rates," and was 
collected by the contractors " as much as would serve them," save 3s. paid by the sur- 
veyors. [The old stone piers were retained.] 

1661. The following singular licence is transcribed from the original penes R. H. 
Allan, esq. : — " John by the prouidence of God Bishop of Duresme To all Justices of 
peace SherifFes Bailifes and other officers whatsoeuer within the County Palatine of 
Duresme and Sadberge Greeteing Knowe Yee that whereas wee haue beene informed 
crediblely on behalfe of Henry Shaw yeeman that he is a free Boroughman of Darling- 
ton and that he and his ancesters haue solde grocerys and other wayres in Darlington 
as a Chapman there and that he hath noe other trade or calleing whereby he can main- 
taine his wife and many small children and familie haueing onely one small house in 
Darlington and haueing bene lately molested for vseing that trade as not haueing serued 
an apprentice therevnto by the space of seauen yeares contrary to the forme of the Sta- 
tute in that case made and prouided and still greatly feareing to be troubled for the same 

* Ordered the year before. Is. had previously been paid. In 1687 5s. was paid. 

+ The heavy rates appearing in old township books lose their terrific appearance when 
the absurd smallness of the sums used as guides in the Book of Rates are considered. They 
merely fixed the proportions. 

$ One of the Grange enclosures, the green surface of which bears no resemblance to a 
watery carr now. The causey was evidently that extending from Blackwell to Prescott's 
stile on the way to Darlington. It is a substantial work still, bounded by vast outside 
stones ; and albeit the carrs have yielded to improvement, and the low road is no longer 
little better than a morass, the magnum opus of the " neighbourhood" of Blackwell in wet 
weather is a real comfort to this clay, and may be calculated upon as fitted to last at least 
another century. A continuation may be dimly traced in the fields between Prescott's stile 
and Woodside, and who shall fix the age of the thorns which bound the whole work. The 
stell in Hamper Carr conveyed the water from the Blackwell road" at the town end" into 
Humblesyke till last year, when it was converted into a drain. 

§ Every meeting, bylaw or otherwise, was the occasion of a " drink." 
|| See p. 40. Called in one place this year Nough Bride. 



292 DOMESTIC. 

Wee neuerthelesse heareing that the said Henry Shaw is of good name and faime 
amongst his neighbors and haueing consideration of his poore estate for diuerse causes 
vs moueing as much as in vs is are content to lycence tollerate and suffer the said Henry 
Shaw to vse and exercise the trade and occupation of a grocer or merchent or Chapman 
within the Towne of Darlington aforesaid or elsewhere within the said County Palatine 
of Duresme and Sadberdge not willing that he in or for exerciseing of the said Trade 
shall from hencefourth be impeached mollested fined sued or any way disquieted by vs 
or our successors or any Justices the Sheriffs or other Bailifes or officers within the 
County Palatine aforesaid for any fine forfiture or penaltie which by reason thereof or 
by force of the statute aforesaid to vs or our Successors shall bee due or appertaining. 
Jn Wittnesse whereof wee haue hereunto set our hand and priuate seale Giuen at Dur- 
ham this three and twentieth of September in the xiij th yeare of our Soueraigne Lord 
Charles 2d by the grace of God king of England Scotland France and Jreland defender 
of the faith &c. Anno Dom' 1661 and of our Consecration the first. Io : Duresme." 
Small Seal of Cosin. The document would prove the existence of a Merchants' Com- 
pany at Darlington. 

1665. The entries begin in " A Booke of remembrance, or an inrolment of memora- 
ble things belonging to Bondgate in Darlington," which the Greeve kept. The lists 
of officers however begin in 1630 and end 1722. There is mention of May Lands, 
Yowlands, " Towns land that payes Pinders oates, in all 33 oxg. 3 feet and l-6th part ; 
these are lyable to scoure the pinders stell at the bridge proportionably," the Burrages, 
&c* I extract a few items from the surveyors' accounts : — Jan. 22th : 1666 : Memoran- 
dum that it was agreed by the neighbours of the Burrough in Darlington at a Bylaw that 
an Assessment of 4c?. per foote be collected of Brankin Moore according to the Auld stint 
which corns to 14 nobles, And alsoe an Assessment of all the Bourrough houses accord- 
ing to a 3 months sess, as is gathered for the Royall ayde which corns to 465. & 3c?. 3 
farthings, be alsoe collected and gathered, for discharginge the said Inhabitants from 2 
declarations which is com out of the Crowne office against them touching and concern- 
ing there high wayes : which said assesments was indevoured to be collected by severell of 
the Neighbours & was all gotten : except 125. Id. as by ther notes doth appere, so they 
received of Booth the assesments 061. 07s. OOd. : Received more of Robert Ward Sur- 
vaior 01/. 00s. 006?. : Received more Edward Pearson Cunstable 02?. 005. OOd. : Received 

in all for this business 09/. 075. OOd. Wm. Priscott. February 11 th: 1666: 

Paied to Mr. Rob. Coulthurst [see p. 256] uppon our a agrement with him for the cleare- 
ing of our towne from this sute and trouble, in mony as apperes by his acquittance 
3/. 85. : but in truth he never did it. and soe by his neclect we were put to more charge 
and forced to Imploy Mr. Tho : Gill of Barton, whoe did effect our work, unto whome 
we paid at severall times as apperes by his severell s acquittanees the sum of 61. 35. Ad. 
Paid 9?. lis. 4c?., Reed. 91. 7s. Od. : soe there is disbursed more then received 45. 4c?. 
Wm. Priscott. - - - 1667. Spent at Widdow Surtisses, 3d. : Robert Cuthbert for 
his draught one day, 55. : A man one day, 8c?. : A cart and a man one day 25. 8d. : 
two carts and seven men, 95. 2*?. : For drink bread and tobacco to them and the com- 
mon dayes people, 35. 7d. : To Peter Bowbank for bringing a stone from Sadbridge 
6c?. : For mending the Hermitage cawsay 6s. 3d. : For mending the gantre [for the 

drink to stand on] in Yarme lane 6d. : For mending Bondgate well, 15. 1668. 

To Jane Thompson for gathered stones, 45. : For warning the out houses, 2c?. : nine 
woem&n at 3c?. per day, and two woeman at 4c?. per day, 25. lie?. : To Jon. Watt- 
son for paveing three days at 16c?. per day, 45. ; two servers for three days, 35.: 
To Wiijf Waistle for ordering the small stones Moudon Laine, 4c? : 2 journeys to 

* Sir Jeremah Smisson occurs 1674 and 1676 in " arears which cannott be gotten tobe 
deducted," headed " ft. s. d. fa. bod." (bodies). He was an oddish character. " Anne, sup- 
posed daughter of Sir Jeremiah Smithson, fathered of the said Sir Jeremiah in the churchy 
bap. 9 Ap. 1662."— Forcett. 

f This extraordinary method of writing William is common in this year's account. The 
m is not so transmogrified in any other word. 



DRUNKEN BARNABY. 293 

Dm ham, 4s. : Paid att Tho. Parkinsons upon Jutis Carr view of the laine, 66*. 6d : 
The Clarke off peace 5s., and the Oyer fid. : Mending the horse brigge in Branking 

moore laine, Is. : Returned to the new Surveyors a firme hack and an old shuffle. 

1675. 6 men for clencsing the Scearne one day 3s. 10c?. : 3 burdens of whins 9d. : Mat- 
thew Taylorson for 21 cart load of brick, 5*. 3d. : Henry Wright for 2 carts half a day 
fo. Harmataig 2s. 9d. : Tho. Longstaff for mending the Church hack and iron layd on 
it, 9d. : To John Wright which he gave in earnege for the broken brick, 5s. : For a 
shovell I4d. : L;ickenby boy for casting stones, %d. : John Parkinson till 3 a'clock, 6d. : 
Ralph Elstob for a peeeday 2d. : Mr. Hilton for drawing the bond from Tho. Phillips 

which we had from him for uphoulding the causeys he payved, Is. 1676. Allice 

Pilkington for 8 load of small stones, 2s. 8d. 

1665. Feb. 20. " I John Warde of Darlington &c. Woollen draper by the holy In- 
spirac'on of Almighty God make this my will, &c. — to be buried where God shall call 
me out of this troublesome world, where my executor pleaseth — my father Rob. Ward 
of Dinsdale, co. Yorke — my two daughters Ann Ward and Eliz. Ward — my father shall 
have a reasonable thing for their educac'on out of their porcons." 

1667. Edw. Elgie of Bishop Awckland, mason — to Dorothy my wife my best peece 
of silver plate which I wonn at Darlington and my houses in Darlington for life, then 
to Michael son of my bro. Anth. E. and if my bro. Anth. have another son, his name to 
be Edward and he to have the said houses : to the poore people in Darlington 5li. 

1669. " The Bishop's attorney agreed with William Burleston, Gent. Coroner of 
Darlington Ward, for the payment of sixteen shillings yearly in lieu of twelve busbells 
of oats, called Coroner's oats, from the township of Black well." The Bordlands at 
Blackwell also paid Board-Wheat, perhaps for the maintenance of the Bishop's table [at 
Darlington Manor-house ?] 

1672. Printed at Paris, the tour of Jorevin, a Frenchman, in England, in the 17th 
cent. It was copied into the Archaeologia, vol. xvi, and the names of places are spelt in 
a manner scarcely warranted by the sound, even in a foreigner's ears : — " I came after- 
wards to Feril [Ferry-Hill], Actif [Aycliffe], Darlington on the river Nisen [Skerne] and 
the river Tees, which must be passed in a ferry-boat [at Neasham]. From thence to 
Smiton [Smeaton], Alverton, Sorsk [Thirsk] on the river [Codbeck], Lermbi [Thorman- 
by ?] ; a flat country, without hills to Esmond [Easingwold]. The high road lies by 
way of Darlington to Toklife [Topcliffe], but I left in on the left to go by Chip [?] and 
York." 

1673. Died* Richard Braithwaite, esq., a native of Warcop, in Westmoreland, the 
proven author of " Drunken Barnaby," in which, as he was a very wandering gentle- 
man, he perhaps really gives some of his own tours, though in an exaggerated charac- 
ter. The Hurworth register contains the entry : — " Mr. Richard Braithwayte and Mrs. 
Frances Lawson married May 4th, 1617." 

" Venif Nasham Dei donum " Thence to Nesham, now translated, 

In csenobiarehse domum. Once a nunnery dedicated J 

Uberem vallem, salubreni venam, Valleys smiling, bottoms pleasing, 

Cursu fiuminis amsenam, Streaming rivers, never ceasing 

Lsetam sylvis et frondosam Deck'd with tufted woods and shady, 
Herce vultu speciosam. Graced by a lovely lady. 

* See his epitaph in Catterick church, where it is stated that his only son Strafford 
Braithwait, knt., by his second wife, was slain in fight with the Moors, and was buried at 
Tangier. 

f " Littora lentiscis, gemmarunt germina gemmis, 
Murenulis concha?, muricibusque comse. 
" Where shores yield lentisks, branches pearled gems, 
There lamprels shells, their rocks soft mossy stems." 

£ Which the Lawsons then held. 



294 DOMESTIC 

" Veni Darlington, prope vicum, " Thence to Darlington, where I boused, 

Conjugem duxi peraraicam ; Till at length I was espoused ; 

Nuptiis celebrantur festa, Marriage feast and all prepar'd, 

Nulla admittuntur msesta ; Not a fig for th' world I cared : 

Pocula noctis daut progressum, All night long by th' pot I tarry'd, 

Ac si nondura nuptus essem." As if I had not been raarry'd." 

After a few more peccadilloes, he bids a solemn farewell to all his follies, on his mar- 
riage and increasing years. He becomes a drover. From Northallerton fair 

" Veni Darlington, servans leges Thence to Darlington never swerving 

In custodiendo greges. From our drove laws worth observing." 

And somewhat later is enchanted again with our lovely lawns of Tees : — 

" Nunc ad Richmond, primo flore, Now to Richmond, when Spring's come on, 

Nunc ad Nesham cum uxore, Now to Nesliam with my woman ; 

Lseto cursu properamus, With free course we both approve it, 

Et amamur et amamus : Where we love, and are beloved ; 

Pollent floribus ambulacra, Here fields flower with freshest creatures, 

Vera Veris simulachra." Representing Flora's features." 

In after life he settled at Appleton near Catterick, upon what his biographer calls " an 
employment, or rather a second marriage." He wrote an epitaph on his first wife, whose 
mother was a Conyers. 

" Teisis me genuit, sponsatam Westria cepit, 
Corpus Candalium. Pectus Olympus habet." 
" Near Darlington was my dear darling borne, 
Of noble house which yet bears honor's forme, 
Teese-seated Sockburn, where by long descent 
Conyers was lord ." 

1679. I hope the almost exulting memorandum of the first recorded exciseman here 
had no real significance in its reiteration: — "Mr. Robert Cocks an exciseman was 
buried at Darl : buried."" The language implies non-residence. " Mr. John Wood the 
exciseman" w r as buried in 1683-4. 

1685. 29 2 Wood Hens were paid in Black well. Mr. Whayre Fawcett (the heiv, jure 
uxoris, of John Cornforth) paid the greatest number, viz. 6^ hens. 

1694. " At Darlington in the Bishoprick of Durham, on the 2nd of July 1694, about 
3 of the Clock in the afternoon, a great dark cloud, arising from the West and by North, 
spread itself very wide over the compass of a great quantity of ground, when imme- 
diately a clap or two of thunder breaking from it with some flashes of lightning ere the 
travellers and such as were getting in their hay and about other rural affairs could get 
shelter, to which they hasted as fearing only a terrible wetting, great hailstones fell down 
to the bigness of pigeons eggs in great abundance, insomuch that divers people were sore 
hurt as also the smaller sort of cattle who stood piteou sly crying and blating in the fields 
and on the plains, the shepherds by the sudden surprize being forc'd to fly to shelter and 
leave them. The tiles and windows in some villages thereabouts were miserably shatter 'd 
and broken, and divers starks crows and daws then upon the wing were beaten down, 
some dead and some wounded. 

" The main force of this terrible storm continued scarce a quarter of an hour, but the 
oldest people declare they never saw any so fierce in all their time. The storm being 
over, divers of the stones were taken up and found to be 4, 5, and 6 inches in circumfer- 
ence and many in various forms, as swords, coronets, pears, peaches, plumbs, bearded 
ears of corn, roots and flowers, and divers others, which they really resembl'd or peoples 
fancy enclin'd them to."* 

* From " God's Marvellous Wonders in England, containing divers strange and wonder- 



BULL-BAITING. 295 

1700. Sep. 10. Robert the son of Joseph Goodden [qu. an assumed name, being the 
exact pronunciation of good one] Mountebank , Darlington, bap. Some other notices of 
early performers occur, such as Mr. William Quelch of London, a comedian, 1747 ; Mr. 
Stephen Butcher, late of Coventry, a comedian, 1749 ; Henry White of a company of 
comedians now at D. 1758. William Bence, a stranger and puppet-shew-man, was 
buried 7 Jan. 1765. 

1710. " We lay a pain of 6s. 8d. upon any Butcher that shall kill any Bull unbated 

and the like penalty upon the Bailiff for not finding a Rope" 1723. The like order, 

adding " or shall sell its flesh within the Borough," penalty, 135. 4d. (Borough Booh). 
The idea was to throw blood into the flesh and thus shew it was bull-meat. The last 
bull-baiting here was about 60 years ago.* On that occasion Robin Gascoigne, a bird- 
catcher, came out of the Post House Weind in very gallant array ; the horns, tail, &c. 
of the valiant brute being profusely decorated with blue ribbons, which adorned Robin 
himself, who bestrode the back of the bull, which proved a very stupid obstinate animal, 
and " there was no fun." At a former baiting the bull broke loose, causing all young- 
sters to creep beneath the old shambles. He went against an inn door in which were 
quantities of women and children, it was however fortunately just shut against him in 
time. He then ran along the Skerne and surprised an old gentleman in his garden, who 
very composedly said "Stop a bit, man, till I get out of thy way," and, though infirm, 
darted past and shut his door. The bull eventually was taken by some butchers in a 
narrow yard. I have also heard of the enfuriated animal, on other occasions here, run- 
ning down a cellar, breaking a regiment of pots kept there in all directions ; and play- 
ing a similar prank in the cellar of a tobacco manufactory, where it thrust its nose into 
a barrel of snuff ! The ring, to which the rope was fastened, still remains in the mar- 
ket place pavement where this inhuman sport was enacted, near the large lamp pillar. 

1726. The bills of Darlington lawyers of this period are amusing. They frequently 
place a moderate or " about" sum, and add to the item a gentle hint that the client 
might give " what you please," or they leave the matter in total uncertainty, saying 
" 135. 4c?., or 10^., or 6s. 8d." casting up with the least sum. The carriage of a box 
from London was little more than the present charge, being only 4s .t 

1731. Bp. Chandler demises to Charles Moore, of the Inner Temple, esq., " The Bur- 
rough Bakehouse , the Toll booth, the shops under the pillory, all manner of Tolls whatso- 
ever they be of and in the Burrough of Darlington, A ff raves, Amerciaments of the Bur- 
rough Court there, Suits of Court, Brew Farme, Leek Farme, of or in the same Burrough 
or Towne," for the lives of Daniell Moore William Moore and the said Charles Moore ; 
rent 16/. ; and appointed Thomas Wycliff, esq., and Thomas Langstaff, gent., his attor- 
neys to deliver seisin. 

1739. In a curious canvassing book at Streatlam, drawn up sometime previous to 
the election of Mr. George Bowes for Durham. 1741, — Cradock, esq., of Hartford, Yks., 
is stated to have " pro. self at Darlington Races, 1739." 

John Confers, a pauper, sworn before Hen. Forth, esq., at Darlington, stated "that 
upon his marriage with Dorothy his now wife (which was about 40 years ago) he be- 
came seized for his life of the manor or lordship of Wigington in the North Riding of 
the county of Yorke and also of a freehold estate in the township of Wigington aforesaid 
of 60/. a year and upwards, and was possessed of the said mannor and estate (and was 
assessed, &c, and kept his court baron for the said manor once in every year) for about 
6 years, after which time he sold the same to one Mr. John Brown — hath not since 
gained any legall settlement elsewhere. John Conyers." (A good bold signature). 

ful relations that have happened since the beginning of June, this present year. 12mo 
Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden-ball in Pye-corner, 1694," a chapbook penes J. Or- 
chard Halliwell, esq., to whom 1 am indebted for the passage in the text. The most mar- 
vellous wonders" are a shower of wheat in Wiltshire 27 June, and " sundry grass fields 
sprouting up with corn where none has been known to be sown for iv years past, near 
Maidstone in Kent, in the grounds of an honest farmer who was very charitable to the 
poor in these bad times." The capture of a whale, and discovery of two murders, come 
more to our present ideas. * Inf. Edw. Pease, esq. t Allan Archives, R. H. A. 



296 DOMESTIC. 

1748. " A Gentleman" in his tour through Great Britain, after stating how Darling- 
ton excelled in Huggabags of ten quarters wide, which were made nowhere else in Eng- 
land, proceeds thus : — " A greater rarity, I may mention in this town, was our Landlord, 
at the Fleece Inn, by name Henry Lovell, who died in May, 1739, in the 93d year of his 
age, and had kept this inn ever since 1688. He was never known to have one hour's 
sickness, nor even the head-ach, tho" a free toper of ale, sometimes for days and nights 
successively, but had an aversion to drams of all kinds, and retained his hearing, sight, 
and memory, to his last moments. He never made use of spectacles, nor ever lost a 
tooth. He was esteemed in his life, and lamented at his death, being of a humane tem- 
per, and had the deportment of a gentleman.' 

1749. An ingenious correspondent, who subscribes himself " Conyers," thus eulogizes 
Darlington in the Universal Magazine : — " In the middle is a spacious market-place up- 
wards of 200 yards long, and 130 broad, well filled on Mondays, its market-days ; and 
a much greater every other Monday from the first of March to Christmas for cattle and 
sheep. N. B. There is also a small market on Fridays ; the shambles are well stocked 
with good meat always. I have seen a quarter of mutton there weigh 43 pounds weight. 
It is the chief town of the hundred of its own name, a post town, and the most noted 
place in the whole world for the linnen manufacture of that sort called Huckabacks, so 
much used for table-cloths and napkins, being made from half-ell to 3 yards wide, and 
the price from Id. a yard to 185. ; great quantities of which are sent yearly to London, 
the broad sort being made no where else in England. There is also fine plain linnen 
cloth made to 7s. 6d. per yard, and a large woollen manufactory carried on there ; at 
present it is a thriving place, and all sorts of necessaries of life are as cheap here as in 
any part of the country. It is also a good place for fire. N. B. Two lambs, bred this 
year (1748) were sold, the 10th of October, 1748, in this market for 71. sterling." 

The years 1749 and 1750 were memorable for a very fatal distemper among cattle in 
the Northern counties. The disease having spread from the South into the North Rid- 
ing of Yorkshire, on Apr. 5, 1749, the general quarter sessions of Durham ordered that 
no live cattle, or their slaughtered carcases, wool, skins, or tallow, &c. should be suffered 
to pass or be brought over the Tees northward, till the court should order to the con- 
trary. Notwithstanding, the disease appeared at Cleadon, near South Shields, in March 
1749, and in May at Darlington, where one farmer lost five cows, another three, and a 
third, Mary Wardel, of Blackwell, lost twenty. The order for proclaiming the appear- 
ance of the distemper at Blackwell, in open Market at Darlington, every market day, 
addressed to the Bailiff, is dated May 12, 1749. On June, 1750, the orders were reversed, 
the plague being stayed. The favourite remedy of the country people, not only in the 
way of cure, but of prevention, was an odd one ; it was to smoke the cattle almost to 
suffocation, by kindling straw, litter, and other combustible matter about them. The 
effects of this are not stated, but the most singular part of it was that by which it was 
reported to have been discovered. An angel (says the legend) descended into Yorkshire, 
and there set a large tree on fire ; the strange appearance of which, or else the savour of 
the smoke, incited the cattle around (some of which were infected) to draw near the mi- 
racle, where they all either received an immediate cure or an absolute prevention of the 
disorder. It is not affirmed that the angel staid to speak to anybody, but only that he 
left a written direction for the neighbouring people to catch this supernatural fire, and 
to communicate it from one to another with all possible speed throughout the country ; 
and in case that, by any unhappy means, it should be extinguished and utterly lost, 
that then new fire, of equal virtue, might be obtained, not by any common method, but 
by rubbing two pieces of wood together till they ignited. Upon what foundation this 
story stood, is not exactly known, but it put the farmers actually into a hurry of com- 
municating flame and smoke from one house to another with wonderful speed, making 
it run like wildfire over the country* 

* Newcastle Gen. Mag. The following notes by Mr. John Orel, of Newtown, upon the 



COCKPITS. ARCHERS. 297 

1752. "June 6. Monday, the greatest market for wool ever known there [at Dar- 
lington], 1000/. laid out therein .* 

1753. Sep. 30. Two young men went to the house of Mr. Moncaster, dyer, in Dar- 
lington, and after knocking at his door, asked Mr. Moncaster if his daughter was with- 
in, with other enquiries respecting her, and being denied admittance, they forced open 
the door, and went into the house, on which a scuffle ensued, in which Mr. Moncaster 
was so inhumanly used and biuised by strokes with their whips, &c, that he died with- 
in an hour after.t 

1756. At Stockton-upon-Tees, on Sep. 14, and following days, a main of cocks were 
fought between the gentlemen of Darlington and Helmsley, which consisted of twenty- 
two battles, twelve won by the former and ten by the latter.^ In 1773, the famous pit of 
the town was the Three Tuns' Pit, where, on May 12, there was a cock-fight " for the 
benefit of Oswald Robinson." Gargett's cockpit was in Priestgate. A cockpit existed 
in very recent times in Skinnergate, where the late Mr. Ord, of Newtown, leased a pro- 
perty for twenty-one years to one Thomas Claxton, who at the time vociferously ex- 
claimed, " Depend upon it, Mr. Ord, if I take the premises, I'll soon make a perfect 
paradise of the place !" Three or four years afterwards the owner went to share the de- 
lights of paradise, and to his surprise and disgust found that Tommy's idea of it con- 
sisted in a cockpit ! 

1758. Founded, the society of " Gentlemen Archers of Darlington." Among the 
first subscribers are the names of Mr. James Allan, Rev. Mr. Nicholson, Wm. Chaytor* 
esq., Henry Chaytor, jun., esq., Thomas Peirse, jun., esq., Mr. George Allan, Mr. John 
Pease, Mr. Ralph Tunstall, John Wright, esq., William Moore, esq., Mr. Thomas Lee, 
&c. They purchased a silver medal, chain, and case, III. ; a silver gorget, 21. 2s. ; and 
a " horn spoon and tiping with silver loz., 75. 6c?." The medal is the captain's prize for 
the first gold. Obverse, an oval upon a group of quivers, bows and arrows, inscribed : — 
"Instituted by the Gentlemen Archers of Darlington 25 March, 1758/" and legend : — 
" Hie honos erit quique levibus sagittis valet."' Reverse, 3 archers at their pastime : — 

early state of that place will prove interesting.— When I was young, the timber on the pro- 
perty was not very plentiful, and only to be found in hedge rows ; it consisted chiefly of 
ash with a few sycamores, elms of bad quality, and common maple or dog-tree ; almost 
every ash tree had formerly been lopped or the tops taken off, and many of them were 
much decayed and become hollow in their trunks, affording harbour and nests for owls, 
hawks, and other birds. Frequently in the summer season a swarm of bees has been dis- 
covered in the bowels of the decapitated logs, and the rich honey made a joyful feast to 
rural pilferers. I was informed that during some of the years between 1740 and 1750 a 
great famine prevailed in the vicinity of Newtown, and there being no provision or grass 
on the ground during July and August for the cattle, the farmers and their servants were 
for weeks employed every day in cutting off the tops and branches of all the ash trees, 
young and old, which grew on the property. They told me the cows, oxen, &c, no sooner 
heard the noise of the axe, than they ran lowing and bellowing to the place of destruction 
to procure sustenance. Many of the old tenants of the hedge row are yet standing and 
look very picturesque, showing their gigantic and decayed trunks amongst the thousands 
of fine healthy young trees lately planted. 

In the year 1747 [1749 ?] a fatal disease called the plague or murrain prevailed in this 
county, and the farmers at Newtown lost most of their beasts. It happened during winter, 
and not an ox, cow, heifer or calf survived in the byers or folds at that place, to the great 
loss of the owners ; and what caused the calamity to be of more serious consequence was, 
that in tilling the ground at that time more oxen were employed for draught than horses. 
The oxen were often kept to great ages. Fortunately to the farm-house where I reside 
there belonged, and still belong, two fold yards, at more than half a mile distance, where 
many of the horned cattle were then kept with hay and staw, and to which place the con- 
tagion did not reach. The reason assigned for their providential preservation was that my 
grandmother (then newly married) undertook their care and management, and for some 
months went with great regularity twice a day to administer their quota of provision, the 
snow being some times very deep, and the drifts far above the tops of the gates and fences. 
On these occasions she was very cautious on leaving and re-entering the house to change 
her garments, to prevent the infection from spreading. It was an arduous undertaking for 
a young female, but by care and perseverance she most assuredly saved the lives of all the 
animals in the two distant folds. 



* Allan MSS. D. and C. f Newcastle Gen. Mag. 

Historical List of Horse-Matches, &c, in 1756, by Reginald Ilcber ! 



2P 



298 DOMESTIC. 

" Ostende artem pariter arcumque sonantem." The gorget is the lieutenant's prize for 
the first red, and is inscribed :— " Secundus hoc contentus abito." " Such persons who 
shall pierce, enter, or break the white circle, shall wear [in succession] in their hats or 
some other conspicuous place, a horn spoon." It is inscribed " Risum teneatis amid.'" 
The original subscription district of four miles was extended to ten the same year, and 
the members determined with due pomp :— " And whereas we are of opinion that some 
Additions are still wanting which wou'd further add to the Dignity of this Society, We 
have therefore purchased a Silk Banner with this Company's Arms thereon, and have 
cloath'd a Poor Boy in Green." These arms appear in the book and articles of the so- 
ciety, which were written and illustrated by the elegant pen and pencil of Allan the an- 
tiquary. They are, Vert, 3 long bows proper. Crest, on a wreath, sable and or, a 
sheaf of six arrows saltierwise, or. In 1760, Richard Hodgson, the captain for the half 
year, proud in his integrity, refused to give the customary security for the medal ; it was 
ordered that the late captain should retain the same, and at the next meeting the gen- 
tlemen archers " absolutely refused to lett Richard Hodgson shoot that day ;" and next 
year the offender agreed to comply with the rules. The silk banner had been at first 
delivered to the lieutenant with the gorget, but was afterwards made an ensign's prize, 
for the first blue. In 1767, the colours being in pieces, the members present were "unan- 
imous in opinion [qu. all saw with their own eyes] that the silver chain annexed to the 
medal is very cumbersome, and rather defaces the medal by being kept therewith ; and 
that the silver cup belonging to this society has several holes therein, and consequently 
[dear, what a phenomeon !] is of no use." They ordered cup and chain to be sold and 
a new cup bought for the lieutenant. In 1770, the half-yearly meetings were discon- 
tinued for yearly ones. About 1835 a silver bugle was made a prize for the captain of 
numbers. In 1847, a gold medal was purchased, design a Brunswick star with the 
colours of the target enamelled in the centre, a bow, and three arrows in gold being laid 
across it. This prize for the highest gross score was intended to be shot for once a 
month in the summer season* 

Mr. G. J. Wilson of this society won a prize for the greatest number of hits at eighty 
yards at the grand national meeting at York, in 1848, and a subscription salver for the 
best gold in 1838, at Dinsdale, where the archers of Darlington, Richmond, and Bishop- 
Auckland had assembled. 

The " ancient silver arrow" of the Scorton archers has frequently been shot for at Dar- 
lington, the names of Robert Eden, esq., John Bowes, esq., and the Hon. Tho. Vane oc- 
curring among the earlier captains and lieutenants at the meetings here. The arrow is 
frequently termed the " golden arrow," and within the last few years bore traces of gild- 
ing. It is said to have been given by Hen. Calverley, esq., of Eryholme, in 1673 ; a state- 
ment probably arising from the circumstance of that gentleman winning it in that year 
in which the society was formed. However, the meetings were at first restricted to a 
district within six miles of Eryholme, a number afterwards enlarged to twenty ; and to 
suit modern enervation, the time of meeting has altered from eight to ten, a. m. The 
arrow appears from 1673 to have always been known as " ancient,'' and it is inferred 
that the shooting for it was only revived when the articles were formed. A horn spoon 
inscribed " Risum teneatis, amici," is said to be contemporary, and some other prizes 
have been added. Great bets ran between the Darlington and Durham gentlemen, w r hen 
the Darlington champion, Thomas Watson, won the arrow at Ferryhill, 1765. The 
prize lists are crowded with Darlington names. 

1767. April. " An account of the inhabitants of the Town of Darlington, household- 
ers, what they farm, their rent, and where their settlements are," was taken in districts, 
by three gentlemen to each. The result is as follows :f — 

* See " Hargrove's Anecdotes of Archery" for the rules and an engraving of the silver 
medal. The costume is a green coat, with a club gilt button ; buff waistcoat ; white corded 
trousers ; green velvet cap, with loose top, and silver band ; a green leather belt and ar- 
row pouch. f Original, penes R. H. Allan, esq., and synopsis in Allan MSS. D. and C. 



NEWSPAPERS. 299 

Families. Inhabitants. No. Sett. 

Church Row 29 91 28 

Bakehouse Hill 13 56 15 

Horse Market 42 183 10 

Hungate 16 71 24 

Blackwellgate 74 173 57 

Head Row 60 240 39 

Richardson's Yard 23 86 36 

Post-house Wynd 17 79 21 

Skinnergate 148 507 173 

Bondgate 160 500 175 

Northgate 135 510 91 

Prebend Row 24 105 13 

Priestgate 25 115 31 

TubwellRow 80 287 71 

Clay Row 42 141 51 



888 3144 835 



1770. Plans for a new Town house were made by Mr. Samuel Wilkinson,* of the 
King's Head Inn. This edifice was to have small cupolas at the corners, the N. and S. 
fronts to extend eighty-four feet, and the E. and W. seventy- two feet. In the centre from 
W. to E. the shambles were to extend, and to have a pump, the dungeon was to occupy 
the N. E. corner, while in the upper story of the West front was to be a large room, 
forty-eight by twenty-one feet, lighted by five windows. Style, Italian of course. Some 
rather rude copies of the plans and elevations are penes R. H. Allan, esq. 

1772. May 22. The first number of " The Darlington Pamphlet, or, County of 
Durham Intelligencer, published weekly, price Two-pence," by J. Sadler, appeared. 
Each number contained eight pages of foolscap size. Advertisements " of a moderate 
length" were taken in at 35. 6d. each. November following saw its exit, but it was 
immediately succeeded by " The Darlington Mercury ; or, Durham Advertiser,"" also 
printed by Sadler, an eight-paged quarto, price Two-pence half-penny, being a less size 
at a higher price. The advertisement " of moderate length'' for 35. 6d. is denned as not 
exceeding thirty lines. As in modern papers, disgusting quack advertisements form a 
staple fund for the printer. There is, however, a sensible article copied from the " York 
Chronicle" on the subject, exposing a composition manure of Baron Von Haake, who 
declared that " by its magnetic quality it unites the powers of all the four elements ; 
that 16 lb. of it are sufficient to manure a statute acre of land, if the soil be not very 
barren, and that this quantity shall last without further help for eight years." This 
splendid composition appears to have been nothing more nor less than common sea wa- 
ter evaporated and reduced to a solid form. 

I have seen the Mercury to Aug. 6, 1773. At a recent sale in London of scarce books, 
and other antique relics of the " olden time," a full set of the Darlington newspapers, 
bound together, consisting of both series, in fine condition (now very rare to be met 
with), and including a Newcastle newspaper, in the obituary of which is recorded the 
death of " Mr. Darlington Mercury," sold for 71. 10s. 

* A clever artist, frequently employed in illustration by Allan. He was the draughts- 
man of Cade's view of the church in 1774, and of a large general view of the town from 
Park Lane in 1760, from which I have given the bridge and centre of a town in a plate. 
The subscription price was 4s., the size twenty-two by eighteen inches, and it was pub- 
lished in 1776 from the burin of Bailey. It is a fine spirited plate, with an inscription 
to the Earl of Darlington. Clay Row has a good line of trees, and the whole town is rich 
in old orchards and garths attached to the burgages. In the foreground is a burgess " with 
a decent weapon in his hand," and a shepherd piping to a milkmaid in the true Damon 
taste of the age. Wilkinson retired in 1772, died in 1803, and was buried in the church ; a 
dole of five guineas being paid to the churchwardens for the poor by his executor Mr. An- 
thony Bower. 



800 . DOMESTIC. 

1 772. June. Tremendous and fatal thunder storms pervaded the country. Wm. Chil- 
ton, a farmer, near this town, had a mare struck dead by the lightning ; his wife and three 
children were within a few yards of her at the time, but fortunately received no harm. 

Mr. Thomas Bates's company of comedians performed at the New Theatre in this 
town for the first time on Whitsun-Monday. Tickets were to be had, in 1773, at the 
inns and of Mr. Bates at Mr. Thomas Todd Hunter's in Northgate (afterwards Bond- 
gate). At this time Cunningham* was one of the actors. He writes from Darlington, 
in June, 1772, to Ritson : — " I stumbled on a pair of stairs in an hurry going to rehear- 
sal, and hurt my side pretty severely, but am better. Our business here does not an- 
swer entirely to the hopes we had encouraged, but 'tis likely 'twill mend. — There are 
carts come every day to our town with lead from Stockton, by that conveyance I shall 
hope to hear from you. Direct to Mrs. Dawson's, milliner, in the Market place, where 
the carts unload." James Cawdell was the nephew and successor of Bates, who was de- 
servedly respected, not only as a caterer for the public entertainment, but also as a friend 
and almost a father to his performers, many of whom afterwards displayed talent at the 
metropolis. He never aspired to make a figure as a performer, his most lucky charac- 
ter being that of a clown in a pantomime ; but Cawdell was an excellent performer and 
a great favourite from his talent in both public and private life, having a very happy 
facility in converting the popular topics of the day into songs. In the decline of his 
health his various theatres were purchased by Mr. Stephen Kemble. In 1785, Cawdell 
published Miscellaneous Poems, among which " Jephthah's Vow" is inscribed to Mrs. 
Allan, of Grange. There is also a poem on her benevolence. The Allans were great 
patronisers of the drama, and had a private theatre at Grange, but Darlington has now 
long forgotten Shakspere. 

In 1772 there was residing at Darlington a famous oculist named Doctor de Bello. 
His cures were advertised from time to time in due form, after the most approved mo- 
dern fashion. Ann Pierse, of Blackwell, aged 60, states that she was totally blind of 
her left eye, and the sight of her right eye very much decayed of that dismal disorder, a 
cataract, for two years, but that the Doctor restored her " to perfect sight in a Minutes 
Time." William Walker, formerly parish clerk of Haughton, aged 91, who had been 
totally blind of a cataract in each eye for three years tells the same tale, acknowledging 
that the cause of his cure was Providence, Dr. de Bello having accidentally seen him sitt- 
ing at his door. De Bello stayed at one Mrs. Perkins's, and during his absence his son 
officiated. The rector and churchwarden of Hurworth certified that a little girl of Jarvis 
Eobinson's there, who from Psorophthalmia had become blind for three months, had 
been restored to perfect sight in seven weeks time. 

July. About this time there was an extraordinary antipathy among the people to 
taking Portugal gold, which was then in abundant circulation. This went to such a 
height that when a farm house near Gainford was robbed, the villains only took some 
ten guineas out of a purse holding about 141., the rest being Portugal gold, owing, as it 
was supposed, to the difficulty of passing it. The indiscriminate refusal of this gold 

* John Cunningham, the pastoral poet, whose only vanity was when he thought he was 
an excellent actor and had attained " theatrical eminence," for which he had not a single 
requisite, performed at many of the provincial theatres of the North. On the 20th of 
June, 1773, (the year of his death) his benefit at Darlington was over ; and he wrote Mrs. 
Slack, his kind protectress, that he was going with the company to Durham ; but was 
so poorly that he resolved shortly to be in Newcastle. Alas ! he was generous to a 
fault, and always poor. An anecdote is told of him by Burns, which I cannot omit. " A 
dignitary of the church coming past Cunningham one Sunday as the poor poet was busy 
plying a fishing-rod in the Wear at Durham, his reverence reprimanded Cunningham very 
severely for such an occupation on such a day. The poet, with that inoffensive gentleness 
of manner which was his peculiar characteristic, replied, that 'he hoped God and his re- 
verence would forgive his seeming profanity of that sacred day, as he had no dinner to eat t 
but what lay at the bottom of that pool.'" He died 1773, Sep. 18, aged 44, but if we may 
judge from Bewick's portrait, he was more like 70 in appearance. Cunningham had been 
complimented by a considerable allowance from Bates's Company, which he lived but a 
short time to enjoy. Cawdell was one of his first and best friends. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 301 

caused such great inconvenience, that at a meeting at the Posthouse, on Sep. 22, the 
gentlemen and tradesmen of Darlington unanimously agreed to receive, as usual, all 
Portugal coin that was good. In Oct. Mr. J. Clement, of Darlington (banker), advertises 
to give in change for Portugal gold, guineas or London Drafts at one month. Another 
meeting was held in the Tollbooth on Feb. 26, following, and all good foreign gold agreed 
to be taken in payment, as usual. This encouragement of its circulation was, however, 
almost rendered abortive by the collectors of the revenue and the farmers in general re- 
fusing to take it, just as if a moidore of full weight was not as good as the light Eng- 
lish gold then floating in currency. 

1772. July 27. The wife of Thomas Brown, a woolcomber in this place, was de- 
livered of two boys and a girl. 

" A few days since was married, at Gretna-Green, Mr. Thomas Tweddle, of Cowton, 
to the beautiful Miss Flintoff of Slip-in, near this town, with a fortune of 1000£." — Dar- 
lington Pamphlet, Aug 7, 1772. 

1773. Feb. 21. A young woman, of Sadberge, came to this town and bought a quan- 
tity of arsenic, w T hich she took in some water, and expired soon after. She was to have 
been married the next day, but some difference with her intended husband, it was 
imagined, was the occasion of her committing this rash action. 

March. One Robson, a weaver in Northgate, having taken a boy and girl as appren- 
tices from some neighbouring parish, and received 101. with them as a fee ; the children 
w r ere observed to pick raw fish guts out of the kennel [channel] and eat them with 
greediness. The neighbours acquainted the overseers of the poor, who immediately ex- 
amined into the matter, when they found the poor children almost starved ; they having 
had nothing to subsist on for some time, except bean-meal, and that only by stealth. 
The children w T ere taken to the workhouse, and the master absconded. 

A petition from this town was presented to the House of Commons, complaining of 
the great decay of the linen trade, and of the increased importation of foreign linens. 

A subscription was entered into by several inhabitants to indict the owners of stallions, 
that shall let them be guilty of that indecent practice of covering mares in the streets, a 
nuisance that had been long complained of. 

April. William Wildman, alias William Woods, was under sentence of death at 
York Castle for his old offence of horse-stealing, a fate he had narrowly escaped at the 
same place in 1768, under the name of Robert Johnson, alias William Smith, for steal- 
ing a chaise-horse from Mr. Eden of Darlington, by his Majesty's free pardon. 

April 12. Monday. As a man, much concerned in liquor, was returning home 
through Black well, he rode over a woman with a child in her arms, the child was much 
hurt and the woman's life despaired of. 

Apr. Committed to Coventry Gaol, by John Hewitt, esq., one Bryant Holland, a 
bookbinder, for robbing his master of a quantity of materials and tools ; he appears to 
have belonged to a party of strolling players in the counties of York, Durham, &c, and 
to have been born at Ludlow, co. Salop ; he w r as supposed to have robbed other book- 
sellers where he had worked, as a considerable quantity of books, tools, leather, &c, 
were found in his apartments. He had formerly worked with Mr. Darnton, stationer, 
in this place. 

May 21. Robert , a poor fisherman, who attended this market, was attacked as 

he was returning home, upon Burdon bridge, by three villains who beat him in a most 
cruel manner, and left him for dead ; some people coming up soon after carried him to a 
house in Burdon, where he lay some time before he came to himself, but soon recovered. 

May. A remarkable fat cow was killed in this place by Mr. Geo. Coats, butcher, of 
Haughton : her four quarters weighed 96st. 8$., and the tallow Vlst. lib. ; she was 
seven years old, was bred by William Burdy, of Peirsbridge, and fed by Mr. Richard 
Thompson, Postmaster in this town. Many considerable wagers were depending on her 
weight : the knowing ones were greatly let in, it being their opinion that she w r ould not 
exceed ninety stone. 



302 DOMESTIC. 

1773. June. A salmon was caught in the river Tees, in the locks at Dinsdale, which 
measured 52m. in length, 22m. round, and weighed 4:71b. 8oz. 

July 6. As Mr. Thomas Mason, a very considerable merchant in Stockton, was return- 
ing from Cleasby to this town in the evening, and riding smartly down the lane from 
Blackwell, he fell from his horse, and was unfortunately killed on the spot. He left a 
disconsolate widow, and three small children. 

July. " Married at Carlisle, Thomas Lowry, of Blackwell, esq., a gay batchelor of 
60, and a fortune of 1000/. per ann., to his maid, a handsome accomplished girl of 25/." 

July 10. This evening a Jew from Poland was travelling through this town on his 
way to Birmingham, Sheffield, &c, to buy hardware, for which he had brought about 
90/. with him. This fact being discovered by a set of desperate, idle young fellows, they 
attacked him in Skinnergate, and not content with robbing him of all the money he had 
about him, they beat and wounded him in a most cruel manner : after which they took 
him to a pump and pumped water upon him for a considerable time, and then threw him 
over a high wall into a field behind the town. " The poor creature/' says the Darling- 
ton Mercury of the 16th, " has been delirious ever since, and is, at present, obliged to be 
confined in the workhouse. It would melt the most hardened heart to see him, some- 
times tearing his cloaths to pieces, and in a manner raving mad ; at other times making 
a most lamentable outcry for his money. Several of the offenders have been taken into 
custody, and two of them were carried before the rev. Dr. Vane, at Longnewton, who 
committed them to Durham gaol : one of them confessed he got part of the money, 
which, by his directions, was found hid in a field ; they have informed against several 
of their companions who were concerned, and the constables are making diligent search 
for them, and it is to be hoped they will succeed in securing them, as they have long 
been a terror to such of the inhabitants of this place as had occasion to go along the 
streets at night There is a person in this town who understands the Polish dialect, and 
has been very useful to the Justices in explaining what the poor Jew said on his exami- 
nation, (he can speak very little English,) the above person being absent, and his son, a 
child, being playing in the street, some person (it is imagined some of the before-men- 
tioned gang out of spite to the father) had beat and bruised him on different parts of 
his body, and he continued this morning in a very poor way." 

On the 4th August Sir William Blackstone, Knt., and on the 5th Sir Henry Gould, 
knt., passed through this town on their road to Durham to hold the assizes, when John 
Coltman, Richard Preston, Matthew Vesey, and Francis Dixon, were to be tried for 
robbing a Jew, in Darlington, of 90 guineas. Matthew Vesey was executed for the 
offence at Durham on the 23rd* 

John Flounders, at Crathorne near Yarm, advertises his bleaching of linen, and says 
that cloth would be taken in by himself at his shops in Darlington, &c, and amongst 
other agents by " William Hall, attorney at Law, Barnardcastle." 

1775. A committee and subscription formed for prosecution of felons. There are 
now prosperous associations at Darlington and Cockerton for the purpose. 

May. Inconvenience having arisen to persons who sent corn to the windmill at Dar- 
lington from the uncertainty of the wind, the owner Richard Richardson expresses that 
he had often been uneasy at the disappointments of his kind neighbours, and states that 
he had taken the water corn mill at Haughton without moulter.f 

1775. Nov. 27. As the harriers of John Burdon, of Hardwick, esq,, were running a 
hare, they chanced to unkennel a fox, which they ran and killed near Darlington, after 
a very smart chase of twenty-five miles, and crossed the Skerne : out of twenty-five 
horsemen, only two and the huntsman were in at the death. % 

In this year the book of Vestry resolutions begins. Thomas Williams in contracting 

* Darlington Mercury— Sykes. The events in 1772 and 1773 are chiefly from the Dar- 
lington newspapers and are given entire. 

f Allan MSS. D. and C. X Gillcspy's Coll. 



CATTLE. 303 

for the poor " agrees to find a proper person to execute the office of a Beadle for the 
township, who is to have a proper coat provided at the Towns Expence." In 1788 an 
Act of Parliament for the better regulation of the poor of this parish was ordered but not 
obtained. In 1790 the Overseers ordered to get William Robson, sonof Wm. Robson, 
Bricklayer, a lunatick now confin' > d[in Durham Goal released from the Gaol and put under 
the care of Dr. John Hall. 1791. April 26. Thirteen Gentlemen contract to keep the poor 
and perform all Township business at 1000/. per annum for six years. On 23 Nov. 1800, 
it was resolved that the Overseers should purchase Rye or any other kind of grain to be 
made into Meal and sold to the poor of the Township not higher than 2s. 3d. a stone. 
In 1805 the Act of 22 Geo. III. for the management of the poor was adopted. In 1819, 
" Resolved, That it is the oppinion of this meeting that the Free Grammar School is of 
little use to the Town and Parish, and that it might be made escencially so by some al- 
terations in the present statues. (Written by a Grammar Scholar, in margin)". In 
1824, the sapient vestry finding " that the evil was a growing one," ordered that patres 
nothorum should be shown up by their names being printed in the annual report with 
the amount of the weekly allowance they paid, a resolution qualified by an order in 
1825 that the initials only of those who paid, but the full names of defaulters and the 
sums due, should be given. 

1776. " Tell Story the NCastle papers miscarried the 2 last weeks and did not come 
here till Sunday morning, which was the reason he had not them in the usual course of 
post. Old Tom the Pacquet Man who brings them you know to be a sot." — Geo. Allan 
to 

1779. The Southern district of the county and the vale of the Tees had long been re- 
markable for a breed of short-horned cattle of large weight, usually termed the Tees- 
water- Breed ;* these are said to have been more than once crossed with the Dutch or 
Flemish stock. The weight to which some of these cattle attained (before any particu- 
lar attention had been paid to their improvement by a judicious selection) was very 
great. On Dec. 17, in this year, was killed at Darlington, by Mr. Geo. Coates, an emi- 
nent butcher, the most remarkable, largest and fattest ox ever exhibited in the king- 
dom ; rising six years old, bred and fed by Chris. Hill, esq., of Black well. His whole 
carcase was engaged to be cut up for the several gentlemen's families in the neighbour- 
hood at Is. the pound."t The total weight was \Q2st. 10$. Mr. Hill's " Blackwell 
Bull" was an ancestor of the fine " Sockburn Short-horns,'' on which a singular tract 
was published by Mr. John Hutchinson in 1822. " The Durham Ox", bred by Mr. 
Charles Colling, at Ketton in 1796, was supposed to weigh 1685?. when exhibited at a 
show in 1801, by Mr. Buhner, who purchased him for 140/., and in the same year sold 
him to John Day for 250/. This enormous animal (for which 2000/. was refused by 
Day) was exhibited for nearly six years in all parts of England and Scotland, and when 
slaughtered in Feb. 1807, he weighed 220st. In the spring of ... . Mr. Basnett, of 
Darlington, purchased a cow, with a bull calf (the famous Hubback) at her foot, and 
putting her into a good pasture she got so fat that it induced him to dispose of her to a 
butcher in the August following, and the calf was sold to a farmer in the neighbourhood. 
At four years old he was purchased by Mr. Robert Colling and Mr. Waistell, of Alihill, 
who at that time did not keep a bull for any other purpose than serving their feeding 
cows ; but Mr. Colling finding him have a great propensity to get fat, sold him to his 
brother Charles Colling, who was then beginning to breed, and anxious of selecting 
those with the best dispositions to fatten : for the same reasons and with the same view, 
he soon after purchased of Mr. Maynard, of Ayreholm, a cow and a heifer, her daugh- 
ter. This bull and cow, selected with so much judgment, were the original stock from 
which the celebrated Durham Ox, and the justly acknowledged superior breeds in the 

* « Beef to the heels, like a Durham heifer." 

t Original Broadside. At the same time and place were killed three wether sheep, bred 
and fed by Mr. William Charge, of Cleasby, which weighed 47/6- a quarter. 



Mr. 


Br. 


165 


880 


715 


2621 



304, DOMESTIC * 

possession of Mr. Charles Colling * Mr. Robert Colling,t and Mr. Chr Mason descended. 
In 1808 Mr. Robert Colling sold in Darlington market a two-years-old ox for 221., sup- 
posed to weigh sixty-three stones : the price of fat stock at that time being 7s. per stone ; 
and in 1810 Mr. Wetherill, of Field House, sold at the fair in Darlington, the first Mon- 
day in March, two oxen, under three-years-old, for 471. 10s. each. The price of fat 
cattle at this fair was about 10s. a stone. At Mr. Charles Colling's sale in that year 
the bull " Comet" was sold for 1000 guineas. The " Teesdale Tupes" were of equal 
fame with the bulls of the district.^ 

1780. A patent was granted to Thomas Proud for a turnip drill. He lived in Skin- 
nergate and was on friendly terms with Dr. Peacock, who once asked him, " If our two 
names were put together what would they make ?" He made agricultural implements 
to be delivered at Darlington and Horncastle, and in 1811 published at the former place 
an Essay on Drill Husbandry. 

1780. Mr. Hutchinson computed his estimates of population by taking the baptisms, 
marriages, and burials for two periods of twenty years each, and multiplying the burials 
in 1780 by thirty, on the supposition that one-thirtieth of the inhabitants died yearly. 
This gave the population far too low, the multiplier ought to have been forty -four. § 

Darlington Parish. Bp. 

Prom 1660 to 1680 949 

1760 to 1780 2858 

1780. Died, William Emerson, the deistical mathematician of Hur worth, and one of 
the many visitors to the famed fairs of Darlington. He was the son of Dudley Emerson, 
schoolmaster, Hurworth, and was born May 14, 1701. Cloddish as to learning in his 
youth he did not turn his attention to mathematics till when he was about twenty years 
of age. His wife was the niece of a Dr. Johnson, Rector of Hurworth, who had promised 
to give five hundred pounds with her, but when Emerson, some time after marriage, re- 
minded him of this, he treated him with contempt, and chose to forget the circumstance. 
Emerson, stung to the quick, packed up his wife's clothes and sent them to the Doctor 
in a wheelbarrow, saying he would scorn to be beholden to such a fellow for a single rag, 
and swearing he would prove himself the better man of the two. He said truly, for in 
his first published work on Fluxions, in 1743, his forty-second year, he stepped forth 
like a giant in all his might. A set of his works is in the library of the Mechanics' In- 
stituted His person was robust, his diet low. His hats were few, and when he pur- 

* He died at Monkend, near Croft, aged 85, in 1836. 

+ Robert Colling, of Barmpton, was worthily entitled " The Prince of Skeme." The 
uncle to him and Charles was Ralph Colling, of Ricknal Grange, who by no means appears 
to so much advantage in popular diction, for an unaccountable order for some hammers has 
given rise to the simile " Like Ralph Colling's hammers, all of a size and one bigger than 
another." All of one pattern was, perhaps, Ralph's meaning. I throw together one or two 
more Bishopric likenesses- An imaginary difficulty is to be " as queer as Dick's hatband 
that went nine times round and still wouldn't tie;" a washerwoman, when half frantic at 
the unreasonable heaps of work before her, declares herself " as throng as Throp'slwife 
when she hung herself with a dish-clout." "Its like Timothy Spark, it's vast-lye clever," 
refers to an enterprising farmer of Dales House, who lost many a crop by copying what he 
termed " vast-lye clever" schemes of Bryan Harrison, of Barmpton, and other neighbours, 
•without any consideration of their superior lands and advantages, and when nearly ruined 
by his folly exclaimed, " Lads, lads, wonkerins, but this is vast-lye bad wark." "As great a 
liar as Jenny Byers" is a memento of a masculine matron of Brafferton, of the last generation, 
who loved occupations of the dirtiest sort, generally pursued by the rougher sex, in prefer- 
ence to those of her own, and who was an inveterate teller of stories of a fictitious hue. 

X " Mr. Francis Hunt, a considerable farmer in this neighbourhood, one evening last 
week selected from his large stocks into a convenient paddock, four of his ewes which 
seemed heaviest with young, which, the next morning, he found had produced him 13 lambs 
all strong and likely to do well." — Darlington Mercury, 1773, Mar. 26. 
§ Bailey's Agricultural Survey. 

|| His fugitive pieces are often marked " Merones" (a transposition of the letters of his 
name), and " Philofluentimechanalgegeomastrolongo." 



- EMMERSON. 305 

chased one it was of no consequence whether it was of the fashion of the day, or of half 
a century before. One of them, of immense superficies, in time lost its elasticity, and 
the brim began to droop, so as to prevent his being able to view the objects before him 
in a direct line. He therefore took a pair of sheers and cut it round close by the body 
of the hat, leaving a little to the front, which he dexterously rounded into the resem- 
blance of the nib of a jockey's cap. His wigs were made of brown or a dirty flaxen 
coloured hair, which at first appeared bushy and tortuous behind, but which grew pen- 
dulous through age, till at length it became quite straight, having probably never un- 
dergone the operation of the comb : and either through the original mal-conformation 
of the w r ig, or from a custom of frequently inserting his hand beneath it, his hind-head 
and wig never came in very close contact. He commonly wore a drab waistcoat with 
sleeves only, sans coat. His linen was spun and bleached by his wife, for whom he 
made a spinning-wheel, shown in his " Mechanics," and woven at Hurworth ; and he 
frequently, in cold weather, wore his shirt with the wrong side before and buttoned be- 
hind his neck ; the reason being that he seldom buttoned more than two or three of the 
buttons of his waistcoat, one or two at the bottom, and sometimes one at the top ; leav- 
ing all the rest open : in wind, rain, or snow, therefore, he would have found the aper- 
ture at the breast inconvenient. In cold weather he wore, when he grew old, what he 
called shin-covers, w T hich were made of old sacking, tied with a string above the knee, 
and depending before the shins down to the shoe ; they were useful in preserving his 
legs from being burnt when he sat too near the fire, which old people are apt to do. 

Such was the Sanchotic figure of the great man who periodically appeared in Darling- 
ton market. When his stock grew low, on the Monday morning he took his wallet, 
which he slung obliquely across his shoulders, and set forward for the market ; always 
walking, for he seldom or never kept a horse, and had an aversion to riding. He would 
frequently lead the horse, when he had one, from market, by the halter, bearing the 
wallet stuffed with provisions. After having provided all the necessary articles, he did 
not always make directly home again, but, if he found good fair ale and company to his 
mind, he would sit himself down contentedly in some public house for the remainder of 
the day, and frequently during the night too ; some times he did not reach home till late 
on Tuesday, or even Wednesday : he remained talking, or disputing, on various topics, 
mechanics, politics, or religion, just as his company might be, and varying the scene 
sometimes with a beef-stake, mutton-chop, or a pan of cockles ; for it is remarkable 
that his ale did not injure, but rather improve his appetite ; and that he never felt the 
head ache, or any immediate ill effects afterwards. In these durable potations he would 
sometimes indulge, not only at Darlington, but in Hurworth, or some neighbouring vil- 
lage, and always in an ale-house, for he kept no stock of ale (his favourite beverage) at 
home ; and he was upon all occasions rigidly exact in apportioning each man's quota of 
the reckoning. His last excursion to Darlington with his wallet, was the only time, it 
is believed, he ever rode thither, and he was then mounted on a quadruped, w T hose intrin- 
sic value, independent of the skin, might be fairly estimated at half a crown. Being 
preceded and led by a boy, hired for that purpose, he crawled in slow and solemn pomp, 
at the rate of a mile and a half in an hour, till in due time he arrived at Darlington, and 
was conducted in the same state, to the great entertainment of the spectators, through 
the streets to his inn. What idea Emmerson himself entertained of the velocity with 
which the animal could travel, appears from this, that when a neighbour of his from Hur- 
worth asked liim towards the evening if he wasgoing home, " D — n thee (said he), what 
dost thou want with my going home V " Only (said the man) because I should be glad of 
your company." " Thou fule, thou ! (replied the other) thou'lt be home long enough before 
me, man ! thou walks and I ride. Such expressions as " D — n thee/' and " Thou fule," 
were mere expletives often with him, expressive neither of indignation nor contempt 
Indeed his style of conversation, always abrupt and blunt, was often vulgar and un- 
grammatical, and this induced some to say that his prefaces were not his own composi- 
tion, or were translated into English bv some other hand. At this he was very indig- 



306' DOMESTIC. 

nant, and exclaimed " A pack of fools ! who could write my prefaces but myself ?" 
They do in fact carry with them every mark of legitimacy, and his letters were well 
written. His hostility to riding was so marked that he used to say to Mr. Montagu, of 
Eryholme, when he asked him to get into a carriage, " D — n your whim-wham ! I had 
rather walk." 

His singularity caused him to be considered as a wise or cunning man by the ignorant, 
and they would tell how that by a magic spell he pinned a lad [the late Capt. Dryden] 
in the top of a tree where he had mounted to steal his fruit, and compelled him to sit 
there a whole Sunday's forenoon, in full view of the congregation going to and return- 
ing from church ; the truth being that Emerson stood at the bottom with a hatchet, and 
swore that if he came down he would " hag (hew) his legs off."* An Irish woman came 
to know if her husband, who had been absent in the Indies for six years unheard of, was 
alive, she wishing to accept the proposals of another. Rising hastily from his tripod or 
three legged stool on which he usually sat, the prophet exclaimed " D — n thee for a 
b — h ! thy husband's gone to hell : and thou may go after him." The woman went 
away quieted in her conscientious scruples. A young damsel met with a milder recep- 
tion. She wanted to know if her fellow-servant had stolen some articles her mistress 
had lost. " Thou's a canny young lass," replied the smiling conjurer, " but thou's over 
late o'coming, I can do nought for thee." The poor girl mourned that she had not made 
her application sooner, supposing he meant that the mysterious moment was past. 

The wisdom and probity of this world are folly before God, and Emerson seems to 
have been a sort of deist. He collected two small 4to. vols, of what he conceived to be 
contradictory passages of the Bible, and arranged them, like hostile troops confronting 
each other, on opposite pages ; and as he by no means spoke of revelation or the church 
of England and its clergy with respect, he was an example to the vulgar not a little re- 
prehensible. He did not wish to be admitted to the Royal Society, " because (he said) 
it was a d — d hard thing that a man should burn so many farthing candles as he had 
done, and then have to pay so much a year for the honor of F. R. S. after his name. 
D — n them and their F. R. S. too." 

He was very fond of angling, and would stand up to his middle in water for several 
hours together, and when he was building a house on his small farm by the side of the 
Tees, he never hesitated to plunge into the water to gather stones from its bed. In fact, 
being somewhat effected then with gouty symptoms, he said that wading was serviceable 
to him because the water sucked the gout out of his legs. When he wrote his treatise 
on Navigation, he must needs make and fit up a small vessel ; with this he and some 
young friends embarked on the the Tees that ran by his door, at Hur worth, but the 
whole crew got swamped frequently ; when Emerson, smiling and alluding to his book 
said, " They must not do as I do, but as I say." 

In the earlier part of his life he attempted to teach a few scholars, but made little 
progress and soon dropped. He never had a scholar that did him any credit, except Mr 
Richardson, of Darlington, who was always a great favorite with him, and of whom he 
used to say that he was the only boy who had a head in his school.t 

* This tree feat was of great value. A lady lost her clothes in drying, and came to 
Emerson. " What, art thou sike a fule to believe in sike things ?" said the conjuror, who 
proceeded to instruct her to give out that if the missing articles were not forthcoming by 
a certain day, he would cause the thief to mount a cherry-tree when the people were going 
to church. The clothes duly re-appeared one morning at the claimant's door. 

-T John Hunter, a common bricklayer, of Hurworth, became the pupil and the friend of 
Emerson, and acquired all the brusqueness of his master. Upon one occasion Emerson 
had been engaged in some abstruse mathematical calculation for twenty-four hours, 
and failing in the result, he carried his papers to John, avIio, glancing at the manu- 
script, thus addressed his master : — " Aye, but thou is a fule ! — dis'nt thou see that thou's 
wrang at vary beginnin ?" " D — n it, I is a fule !" was the response. One day as John was 
repairing the roof of Emerson's house, and the philosopher was serving him from below 
with mortar, a post chaise drew up, from which stepped out two gentlemen, who inquired 
if the great Mr. Emerson lived there ? " Great or little, I am the man," was the answer. 
They stared a little, bowed, and informed him that they were a deputation from the Uni- 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 307 

As lie advanced in years he was much afflicted with the stone, and in agony he would 
crawl round the room on his hands and knees, sometimes praying and sometimes swear- 
ing, and devoutly wishing that the " soul might have shaken off its rags of mortality 
without such a dittcr-my-clatter" as he called it He died at last without much pain, 
1782, May 21, aged 81, and was buried in Hurworth churchyard* at the West end of 
the church, where a Latin inscription commemorates him (" sepultum et neqlectum") 
and his wife, who followed him in 1784. They had no children. 

Emerson, with much persuasion, about a year before his decease, was prevailed on by 
his friend Dr. Cloudesley, of Darlington, to sit for his picture, which was taken by 
Sykes, and from which an engraving (now excessively scarce) was copied. 

His telescope was formed of three or four cask staves, tied together ; and his micro- 
scope was a small lens, set in the top of a spring window fastener. In 1781 he disposed 
of his mathematical library, which he valued at 40 or 50/., because, he said, he had none 
but a pack of fools to leave them to, and money would be of more value to them than 
books.f He was well skilled, by the way, in musical science, though he was himself a 
poor performer. He had (if the expression may be used) two first strings to his violin, 
which he said made the E more melodious, when they were drawn up to a perfect uni- 
son. His virginal he had cut and twisted into various shapes in the keys, by adding 
some occasional half-tones, to regulate the present scales and to rectify some fraction or 
discord that will always remain in the tuning ; but he never could get it regulated to 
his mind. He had an odd instrument in the shape of a long handle with three strings 
and a quartern measure at its end, upon which he played.^ 

1783. Sep. 15. Established at Darlington, the first agricultural society in the county, 
denominated the " Agricultural Society for the County of Durham." Each subscriber 
of 1/. Is. was deemed a member, and at the first institution there were thirty-two sub- 
scribers of 21. 2s., and twenty-three of 11. Is. each, making the whole subscription 91/. 7s. 

versity of Cambridge, and had brought a difficult problem which they inquired if he could 
solve. Casting his eye upon it for a moment, he called his pupil, " John Hunter, come 
down, and do thou answer this.'' The mason descended, and after a few minutes of silent 
calculation, produced the answer, written with a piece of chalk upon the crown of his hat, 
which Emerson was about to hand, unlooked at, to the collegians ; when, a little offended, 
they requested him at all events to revise it ; on which he glanced at it for an instant, and 
then pronounced it " quite correct." The collegians not readily understanding Hunter's 
solution, Emerson testily told them to " take the hat home with them, and return it when 
they had discovered the explanation." It was reported, that he could call the stars from 
their spheres ; and that he often did so. John Hunter was the accepted suitor to a village 
damsel who, upon Hunter informing her that he also could command the stars as well as 
his master, insisted upon ocular demonstration of the fact. Selecting that season of the 
autumn when falling or shooting stars are frequent, Hunter commenced his incantations, 
when a whole shower of meteors fell, and at the same time the northern lights shone with 
great splendour. His intended stared in amazement ; but lo ! she would have had them 
restored to their spheres ; and what was to be done if he could not get them up again ? 
Upon this the loving couple set off, the damsel in great agony of mind, to our philosopher, 
who professed to rebuke Hunter severely for his folly and presumption, and informed the 
trembling fair one " that it was most fortunate that he was in time to remedy the mischief, 
as otherwise all the inhabitants of the neighbourhood would have been consumed to ashes 
in their beds before morning." After this John left the stars to his master, but his wife al- 
ways believed in her husband's power in that line. 

* I have been told that Emerson's grave being opened for another interment some years 
afterwards, the body was found perfect, to the consternation of the grave-digger, but that 
it mouldered away. 

+ His first work did not procure encouragement, and probably his others would not have 
appeared in his lifetime if Edward Montague, esq., his great friend, had not procured him 
Nourse's patronage, who, himself learned in the more abstruse sciences, engaged Emerson 
to furnish a course of mathematics for students, and in 1763 Emerson went to London to 
fulfil his engagement. He treated every opponent of Sir Isaac Newton's philosophy as dull, 
blind, bigotted, prejudiced, or mad. Montague left him one hundred guineas, but the stern 
magician burst into tears and declared that "he would rather have seen Mr. Montague 
than his money." 

$ Compiled from his life by the Rev. W. Bowe, of Scorton : London : F. Wing, successor 
to Emerson's publisher, Mr. John Nourse, 1793 ; and touched up from Walker's Diusdale 
and Croft ; and original information. 



308 DOMESTIC. 

They had four general meetings yearly ; two at Durham and two at Darlington, when the 
premiums were adjudged by five of the members; but in 1794 and following years, 
the whole of the members present were the judges, and the society dwindled down till 
its ending in 1814. 

1786. November. In the last desperate adventure of " Stoney Bowes" with his wife the 
Countess of Strathmore, it is well known that he bore her away from the protection of 
the Court of King's Bench to her mansion of Streatlam, and endeavoured by every threat 
to induce her to stay proceedings in the Ecclesiastical Court, and live with him as his 
wife. But crowds were round the house, and Bowes appeased them by procuring two 
disguised domestics to personate himself and the Countess at the windows, and thus per- 
suade them she was safe ;* in the meantime took her out by a back way, and dragged 
her, between ten and eleven o'clock, in the dark to a little cottage in the neighbourhood, 
where they spent the remainder of the night. There, finding threats in vain, he threw 
her on the bed and flogged her with rods. " On leaving the cottage in the morning, he 
had her set on horseback behind him, without a pillion, and took her over dismal heaths 
and trackless wilds, covered with snow, till they came to Darlington, to the house of his 
attorney, where she w r as shut up in a dark room, and where she was threatened (a red- 
hot poker being held to her breast) with a mad doctor and strait- waistcoat ; but all in 
vain.t 

" The hour of deliverance drew near. Hither they had been tracked, and here it was 
no longer safe for Bowes to continue, he therefore set out with her before day,J in the 
same manner that he brought her, taking her over hedges and ploughed fields, till being 
seen [near Neasham] by the husbandmen at work, he was so closely hemmed in, that 
an old countryman taking hold of his horse's bridle, and Bowes presenting his pistol to 
frighten him, he was knocked down by a constable [Chr. Smith] that was in pursuit of 
him, and felled to the ground with a large hedge-stake. Seeing him in that situation, her 
ladyship put herself under the protection of the peace-officer, and being on horseback, in 
a kind of womanish exultation bid him farewell, and mend his life, and so left him wel- 
tering in his blood ; while she, with the whole country in hei favour, made the best of 
her way to London, attended only by her deliverers, where she arrived safe.§" 

* The sheriff's officers positively served the attachment on the wrong person. 

*f* The tipstaffs from London were surrounding the house. It was where the Joint Stock 
Bank now stands. % He skulked out the back way through the Sun Inn yard. 

§ Such is the account in the Gentleman's Mag. for the day, from her ladyship's own 
statements, but Bowes swore that "after the service of the Habeas Corpus, he had, in com- 
pliance, proceeded to bring Lady Strathmore to town, but was unable to ford the river 
Dee with safety to her ladyship and himself. In consequence of which, he was returning 
by a nearer way, when he was met by the party who were sent to execute the attachment, 
by whom he was treated as has been already related." The manner of apprehending 
Bowes as told by his friends, also differs widely from that told by Lady Strathmore. They 
say nothing of the cottage ; and that a few hours before the Habeas Corpus was served, 
apprehending an attachment, he took the Countess of Strathmore with him in a post-chaise 
and directed his route Northward . Being pursued by different parties, he was compelled to 
alter his course almost perpetually, and forsaking the coach road, to take his journey 
through the mountains, subject to all the inconveniences stated by her ladyship. Leaving 
the post-chaise, he took the Countess with him on a single horse, and instead of a pillion, 
was forced to substitute a blanket. At one period his pursuers were within a mile of him ; 
being apprized of it, he changed his course, and travelled back seventeen miles of the way 
he had already passed, and proceeded towards Darlington. A few miles from that town 
he was met by two farmers, one of them declared his suspicion, but having no warrant, 
Bowes drew a pistol, and with violent menaces, threatened them if they interrupted him ; 
a crowd coming up, the pistol was wrested from him and broken ; he was pulled from his 
horse, and in his fall received two violent wounds on the back part of his head with the 
barrel, which, with the fall, deprived him of all power of further resistance. Bowes was 
then taken to the house of Mr. Thomas Bowes, at Darlington, where, notwithstanding his 
wounds, he knocked down the farmer that stopped him, and had him kicked out of the 
house. A posse of people, however, soon surrounded the house, and an express was sent to 
M'Manus, and other Bow-street people, then at Carlisle, who broke in upon him, executed 
the writ, and notwithstanding every stratagem to delay him, conducted him to London and 
produced him as before recited.— (Foot's Life of Bowes and the Countess* 133 J Bowes 
was sentenced to three years imprisonment, and to find a very heavy security to keep the 
peace, and a divorce was obtained. 



CAPTURE OF " STONE Y BOWES." 309 

Tlie printed accounts of the transaction are so meagre that I am induced to add the 
substance of the affidavit of Mr. Christopher Smith, the constable of Neasham, contained 
in his memorandum book, which has been kindly lent me by his son, Mr. James Smith, 
of the High Row. " 20th Novr. 1786. At half an hour past twelve o'clock at noon, an 
alarm was given by a man on horseback, that 'Bowes had killed his wife, and the coun- 
try was in arms to take him.' I had seen a man ride past with a woman behind him, 
without a pillion, attended by another man on horseback, wanting a hat or any cover- 
ing upon his head, and a bare sword by his side, and took them for pickpockets. Upon 
this I ran to the door, and said to my brother, ' Let us each get a stick, and we will go 
and take him.' We went after them, as did several of the village, about a mile, into 
Sockburn Lane. Upon our coming up, Mr. Bowes said, ' What do you all want V I 
said, ' The country is alarmed with a bad report, and we are come to take you.' Mr. 
Bowes presented a pistol, and said he would blow out the first man's brains that dared 
#fc touch him. I said, if he would surrender, we would not hurt him. He again said he 
would shoot any one that came nigh him, and that he would pay any one who would 
take him to Northallerton. John Gunson said the Tees was too deep at Sockburn, he 
must go back to Neasham. I said he should not stir from the place till he was taken, 
and if he would not submit we would set upon him, and take him at all events ; for he 
was a suspicious person, and had surely done something bad, or he need not ride through 
the country in the manner he did. Mr. Bowes turned about his horse, seeming to go 
away, when the woman slipped off from behind him, and, clasping her hands together, 
said, ' I am Lady Strathmore, for God's sake assist me.' I said, ' Are you indeed Lady 
Strathmore V She said, ' I am, and am forced away contrary to my inclination by that 
man,' (turning to Mr. Bowes). I said, ' If you are Lady Strathmore, we will secure 
your person and take him,' and bade the men get sticks and we would set upon him, 
and take him at all events. Anthony Claxton put off his hat, and went near Bowes, 
which I perceiving bid him put on his hat and be upon his guard ; and seeing Bowes 
rest the pistol upon the other in the belt, I rushed upon him, and seized them both, and 
called for assistance, when John Waiton came and took hold of the horse and led him 
past me. While Bowes struggled with me, one of the pistol handles broke in my hand, 
and by pulling them away, the guard of the trigger cut a piece out of the foremost fin- 
ger of my right hand. I threw that pistol away, and with the other gave Bowes a blow 
upon the right side of his head which knocked him from the horse. Fearing he had 
more pistols about him, and that he might shoot some of us, I gave him another blow 
upon the back part of his head, and cut it about two inches. Lady Strathmore asked 
if he was killed, and desired we would not strike him again ; and several times bade us 
search his pockets for pistols and take care he did not shoot some of us. Her Ladyship 
being then upon horse before Gabriel Thornton, bade us farewell. I sent John Gunson 
away for a surgeon to dress the wound, and took him to Eliza Stubbs's till Tho. Bowes, 
Mr. Turner, and Mr. Rudd's man came and dressed the wound, and then carried Bowes 
away to Tho. Bowes's house at Darlington. And on the Wednesday he was conducted 
to London by three men from Lord Mansfield's and Bow-street offices.' * 

* The brave Smith died in 1797, leaving eight children, and a widow enciente. While 
lying in of her posthumous child (my informant James aforesaid) she received an anony- 
mous letter containing five pounds. This was all his family received from the Strathmore 
race, notwithstanding all his bravery and losses, for he had borne his expenses of a 
journey to London himself. 

Let me dip into his memoranda again. 

"Deer. 23d. 1777. A remarkable fat wedder sheep, fed by Mr. Thos. Hutchinson of 
Smeaton, and killed by John Coates, which weighed 17st. 101b. or 2481b. was shewn at 
Darlington. The Duke of Athol offered 2s. 6d. a pound for one quarter and could not have 
any, being all disposed of, but was presented with a neck by the hospitable Miss Allan, 
which graced his own table on New Year's day 1778." 

" 1789 was a very wet summer, it begun about the middle of April, and continued till the 
beginuing of August. The rivers and brooks in all parts over- flowed their banks and sanded 
meadows and pastures. The corn did not suffer so much, and was succeeded with a most 
favourable winter." 






DOMESTIC. 



1787. A number of Waxen Chatterers appeared about Darlington. These birds fed 
on haws, which were very plentiful that year. None have since appeared.* 

1788. At this period there was a bowling green in James Allan's Pilkington Close. 
1791. The pastoral " Hell-Kettles" of this date, mentioned in page 35, I have found 

to be the production of John Cade (vide 311 post, ), from his letter to Allan, mentioning 
his intention to offer it to Miss Darnton. " The town (says he) is supposed to contain 
about 6000 persons.t - - - Of late years, horticulture has been brought to considerable 
perfection at Darlington, and agriculture pursued with avidity in the environs." 

" Black well Races, Whitsun-Tuesday, 29th May, 1792.— 1. A Hat and Gold Girdle to 
be run for, by any number of boys that will then start. 2. A Bridle and Whip to be 
run for by asses. 3. A Dozen of Pipes and a Roll of the best Tobacco under the sun, 
to be run for by any old women. 4. A match between two noted Shetland ponies, the 
winner to have the loosing horse. 5. A fine muslin Apron and Ribbon to be run for by 
girls not exceeding 15 years of age. 6. A new full trimmed Holland Smock, with * 
fashionable Cap, to be run for by any women that chuse to start. Many other diver- 
sions and prizes will be then given. ^^ The races to begin exactly at Two o'Clock." 
—Original Handbill, 

1798. Mr. Frank, the attorney of Stockton, would appear to have thought of Dar- 
lington as a resting place, and in this year Ritson writes him thus : — " York, it seems, 
in case of a separation from Mr. Wolley, affords no prospect of a satisfactory establish- 
ment ; which you must, of course, look out for in some other place. Rowntree, no 
doubt, is a good judge of the superior advantages of Darlington, compared, that is, with 
the neighbouring country : but you might do well, in the mean time, to enquire into 
the state of Halifax, Wakefield, and other populous towns in Yorkshire, of which I have 
always had a much better opinion." Frank, as is well known, joined in partnership with 
Rowntree, for whom Ritson sketched a piece of pleasantry in coat armour after saying 
" I am convinced that your family stole into the world, nobody knows how or when. 
Though I can easily believe that when you yourself go out of it, your exit will be suffi- 
ciently notorious. Apropos ! there is one coat of arms which I should think you might 
adopt without offence to any, as it seems particularly appropriated to gentlemen of your 
honorable profession, representing at once the rewards you merit, and the means by 
which you attain them. Here it is." Then is sketched a regular coat, consisting of a 
man placed on the pillory, with two pens crossed over an ink-stand below, and a gib- 
bet, in expectancy above him. Motto, " Palma non sine pulvere." 

1799. At the hour of nine p. m. the family at Newtown had just retired to bed, 
when there was heard a rap at the kitchen door, and on Mr. Ord asking who was there 
and what was wanted, a female entreated earnestly to be admitted and to have 
lodgings till the morning, as she had lost herself and was almost starved with cold. She 
said that she was the servant of Mr. John Atkinson, of Little Stainton, and after some 
further questions had been put to her, was suffered to remain till the next day. Very 



"1795. Jany. 14th. Came on an intense frost and snow, which continued for 21 days, 
and after that time a succession of stormy weather, in all 7 weeks." [The Tees at the 
breaking up, was seven or eight inches higher than in the great flood in 1771. W.H.L.] 

" 1795. Mem. Corn advanced at the end of harvest, and got to the average of one gui- 
nea per bushel, owing to the vile speculators of the time, and other contraband dealers. 
The effects were, farms were advanced, taxes laid on, the public money sent to support 
the emperor of Germany and the king of Prussia, &c, till the Bank of England stopped 
payment. — 1795, May the 25th. Corn was sold at Darlington at 9s. a bushell, continued ad- 
vancing till it sold at one guinea a bushell, being engrossed and forestalled all the summer, 
till the 21st. of Septr. when new corn was produced." 

" 1796. Deer. 24th. Was the most intense frost ever known in England." 

* Allan's MS- Cat. of the Grange Museum. " The Waxen Chatterer — Bombycivora 
garrula. Temm. Bohemian Chatterer Silktail. Plentiful in the Northern parts of this 
Island, annually visiting Edinburgh during winter." 

f Gough, in 1789, mentions the dwellings as about 1200, and after stating the fame of the 
town for its manufactory of table-linen called huckabacks, and a great woollen manufac- 
tory, adds that the manufactory of small wares had been lately set at work. 



JOHN KENDREW. ;>1 j 

soon after it transpired that the girl had purchased some arsenic at Darlington prior to 
this nocturnal visit, and had mixed it with flour, intending it for the destruction of her 
master, Mr. Atkinson, who was from home on the day the bad act was committed, but 
was expected to return in the afternoon. His mother, an old woman, made a pudding 
of the deleterious mixture, which was offered to her son on his return, but he refused to 
partake of it as he had got something to eat on his journey. The morning following, 
however, the frugal lady mixed the pudding with more flour and other ingredients, and 
transmogrified it into a large family cake for breakfast, which all eat of except the ser- 
vant girl. In a short time the Atkinsons became exceedingly ill, and a medical man 
was hastily sent for ; he applied his remedies, and eventually all recovered save the 
mother, who lingered some weeks in great pain and then died. The family had no 
doubt of the girl's guilt, but discharged her from their service, and told her that if she 
never came near Little Stainton again, they would take no proceedings. The wretched 
being was an orphan named Mary Nicholson ; she was considered as of very weak in- 
tellect, and it was reported that her master had taken very great liberties with her, and 
treated her in a very cruel way. On being turned to the door and having no person to 
relieve her, she had wandered about the country for some days before she found a tem- 
porary rest at Newtown, and the day after her soj ourn there, she once more returned to 
the house of the Atkinsons. She told them she could not rest day or night, and that 
they might send her to gaol, or treat her as they pleased. Accordingly she was sent to 
Durham, and tried at the Assizes following. She stood in court alone, without a friend, 
without a soul to speak in her behalf, and was condemned to die. On the 22 July, 1799, 
an immense concourse of spectators assembled to witness her end on Framwellgate 
Moor. After being launched from the cart, and remaining suspended for some little time, 
when still conscious, the rope broke in two and she fell to the ground. In a horrible state 
she actually remained half an hour, to the great distress of the lookers on, some of whom 
had come a great distance. At last another rope was procured, and so ended the butch- 
ery of poor unfortunate Mary Nicholson. 

1800. Died, at Haughton-le-Skerne, Mr. John Kendrew. At one time nearly all the 
ground in Darlington upon which Albion-street is built, and extending Northward to 
beyond the new street, Kendrew-street, was cultivated as a market garden by a Mrs. 
Kendrew : and she and her son John were Friends. John, commonly called " Jackey 
Kendra," was brought up to weave " checked tammys," then woven by hand, in great 
numbers in this place, and pursued his daily labour without attracting any particular 
notice as a man of genius, although, like Arkwright, he employed his thoughts more on 
other matters than on those which belonged to his proper avocation. Optics composed 
his favourite study, and having formed a small machine for grinding and polishing both 
concave and convex glasses, for spectacles and optical instruments, he proceeded to the 
manufacture of the former, which, at the first, he hawked through the country occa- 
sionally, and subsequently, as his customers became more and more numerous, to the 
entire abandonment of the shuttle and the loom. Gough mentions his mill " for grind- 
ing optic glasses to the greatest perfection," yet the invention of this self-taught me- 
chanic was of heavy and rude construction, though it was a great improvement upon the 
usual mode of performing the operation. Some readers will remember such a machine 
at work in an old gloomy little building, that stood a short distance East of the Bishop 
Blaize Inn ; but the business extended, and premises were built, and machines put to 
work, at what is termed the " Low Mill," now occupied by Messrs. Henry Pease and Co. 
Here spectacles were fit up in almost countless numbers, and sent to Birmingham, and 
other places. The cupidity of the Birmingham men suggested that they had better make 
themselves, than come to Darlington to buy. They pirated Kendrew's invention, and his 
trade died out. His mind, however, had a fresh subject before it ; for according to the old 
proverb, " as one door shuts, another opens." Itinerating into Lancashire, he there saw 
the jenny, which was then in use for spinning cotton, and at once took up the idea of 
applying the principle of that machine to the spinning of flax by machinery, turned by 



312 DOMESTIC 

water power. On his return to Darlington, therefore, he enlisted a native of Barnard- 
castle, named Porteous or Porthouse (who had settled in Tubwell Row as a watchmaker, 
and had some money and mechanical skill, both useful to Kendrew), for his coadjutor ; 
and two plodding men working together, as Arkwright and Kay had done before them, 
eventually, after many difficulties with the machine, and as many with the peculiar fibre 
they had to deal with, brought out a set of engines for preparing and spinning flax ; for 
which, with the assistance of Mr. Backhouse, the banker, they obtained a royal patent 
in 1787, and spun a tolerable quantity for that day. " Mr. John Marshall, of Leeds," 
writes a native of the lown in the Darlington and Stockton Times, " as I remember, (he 
would be the father of the gentleman now so well known and honoured in various 
walks of life, and one of whose rooms covers two acres, and has a field in the top), 
came over and bargained to give so much per spindle for the right to use the new 
plan. Marshall, however, ceased to pay Kendrew's charge, saying it was not the 
same thing, and the law refused Kendrew's claim for nine hundred pounds, a sum 
which I have been told, Marshall then said would have been of no use if the court 
had confirmed, for he had it not. How largely must his intelligence have subsequently 
remunerated !" When the partnership ceased, Porteous placed himself in the mill near 
Coatham Mundeville, and Kendrew in another (a great part of which he built) near 
Haughton ; and there these two first English spinners of flax by machinery received 
line and tow from the hecklers in the neighbourhood, which they manufactured into 
yarns, at a charge of so much per bundle of sixty thousand yards. The machinery of 
Kendrew and Porteous, no doubt, was clumsy in its structure, but still these worthy 
men deserve no ordinary honour for giving a demonstration of the practicability of 
spinning flax by mechanical agency alone, and opening out an entirely new sphere for 
human industry and the acquirement of riches.* Their yarns, at the commencement, 
were no better than those which were spun with the common hand-wheel ; but they 
were produced in greater abundance, and at less expense.f 

1800. Tuke, in his "Agriculture of the North Riding," speaks very satisfactorily of 
the working of Proud's drill : — " Several farmers in the Vale (Cleveland) and also a few 
in Ryedale, have got a drill for sowing turnips made by T. Proud, of Darlington, which 
fixes to the plough-beam, consequently sowing and ploughing is performed by the same 
operation. This drill has some advantages beyond any I have seen : the seed is deposited 
in the fresh mould and upon the manure, whilst there is moisture in the soil (the land 
being manured immediately before ploughing), and if the soil is sandy, there is no need 
of harrowing : these circumstances have a great tendency towards insuring a crop." 
He mentions the "level land near the river Tees consisting of a rich gravelly loan " 
that the best short-horned cattle were bred near Darlington, Mr. Robert Colling having 
perhaps the best bull of the kind in the kingdom ; and that the wool grown in Rich- 
mondshire was chiefly sold at Darlington, the stone there being 18lbs. 

1801. The population of the parish according to the enumeration of March, 1801, 
was 

Blackwell. Cockerton. Darlington. Archdeacon 

Newton. 
Houses. 

Inhabited 54 88 864 11 

Families 66 88 1111 13 

Persons. 

Males 114 164 2158 40 

Females 163 166 2512 32 

Total of Persons... 277 330 4670 72 

* A woman was talking to a respectable tradesman of Darlington, not long ago, about ma- 
chinery, and after expatiating thereupon, at last with much complacency concluded, " how- 
ever, there is one thing they can't do with machinery after all, they can't male bairns /"' 

t Ord's Cleveland, &c 



JOHN CADE. 313 

1804. " The cotton manufacture lias lately been introduced and is at present in a 
flourishing state, under the direction of Mr. John Morrell, to whom the town is indebted 
for his exertions in favour of this establishment."* 

1806. "John Cade, of Gainford, gentleman (a batchelor), died Deer, 10th, buried 
Deer. 15th. Age 72 years." Such is the entry in our register of Cade the antiquary. 
He was born at Darlington in January, 1734, of humble but respectable parents ;t and 
after receiving the rudiments of such an education at the grammar-school as subsequently 
afforded him the pleasure of deciphering an inscription, was sent to the warehouse of a 
wholesale linen-draper in London ; in which, rising by honest industry from the lowest 
to the highest station, he obtained a share in a branch of the concern in Dublin. Hav- 
ing realized (principally by successful smuggling, I understand) a small fortune, he very 
wisely retired, about 1775, to Durham, from whence he removed to Gainford, for " indi- 
viduals endowed with a literary turn, however limited their acquirements and however 
humble their pretensions, are seldom vassals to the demon of avarice." In 1784 he com- 

* Beauties of England and Wales, 
f George Kade or Cade of Darlington, m. Helener .... (bur. 15 Jan. 1691-2) and had 
issue 

i. Matthew Kade or Cade, shoemaker, Darlington, bp. 13 May, 1688, br. 9 May, 1755, 
who had issue 

i. George, bp. 16 Apr., 1713 ; br. 25 Apr. 1729. 
ii. Richard, bp. 26 Apr., 1715. 
in. Matthew, bp. 9 Oct. 1717. 

1. Alice, bp. 15 Sep. 1719. 

2. Elizabeth, bp. 19 Oct. 172o ; br. as spinster, 21 Apr., 1797. 

3. Eleanor, bp. 15 Sep., 1730. 

ii. George, bp. 20 May, 1691. 
And probably also 

in 1 Mark Kade or Cade. 

iv ? Anthony Cade, mentioned in the antiquary's draft will 1 786. " To my uncle, 
Anthony Cade, of Richmond, an annuity of 201. To my aunt, Julia Cade, the 
now wife of sd. Anthy. in case she survives her husband, an annuity of 10/." 

1 ? Alice. " To my aunt Alice Dixon, of Moulton, in par. of Middleton Tyas, widow, 
an annuity of 151." 

Mark Kade or Cade, shoemaker, Darlington, b. about 1692 ; adm. to the Cordwainers' 
Company, Darlington, on making a free dinner and paying 5s. as a foreigner : will dated 
7 June, 1751 ; d. 21, br. 22 June, 1751, ag. 59. He m. Elizabeth, dan. of Leonard Middleton, 
of Darlington, on 22 Nov. 1719 ; she d. 27 Aug. 1761, ag. 66, having had issue 

i. Leonard, bp. 8 Sep. 1721 ; br. 23 May, 1722. 

ii. Mark Cade, surgeon, Darlington and Barnard Castle, bp. 5 Feb. 1724 : mentioned 
in the will of his father, who leaves him a shilling only, " having already be- 
stowed a sufficient fortune upon him." By his wife Mary (bur. as of Darlington, 
widow, 6 Mar. 1792) he had a daughter 

Dorothy, dau. of Mark C, formerly of D., apothecary, bp. 3 Jan., 1755. 

but she had also issue 

Robert, bp. 26 Feb. 1757, as "son of Mary C, wife of Mr, Mark Cade, surgeon, who has been 
upwards of a year on board his Majesty's ship the Monmouth ;" bur. 26 Aug., 1762, Mark 
Cade being styled '"late of Bernard Castle, apothecary." 

Matthew, bp. 11 Jan., 1767, as "son of Mary Cade, the wife of Mark Cade, apothecary, who 
has been absent from his wife these many years.'' 

in. Leonard, bp. 24 Mar. 1731-2 : occ 1754 as a member of the Cordwainers' Comp. t 

d. 14 June 1762, aged 30. 
iv. JOHN CADE, THE ANTIQUARY, bp. 5 Jan. 1734. 
v. William, bp. 5 Oct., 1737. 

1. Mary,bp. 17 Apr., 1723. 

2. Alice, bp. 27 June, 1727 : br. 9 Feb. 1732-3. 

3. Elizabeth Cade, bp. 10 Mar. 1729-30 : (Qu. Mrs- Cade, Greeutree, who received 

gloves at the funeral of John Killinghall, esq., in 1762, and Elizabeth Cade, an 
innkeeper, in 1769 ; see p. 262) residuary legatee and executrix of the antiquary 
in his draft will : d. 14, br. 17 Oct. 1812, aged 82, " single woman." 

The family head-stone to the South of the walk leading to Darlington church is inscribed : 
—"Sacred to the memory of Mark Cade, who died the 21st of June 1751, aged 59 yeciiis. 
Also Elizabeth his wife, who died the 27th of Augt. aged 66 years. Also Leonard Cade 
their son, who died the 14th of June 1762, aged 30 years. Also John Cade their son who 
died 12th [an error for 10th] of Deer. 1806 aged 72 years. Also Elizabeth Cade their daugh- 
ter, who died the 14th of Octr. 1812, aged 82 years." 

2E 



314 DOMESTIC. 

plains of finding his name " dignified with the title of an esquire [in the list of subscri- 
bers to Charlton's Whitby]. Believe me," says he, " I ever wished to appear but what 
I really am, an honest yeoman, as I can have no pretensions to any other character. 
How the mistake happened I cannot say, but sincerely wish it had been otherwise, as it 
only serve the world to laugh at." He lived, I believe, on his own freehold at Gainford, 
and his yeoman estate did not prevent him using a book-plate. Arms : — Argent, between 
3 lions passant guardant gules, each charged on the shoulder with a bezant ; a fesse azure, 
charged with a tower between two fleur de lis or. Crest : — A dexter arm in plate ar- 
mour embowed, grasping a dagger. Motto: — Virtute et labore. " John Cade, esq." 

Mr. Cade's imperfect education and subsequent commercial pursuits, confined his at- 
tention to topographical antiquities, but he chose the most difficult, the undefined traces 
of roads and fortifications. He laid the Romans under contribution for almost every 
vestige he found of early work. Hutchinson certainly " took a pleasure in ruining poor 
Jack Cade's castles, and breaking up his roads," and in 1786, the latter bitterly writes : 
— " I think Mr. Hutchinson illiberal as well as incorrect ; the quotation from Hollinshed 
is Duresme, and not Deiraham as he has advanced. If he persists, I am determined to 
maintain the papers of mine published by the Society. I never desired to be an author. 
Dr. Kaye handed my letter to that literary body without my knowledge ; and I hope it 
will be the last time I shall have anything to do in that way, having some time ago re- 
fused his solicitations on that head. I cannot think why Mr. Hutchinson should desire 
my correspondence if he thinks me so incorrect." So indignant was Cade at what he 
apprehended to be unwarrantable liberties taken by Hutchinson with his letters on the 
Roman camps, that he with-held his plate of Darlington church from the history of 
Durham, and afterwards gave it to his friend Allan (p. 219). A reduced copy was there- 
fore made for Hutchinson's book.* 

Cade's communications on Roman remains to Dr. Kaye, afterwards dean of Lincoln, 
and Mr. Gough, are in the Archseologia, vols, vii, ix, x. That he was not a member of 
the Society of Antiquaries arose from his peculiar diffidence and infirm health.f He 
traced two Roman roads, one from the aestuary of the Tees along the shore to Shields, 
the other from about Neasham by Stainton in the street, Mainsforth and Old Durham 
to Chester-le-Street and Gateshead ;% and probably but general correctness, " but every 
hill, natural or artificial, mound or earthwork near his line of march was to be Roman. 
The moated house of Bellasis, the mount at Bishopton, and the natural sand-hills at 
Mainsforth and Acley-heads were all declared stations." He sometimes indulged in 
Celtic fancies. He pitched upon Freeburgh Hill in Cleveland, the base of which occupies 

* " I will get all the views I have done in the county of Durham printed off on thin 
paper, as you desire ; and shall take the first leisure hour to reduce the view of Darlington 
Church. At present I am fagging to fetch up the lost time during my peregrinations." — 

Grose to Allan, 1774. 

=f " I am now approaching my 57th year, and only beginning to read — with a confined 
education, owing to my own neglect, and other avocations in my juvenile days. Were I 
settled in the metropolis, and could benefit by the learned discourses read at the society, I 
should think it the greatest honour of my life to be a member of that distinguished body ; 
but alas ! various infirmities occasioned by repeated attacks of the gout and stone, have play- 
ed with my faculties, and I find an irreparable loss of memory and conception. Having 
opened myself in this brief manner, I hope you will think it prudent in me not to display 
false colours. I cannot receive greater satisfaction than the learned society have already 
given me by their approbation and countenance ; and if my papers were entitled to merit, 
it was from the advantages I received from an attention to your publications and encourage- 
ment. These considerations must plead my excuse for not soliciting the honour you kindly 
proposed to me." — Cade to Gough, 1790. 

X 1784. " I ventured upon an arduous undertaking, by endeavouring to trace the pro- 
gress of the Bychnild Street from Monk's Bridge, Derbyshire, to Tinemouth in North- 
umberland." 

1789. " Near Stainton in the Strata is a mansion styled the Rycknild Grange; and at a 
little distance on the road 1 formerly described, a water mill on the Skerne, called the 
Rycknild Mill, in the oldest parish records where they were situated." [Now Ricknall, 
anciently Rickenhall.J 



JOHN CADE. 315 

no loss than six or seven hundred acres of land, and the height is four or five hundred 
feet, as " one of the greatest Celtic remains Britain can glory in." He remarks that it is 
constructed on the same model as Silbury, in Wiltshire, and that if Abury in the last 
county were a thousand years older than Stonehenge (as has been asserted) ; this place 
might surely claim an original nearly similar. The reader will be amused to learn that 
Freeburgh is a natural sandstone formation. After all, however, Cade brought many 
curious particulars to bear upon his theories, and many a shrewd comparison was the 
result. 

Gothic architecture, then labouring to emerge from a thick cloud of urns and ovals, 
received more attention from Cade than from the majority of his cotemporaries ; and, 
.judging- from his laments on the deplorable condition of our collegiate church, which 
has only grown more pitiful since his death, he viewed modern innovations with the true 
eye of taste. Camden and Bentham's Ely were his great favourites in literature, as were 
Stukeley, Gordon, &c, but his memory in respect of the English and Irish cathedrals 
was wonderful. He could describe every variation in these buildings with the most mi- 
nute accuracy, and in correct terms of art ; often, after descanting for some time, bring- 
ing or sending for a book of prints for his authority. His amusement with the Vitru- 
vius Britannicus seemed to consist in pointing out defects in the buildings ; and he al- 
ways maintained that Keddlestone, in Derbyshire, was the only grand house in England, 
and that the present St. Paul's must be mean in comparison with the old one ; an opin- 
ion in which I heartily concur. It had the finest choir in Europe. 

His passion for illustrating books is said to have been so strong as to have led to the 
expansion of his copy of Dugdale's works to no less than a hundred volumes. " After 
quitting the city," says Mr. Geo. Allan, the M.P., "while he lived in the Temple, he 
amused himself in illustrating Bishop Gibson's edition of Camden's Britannia, with all 
the topographical engravings of every kind that had fallen into his hands ; and though 
the selection was not formed with the taste the subject is capable of, nor included many 
prints which would have been worthy of it, it sold for a considerable sum. His illustra- 
ted Camden was a splendid and magnificent exhibition ; and indeed all his books were 
valuable, not more from his extensive illustrating by prints, than by his own labour in 
blazoning arms, and, whenever there was an opportunity, imitating in colours, very mi- 
nutely, the ancient illuminations of initials and title pages." He thus decorated several 
works for his friends, Allan and Tunstall ; and in one of his letters, offers his services to 
Mr. Gough.* Allan's splendid illustrated copy of Camden is a monument of Cade's in- 
dustry and skill in emblazoning.f In 1785 he complains of his want of Scotch and 
Irish arms, and that "when in London he found old magazines hard to get ;" he there- 
fore begs the refuse of Allan's mutilated numbers .J His numismatic knowledge was 
respectable. 

He assisted Pennant, and in 1788 communicated to Gough several corrections by him- 
self and Allan, for the counties of Durham and York, in the new edition of Camden ; 
and after the publication of that work, which he told the editor he perused " with awful 
reverence," still continued to communicate for a future edition. In the same year his 
conjectures on the formation of peat mosses in the Northern counties were printed in 
the Gentleman's Magazine. 

* 1789. [To Gough.'] "I have coloured several volumes of Dugdale's Warwickshire, 
Drake's Eboracum, with Edmondson's Peerage, for my friend Mr. Tunstall, and others ; 
which have met the approbation of Mr. Brooke, Somerset Herald. Should you, Sir, wish 
to have the latter six volumes blazoned, I have no doubt of giving you satisfaction, or in 
any work in that way you may please to honour me with." 

+ 1790. [To Gough-] "I seldom see or hear from Mr. Allan ; he has been for some 
months past at the watering-places. — I have lately embellished his new edition of the 
' Britannia' with about 3000 arms of Barons and Baronets, &c, mostly on the margins 
where they are mentioned ; and others, dispersed in the most general order through the 
work, all properly blazoned, which has a good effect." 

Z Some of Mr. Cade's old magazines and other works are in the possession of Mr. H. 
Barber, of Catterick academy, near Richmond. 



Si (J DOMESTIC. 

"About, sixteen years before his death," continues Mr. Allan, "he had a paralytic 
stroke, which deprived him of the use of his legs, and he was confined to his bed ever 
after. During that period he was, nevertheless, always cheerful ; and, frequently after 
dining below with his sister, I have enjoyed two or three hours of sociable conversation 
with him, over a bottle of wine, by his bed side. Some years before his death, I visited 
him, and he gave me Drayton's Polyolbion, Harding's Chronicle, Lord Clarendon's 
History of the Rebellion, and Knight's Life of Erasmus. He told he had sent all his 
illustrated books on antiquities, as a present to the son of his early benefactor, when in 
trade ; who, he said, was a gentleman of property and education. I have heard of his 
name, but were I inclined to mention it, I must dip my pen in gall or vinegar, or at 
least in bitter black ink ; for the unfeeling inelegant wretch sold the books in Mr. Cade's 
lifetime. After this my friend devoted himself entirely to reading sermons and theolo- 
gical tracts, of which he went through an immense mass before his death* His con- 
versation on this subject could not be learned or critical ; but it was sensible, lively, and 
never gloomy. I believe, indeed, no man ever waited with firmer patience for his disso- 
lution, or with a stronger reliance on Christianity. He died at Gainford, December 10th, 
1806, aged 72, and was buried at Darlington." 

Mr. Allan appropriately concludes with a comfortable assurance that will apply to 
many others who have inclined to his pursuits, that " he was charitable, hospitable, 
cheerful, and as good a man as I could have wished to have been acquainted with when 
young, or as I can desire to form an intimacy with, as my age advances." 

Among a selection of the professional papers of the elder Allan, in the possession of 
Sir Cuthbert Sharp, was the rough draft of a testamentary document, which that cele- 
brated antiquary had prepared for Mr. Cade, so early as the year 1786. " To my dear 
Sister Elizabeth C, spinster, my freehold dwelling house in Gainford, with 3 pews or 
stalls in the parish Church. — my friend and old school-fellow, Wm. Robson of Darling- 
ton, son of Thos Robson, Butcher, deceased, an annuity of 2 guineas. — My two servants 
Mark Magennis and Jane Dixon, 50 (shillings 1) a piece, provided they are in my ser- 
vice at my death. — Mark Magennis my wearing apparel. — Wilkinson Maxwell of Dur- 
ham, gent. ; Wm. Newcombe Geogehan, of the City of West Chester ; and to Mrs. Mary 
Chamney of Dublin, 5 guineas each, to buy rings. — Geo. Fras. Tyson, Esq., son of my 
friend Edwd. Tyson, late of Queen Square, Ormond Street, London, deceased, " all my 
Library of books, with my diamond ring. — My godson, Richard Molineux, son of my 
dear friend George Molineux of Wolverhampton, Esq., the several collections I have 
made, as a supplement to, and further illustration of Camden's Britannia, and at this 
time laying unbound ; the large picture of the Royal interview between the kings of 
England and France ;t and also my profile drawn by Sykes. — Unto my dear friend 
George Allan, of Darlington, the Vellum pedigree of the family of Paston, late earls of 
Yarmouth ; and also the copper-plate engraving of Darlington Church, which plate is 
now in his possession. — The Rev. R. Wilson, now Curate of Gainford, the three Vols, of 
Calmet's History of the Bible.— Mrs. Elizabeth Waugh of New Elvet Durham, widow, 
my silver cup and cover. — My god-daughter, Jane Adams of London, my large silver 
waiter. — Mr. Geo. Ashton of Old Elvet, Durham, my gold watch ; and to Mr. John 
A damson of Barnard-Castle, my large China Punch Bowl. — Sister, Elizabeth Cade, resi- 
duary legatee and executrix. My body to be carried to the church by six poor men, to 
have one guinea each." 

Mr. Cade never married, but his maiden sister, here mentioned, resided with him, and 
died at Darlington 14 October, 1812 ; where she was buried by his side, in the church- 

* " Enthusiasm or hypocrisy are here out of the question ; Cade had none to deceive, and 
did not deceive himself. There is something magnanimous in thus giving up the serious 
toys which had amused the boy and man, and on the verge of eternity fixing his earnest 
and undivided attention on a future state of existence." — Surtees. 

f This was, no doubt, the largo print of " the Field of the Cloth of Gold," published by 
the .Society of Antiquaries, and engraved after the original picture in Windsor Castle. 



TOLL BOOTH AND TOWNS MALL. 



ST7 



yard. By her desire, seven very elegant busts were sent to Geo. Allan, M.P., to add to 
his collections, and remain as a token of lier brother's regard. There is a profile por- 
trait of Cade at Crook Hall, doubtless that which he bequeathed to Mr. Molineux. and 
perhaps the only one which was ever sketched. It is in crayons, by Sykes — the same 
man who drew old Emerson ; and it represents a man of great mildness of countenance, 
with a sensible face, not devoid of character. It has a powdered head, with horizontal 
curls at the ears, a sky-blue coat, with a low turned down collar, and shirt frills of lace 
in profusion. It belonged to Mr. Ashton, Cade's friend and legatee, at whose sale Mr. 
Raine purchased it. " Ashton lived till nearly the age of ninety, and died only a few 
years ago. He always spoke of Cade with the deepest feelings of respect and attachment. 
There is abundance of proof that poor Cade, after he was dead, was little cared for by 
his representatives ; but Ashton was one of those that loved him, and had a respect for 
his memory ; and it is more than probable that he secured this profile of his friend, 
when he found that it was falling into the hands of those who could not appreciate it. 
At the death of Mr. Ashton, Mr. Cade's illustrated copies of Wallis's History of North- 
umberland, in two vols., and some other books which were in his possession at the time 
of his death, by gift or purchase, were presented to J. Ward, Esq., Solicitor, Durham."* 

1S08. April 13. The foundation stone of the present Town's Hall, in the Market 
Place, was laid by Geore Allan, esq., of Black well Grange; George Lewis Hollings- 
worth, esq., banker ; Richard Hodgson, esq., surgeon ; and Mr. William Kitching, 
ironfounder ; a great number of gentlemen being assembled. An earthern pot was 
placed underneath, in which was put six half-pennies, dated 1806, and one penny piece, 
dated 1798. It is an ordinary building of the Italian style. The appearance of its 
predecessor, the Toll Booth, may be gleaned from the cut at the head of this division, on 
page 271. The steps led to the Court-room, which occupied the wdiole length of the 
building. The ground floor was divided into shops, one of which, containing the 
projecting window in the view, was that of David Mackeown, the leading hardwareman 
of the town. Beneath was the town's dungeon or kitty. The migratory habits of rats 
are well known, and it is said that a curions instance occurred the night before this 
venerable building was pulled down. The enormous multitude of rats, which had com- 
pletely undermined it, then left it in a body, and were met in army array at Broken 
Scarr, near Badle Beck. Ancient toll booths are generally of the rudest construction, 
and for sake of comparison, I annex a cut of that which formerly obstructed the fine 
market place of Thirsk. 




* Memoir in Nichols' Literary Anecdotes, by Allan the M.P.— Surtees. 
— YValbran's Gainford — Darlington Par. Reg., &c. 



-Old's Cleveland. 



318 



DOMESTIC. 



1808. Oct. 25. The Darlington Dispensary, for the relief of the sick poor, was this 
day instituted, in commemoration of the fiftieth year of George III.'s reign. 

The Duke of Cleveland, and the Lord Bishop of Durham are patrons; R. H. Allan, 
esq., and Edward Pease, esq., presidents; John C. Backhouse, esq., treasurer; John B. 
Pease, esq., and Edmund Backhouse, esq., secretaries; Beddoes Peacock, esq., M.D., 
physician; S. E. Piper, esq., surgeon. Fourteen gentlemen form a committee. During 
the year ending October, 1848, 682 patients had received the benefits of the institution. 
The funds are derived from subscriptions, and the interest of a donation from the late 
T. Backhouse, esq. Subscribers of half-a-guinea are entitled to four tickets for admis- 
sion of objects, and others in proportion. 

1810. Bailey speaks of Darlington as having " been long famous for its linen manu- 
factures of huckaback, diapers, and sheeting, which employ about 500 looms. It has 
also a worsted manufactory of camblets, wildbores, bombazets, and tammies, or durants: 
the two latter are spun by hand ; the former by machines: in these are employed about 
300 looms, 100 combers, and 500 spinners by hand, besides a considerable quantity 
being sent into Scotland to spin. Mr. Pease alone has paid 800£. a-year for spinning in 
Scotland. It was here that the mills for spinning flax were first invented, by the inge- 
nious Mr. John Kendry and Mr. Porthouse : of those mills there are four, and one for 
spinning worsted ; here are also mills for dressing chamois leather, and for grinding 
and polishing spectacles. The former, a very worthy man, was the first that in- 
vented the mode of grinding optical glasses of a true spherical form, by machinery : 
he neglected to get a patent, and it was meanly stolen by some person of superior capital, 
near Sheffield, who engrossed nearly all the demand, by having riders to take in orders 
in every part of the kingdom. Barnard Castle, about 500 years since, and for many 
years before, had an extensive manufactory of worsted goods ; but the manufacturers, 
in order to undersell each other, made their goods so very inferior, that in a few years 
they offended and lost their customers, and the workmen were obliged to go by degrees 
to Durham, Darlington, and other places, where the trade was under better regulations." 

He speaks of the fortnight days as having for many years been continued through 
the year, and states that a pound of butter here is 22 oz., at Stockton 24. 

1817. Feb. 2. A most destructive fire* occurred, by which the extensive woollen 
manufactory, belonging to Messrs. Edward and Joseph Pease, on the site of the Old 
Bishop's mill, and other property, valued at 30,000/. was destroyed, and five hundred 
people thrown out of employ. 

Census 1821. Darlington Par. Chap. : — 



Darlington 

with Archdeacon Blaokwell. Cockerton. 
Oxenhall Newton, 
or 
Oxneyfield. 

HOUSES. 

Inhabited 876 12 47 91 

By how many families occupied ... 1,213 12 62 112 

Building 2 1 

Uninhabited 24 ... ... 1 

OCCUPATIONS. 

Families chiefly employed in agri- 
culture 155 12 39 49 

Families chiefly employed in Trade, 

Manufactures, or Handicraft 849 ... 13 43 

All other families not occupied in 

the two preceding classes 209 ... 10 20 

* f '° 1667. For a fire at Darlington, May J, 18s. Bd"—St- Nicholas'' par. Durham. 



THE BRANKIN-MOOR TRAGEDY. 



319 



Darlington 

with Archdeacon Blackvvell. Cockcrton, 
Oxenhall Newton. 
or 
Oxneyfield. 
PEBSONS. 

Males 2,737 27 123 235 

Females 3,013 37 145 234 

Total of Persons , 5,750 64 268 469 

Increase since 1811 691 ... ... • 60 

Decrease since 1811 7 13 



The entire parish of Darlington contained G,551 inhabitants. 

1815. Dec. 30. At an early hour in the morning the wind rose to a perfect hurricane, 
but no particular damage was sustained, excepting to a large new building, erected by 
Messrs. Toulmin, Ianson, &c, for a spinning mill, of which nearly one half of one of 
the gable ends was blown down, and falling on the roof of an adjoining dwelling-house, 
broke through the same and the upper floor, which caused considerable damage. The 
inhabitants escaped without injury. The damage was estimated at upwards of 1001. 

1817. May. A Savings Bank was established in Darlington, and a great number of 
persons availed themselves of that mode of investment. A panic however, owing to 
some real or alleged defalcations, broke the establishment up in 1833, but a new one was 
established in 1837. At the annual meeting of this institution in Dec. 1849, it appeared 
that there were 1092 open accounts. Payments to depositors during the year 55671. 19s. 7d. 
receipts, 58671. 9s. '3d. ; whole, deposits at present in the bank, 23,2671. 155. Id. 

1822. Feb. 15. A young man, named John Gales, servant to Mr. John White, farmer, 
of Brankin Moor,* met an untimely death. White, who had lately exhibited symptoms 

* The following ballad is given as it was furnished to me, from recitation, in this neigh- 
bourhood. It has Scotticisms, and is probably a mere adaptation, but it may furnish vari- 
ations useful to those, who, like Robert White, buried at Medomsleyin 1681, and my friend 
Robert White, the minstrel Scottishman,now a resident in Newcastle, are to be registered 
as " famous for telling storeys" of faws and fairies, and unrequited love. 

j. " Its hau'd your tongue, my doughter, 

For ye'll hae dower enew. 

Adzooks, I've a stirk i' the tether, 

And a bonny grey meer i' the fau'd. 

To bring corn hyam in harvest, 
What wad ye be at, ye jade !" 

V. 

Then in com our bride's brother, 

As he com from the kye, 
" Willey wad hae nowt to do wi' her, 

If he ken'd her as weel as I. 
For she's baith proud and saucy, 

Not fit for a poor man's wife, 
And if I can't get a better 

I'll nivver hae yan in my life." 

VI. 

" And what's the matter ?" quoth Willey 

" For we'll hae gear I vow, 
We'll hire a lass of our awn, 

And she'll spin claes enew, 
And in the cau'd of winter 

No danger that we'll freeze, 
We'll lie the closer tegither 

When leaves are off the trees." 

VII. 

So they all set off to Darn ton, 

The parson he buckled them there, 

The clerk he cried M Amen," 

And seldom was seen sic a pair. 



Whea has not heard of a couple 

That lived at Brankin-field ; 
Peggy was blythe and bonny. 

For beauty each lassie would yield. 
And she was betrothed to Willey 

The lad with the golden hair, 
The day was fix'd to be married, 

It chanced on Martinmas fair. 

II. 

So in com our braw bride, 

As she com dipping [dimpling] her 
" Oh how can I be married, [cheeks, 

I've nowther got blankets or sheets. 
I've nowther got blankets or sheets, 

I want a good coverlet too, 
A bride who's to beg and to borrow, 

Will find it right mickle to do." 

III. 
Then in com our bride's mother, 

And sair she began to chide, 
" I'd nivver a plack i' my pocket 

The day that I was a bride. 
My gown was linsey-wonsey, 

I'd nivver a smock at a'. 
And she has gowns and buskins 

More than yan or twa'.'" 

IV. 
In com our bride's father 
As he com from the plew, 



320 



DOMESTIC. 



of derangement, the effects of delirium tremens, from excessive drinking; on the evening- 
previous, was impressed with the idea that his house was infested by robbers, and would 
not retire to rest, but wandered about the house the whole night with a loaded gun, to 
shoot (he said) the robbers as they came in ; fancying he heard and saw them at the 
windows. A young man, Bowser, from Darlington, who was with him all night, en- 
deavoured, but without effect, to divert and dissuade him from his wild idea. Early in 
the morning White left Bowser alone in the kitchen, and again traversed the house with 
his gun. The deceased came down stairs about six o'clock, and proceeded to go out to 
his work, but finding the outer door fastened, he returned and went into the kitchen, 
where Bowser was standing by the fireside. White, at that time being in the passage, 
suddenly approached and fired, lodging the contents of his gun in the body of Gales, near 
the hip bone. He fell at Bowser's feet and expired in about two hours afterwards. A 
coroner's j ury found that White was in a fit of mental derangement at the time, but the 
grandfather of his victim having appeared before a magistrate, and expressed himself 
dissatisfied, White was committed for trial at the assizes. The grandfather of Gales in 
the interim was satisfied, and White was discharged, the bill being ignored, by the grand 
jury, to the singular amazement of every individual acquainted with the circumstances 
of the case. 

1822. Aug. 9. Robert Peat, aged 50, was executed in front of the County Court at 
Durham, for the murder of Robert Peat, aged 76, in Darlington. He was deeply affected 
and shed tears. The unhappy man being half cousin and heir-at-law to the deceased, 
had been left a legacy in a will of 1808, but having offended the testator, another will 
of 1815 left the whole property to testator's wife. He contrived to obtain the wills* and 
then gave the poison to obtain the property as heir-at-law. He lived at Ravensworth, 
near Richmond, and came to Darlington every market-day, always calling at the house 
of the deceased. On Monday, June 24, he called as usual, and the deceased's wife had 
put a piece of lamb in a quart of water on the fire, at ten o'clock, and gone out to 
market twice. The prisoner followed her the last time she returned and told her he had 
been in the house in her absence, and that her husband was then in an adjoining room. 
He then said that he had read in the papers that some persons had been poisoned by bad 
water, and asked her if she had heard of it ; to which she replied that she knew nothing 
of it, and had something else to do than to read newspapers. He remained this time in 
the house but a few minutes and then went away. The deceased had gone into the yard 
and would not come in until the prisoner had gone. The deceased and his wife, after 
having partaken of the broth and lamb, which they remarked had a peculiar taste, 
vomited severely. The prisoner called again at four o'clock, and saw them vomiting ; 
looked in at the window between six and seven, and visited them again at ten at night.f 
He had never before called more than once in a day. The deceased died at half-past 
twelve at night. Several neighbours to whom Mrs. Peat gave the lamb, and who tasted 
of it, sickened. The prosecutrix observed pieces of a broken phial on the hearth. The 



* His visits were always unwelcome, but he persisted in coming, and that at a time when 
he knew prosecutrix would be at the market. He told a witness on the 10 June that he 
would watch the old woman going to market (who, he said, wanted to wrong him out of 
the " brass" he had), and go in and see the old man, and afterwards that he had got the 
will. On the day of the murder he took a bottle of laudanum out of his pocket and showed 
it to the same witness, saying, he wished the old woman had it, and that it would do her a 
trick. Indeed she was so ill that she was in bed from the Monday to the Friday, the day 
after that on which her husband was buried. 

+ Mary Bolam, who had been called in to assist, saw prisoner about half-past seven, and 
asked him to go for a doctor, but he refused, saying he did not want deceased's wife to 
know he was then in town. And yet on his visit at ten he wished to stay all night, but 
Bolam advised him to go home, which he did. Mrs. Peat was so penurious that no medi- 
cal man was called in- The effects were so violent, and the meat became so dark coloured 
that it was surmised some other deadly poison had been mixed with the laudanum. Yet 
the faculty thought that at four weeks after burial an exhumation would lead to no result. 
Indeed the chemist and others were of opinion that the prisoner would after all have es- 
caped punishment, had counsel been engaged for the defence. I am indebted to 0. B. 
Wooler, esq., for the loan of the brief and "depositions in the case. 



BISHOP BLASE, 321 

prisoner had bought a plii.il of laudanum from Mr. John Smith, a chemist, on the morn- 
ing of the murder, which he said was for ladies at Middleton, but which he told the 
chemist on July 22, after some suspicions were created, he had still in his possession.* 
Before he was sent off to prison, he wrote to his wife, in which he directed his son to 
give up the wills, and then added, " Think no more of me, my chance is very bad. "t 
It is remarkable that the deceased had been buried four weeks before the prisoner was 
charged. A medical man gave laudanum to all who tasted of the lamb, and they recog- 
nized the same taste. 

1823. March 24. An act was obtained for paving, lighting,^ watching, and cleansing 
the town, under the powers of which it has been considerably improved by the commis- 
sioners appointed under it. 

1S25. The grand septennial festival, at Bradford, of wool-combers, comb-makers, 
dyers, &c, was held in honour of Blase, saint and bishop, who is said to have been the 
inventor of wool-combing. He was jumbled up in the procession with a motley crew, 
composed of a king, queen, Jason of the Golden Fleece and his fair Medea, guards, the 
bishop's chaplain, shepherds, &c, &c. The king was an old man named William 
Clough, of Darlington, who had filled the regal station at four previous celebrations. 
Many thousands were present, and Bradford was never before known to be so crowded 
with strangers. The saint, who was bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, and now is the patron 
of wool-combers, was tormented with iron combs, and martyred under Licinius in 316- 
Ribadeneira, the Jesuit, gravely relates that St. Blase was scourged, and seven holy wo- 
men anointed themselves with his blood ; whereupon their flesh was combed with iron 
combs, but their wounds ran nothing but milk, their flesh was whiter than snow, angels 
came visibly and healed their wounds as they were made ; that they were put into the 
fire, which would not consume them ; after all which they were ordered to be beheaded, 
and beheaded accordingly. Then St. Blase was ordered to be drowned in the lake ; but 
he walked on the water, sat down on it in the middle, and invited the infidels to a sit- 
ing. We are called to believe that three score and eight tried the experiment, and were 
drowned, and that St. Blase then quietly walked back to be beheaded. — Candles offered 
to the saint were good for the toothace, and for diseases of cattle ; and that the Darling- 
ton wool-combers may lose none of the benefits to be derived from that immortal man, 
I give, from the same veritable Jesuit, a receipt for a stoppage in the throat : — " Hold 
the diseased party by the throat, and pronounce these words : — Blase, the martyr and 
servant of Jesus Christ, commands thee to pass up or down V The bishop gives name to 
an Inn in Clay Row, a little beyond which, in Freemans Place, is the Wool-combers' 
Arms Inn. 

A Mechanics" Institute was established in 1825, and at one time consisted of above 
one hundred and fifty members, who possessed a very valuable library. It, however, 
b3came extinct. In 1838 another Mechanics' Institute was formed, in which, at the 
close of the year ending 14 March, 1850, there were 341 members, but it has at times 
boasted of a far superior number, Volumes in the library, 1367. Lectures are given 
fortnightly in the winter months. President, Henry Pease, esq. Vice-Presidents, 
William Backhouse, esq. ; Mr. Thomas Dixon. Treasurer, John Church Backhouse, 

* He called on Smith, and asked if he recollected him, and then said that " he was 
blamed about Robert Peat," but that he had the laudanum at home. 

f When prisoner was being conveyed to the committing magistrate, General Aylmer, of 
Walworth Castle, he desired his two" sons to take notice of the road, in order to find their 
way home again, as he would not return with them. He also observed to the constable 
that the horse he was then riding, he had ridden many a hundred miles, but he thought that 
would be the last time. 

t 1763. Thomas Robinson, carrier, amerced 17s. 6d. for suffering his cart and wood to 
stand and lye open in the streets, unless he do in one month put up in some convenient 
part of his dwelling-house a lamp, and keep the same constantly lighted in the night time 
for persons to see and avoid them. 



§22 DOMESTIC. 

esq. Hon. Secretary, Mr. Hugh Dunn. Auditors, Messrs. A. Common, G. Brigham, 
and W. H. Wise. Scrutineers, Messrs. Thomas Blyth, and George Shaw. Librarian, 
Mr. William Mossom. 

In 1830 a Gas company was formed, and on Nov. 11 the town was first lighted with 
gas. The company was superseded, in 1846, by another, which bought the old works, 
and supplies gas on much more moderate terms. The latter was incorporated by Act of 
Parliament, 12 and 13 Vict. cap. 73, under the title of the Darlington Gas and Water 
Company, and supplies the town with water taken from the Tees near Bay dale head. 

By the census of 1831 the population of the parish stood at 8,574. The number of 
houses in 1831 amounted to 1,231 ; viz. 1,192 inhabited, and 39 uninhabited : and in 
1841 (p. 323), an increase of 620 houses in ten years was shown. There was therefore 
an average of 6'1 persons to each house in 1831, and 5'95 in 1841. In 1849, the number 
of houses amounted to 2,790, or more than double that of 1831. A private enumeration 
made in 1849 gave the population as under 12,000. 

The Darlington Temperance Society was instituted in 1831, and its first anniversary 
was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, Oct. 4, 1832, but being found inefficient it was broken 
up and a Total Abstinence Society founded, which has been of singular benefit.* 

1834. July 29. Tuesday, Mr. Green, according to a promise he had made to the in- 
habitants of Darlington, in consequence of a failure in an attempt to ascend a few days 
before, commenced the process of inflating his balloon in a field, the use of which was 
granted for the occasion, adjoining Mr. Edward Pease's house. About a quarter before 
six o'clock, the balloon having received a supply of gas, the cords were slackened to 
allow it to clear itself. It was fastened on a cart with the car, in which Mr. Green and 
two females were seated, and then conducted up Northgate, preceded by a band playing 
some favourite airs. On reaching the market place, he made a splendid ascent, to the ad- 
miration of an immense multitude. He landed at Pillmoor house, near Croft, about 
four miles from Darlington. 

In this year was published at Darlington, " A guide to Croft, Dinsdale, Middleton, 
Darlington, &c," by J. Gordon, esq., solicitor, Richmond, who died at Durham in 1837. 
He was a native of Gilling, and was an able antiquarian and philologist. His book is 
tersely composed, and is adorned by four excellent sketches by Mr. W. R. Robinson. 

1835. Mar. 2. A fire commenced in one of the lodging rooms of the Queen's Head 
Inn, owing to a person in a state of intoxication, who was stopping in the house, leaving 
his candle burning on retiring to rest, which by some means communicated with the 
bed clothes, which were speedily in flames : several beds were consumed, and it was 
with some difficulty the person himself was rescued. 

1836. Dec. This month, as a family were removing from a village near Darlington, 
they observed a redbreast following them, which took their attention very much. On 
more closely noticing it, it was recognized as a bird which they had fed before they left 
the village. It continued its flight until it arrived at the place of their destination, a 
distance of about eighteen miles, and finally found its way into the very house the 
family were about to occupy. 

1837. Aug. 12. Saturday, at night, about 12 o'clock, a fire was observed in the pre- 
mises belonging to Messrs. Middleton and Sons, tanners and curriers. Although the 
alarm was soon given, and the fire-engines brought to play upon it, the fire spread 
rapidly, and great fear was entertained about the dwelling-house, but from the exertions 
of the firemen the fire next the house was got under, and the flames were confined to 
the workshops, which now assumed an awful appearance, and had it not been for the 
calmness of the night, the whole of the premises must have been burnt down. Two 

* 1841. Apr. 12-13. The Teetotalers, Rechabites, Foresters, Odd Fellows, and other kin- 
dred associations of Alnwick, Blyth, Darlington, Chester-le -street, Corbridge, Hexham, 
Newcastle, Shields, &c, held processions and festivals. 



CENSUS OF 184 i 



323 



• engines were sent for to Stockton, but before they arrived, the fire was in a great mea- 
sure extinguished. The fire got to a bark-house, in which was a great quantity of that 
material, which stopped the progress of the flames It was supposed that the fire origin- 
ated in the engine-house. A great deal of thieving was carried on during the confusion. 
The damage was estimated at several thousands. A person of the name of Martin was 
much injured by the fall of the walls. 

About 1838, there were published a plan and a sort of bird's eye view of some very grand 
arrangements for South Darlington, to occupy Bank Close, since purchased by R. K. 
Allan, esq., and Edmund Backhouse, esq., at the angle of the Blackwell Lane, in the 
Grange Road, and then stated as belonging to Mr. Wm. Falkous. The front houses 
were to have gardens before them, and altogether it must be confessed that the plan, if 
executed, would have had a very imposing effect. But the matter completely fell 
through. 

1839. Jan. 7. " Windy Monday." The shop shutters were closed, and a vast amount 
of damage done to walls, chimnies, &c. Another tremendous gale happened on Friday, 
Feb. 3, 1843. 

1840. Apr. 28. About half -past ten o'clock at night, a fire broke out in a detached 
part of the premises of Messrs. Miller, Cradock, and Co., rope-makers ; supposed to 
originate from one of the workmen carelessly fixing a candle to part of the building for 
his convenience. As the men had not left work, the fire engine was speedily procured, 
which soon extinguished the flames. It is curious that there were fires at Benton North 
Farm, and Gateshead Park on the same day. 

July 30. Mr. J. Walker, the landlord of the Railway Tavern, having lost a 
valuable young sow in farrowing, and wishing to save the breed if possible, kept the 
young ones to bring up with pan and spoon ; singular to say, a bull bitch took charge 
of two young grunters, and suckled them regularly. 

October 1. Five lads, named John Preston, Frederick Hindle, James Hindle, 
Alfred Hindle, and John Watson, all of Darlington, were fined five shillings each for 
attaching a fiery rope to a cat's tail, and thereby causing it to play divers pranks in the 
stable-yard of Warren Maude, esq., of Green Bank. Had it got into the hay chamber, 
the consequence might have been serious. 

October 19. A fire broke out in the workshop of Mr. Michael Windle, builder, 
(during the absence of the workmen at breakfast), by some sparks from the stove sett- 
ing fire to the shavings. With the aid of the town's engine, the fire was soon ex- 
tinguished. 

November. In the list of new patents for this month, is one to Charles Parker, of 
Darlington, flax-spinner, for improvements in looms for weaving linens and other fab- 
rick, to be worked by hand, steam, or any other motive power. 

1841. The census of this year gives the parish as follows : — 



Ward. 


Area 


Houses. 


"'" "" 

Persons. 


Ages. 


Persons born. 


Names. 


English 
Statute 
Acres. 


-a 
"ja 


1 

.5 

"S 


si 
C 

2 
'3 
pq 


to 


s 


3 

o 
En 


Under 
20 Years. 


20 Years 
a nd upwards. 


eg 


6 


Darlington Ward. South 
Eastern Division. 


^3 
an 

3 


Males. 


Fe- 
males. 


Males. 


Fe- 
males. 


Darlington Par. 
Archd. Newton, Tsp. 

Blackwell Tsp. 

Cocker ton Tsp. 

Darlington Tsp.-i 

Oxneyfield Hain.f 


910 
1670 
1580 

3470 


11 1 

65 ! 1 
116 ... 

1783 52 


16 


27 
135 
246 

5257 


36 
164 
236 

5776 


63 
299 
482 

11,033 


16 

55 

119 

2543 


19 

77 
95 

2617 


11 

80 

127 

2714 


17 

87 

141 

3159 


54 
211 
400 

7275 


9 
88 

82 

3758 



g24 DOMESTIC 

" The entire parish of Darlington, including 101 persons in the Union Workhouse, ' 
situated in the township of Darlington, contains 11,877 inhabitants, and 7630 acres. 
The hamlet of Oxneyficld contains twenty-five inhabitants." 

1841. Nov. 5. Friday, being the anniversary of the " Powder Plot," the town was 
the scene of one of those acts which had long disgraced it, and which ended in the par- 
tial demolition of the town-hall windows, about thirty squares of glass being broken. 
In anticipation of the accustomed display on this day, the borough bailiff (Thos. Bowes, 
esq .) caused a notice to be printed and circulated, cautioning any person from throwing 
any squib, cracker, &c, which had only the effect of rendering the excitement greater. 
As early as five o'clock, a bonfire was lighted in the market place. In a very short 
time, all descriptions of fireworks were exploded ; and for four hours or upwards every 
moveable combustible was in danger of being taken and burnt by a set of thieves, throw- 
ing defiance in the teeth of the police — the interference of whom was the signal for at- 
tack on the town-hall — they flying in every direction, chased by fifty or a hundred boys, 
yelling and whooping like so many denizens of the woods. 

1842. Jan. 26. The weather at this period was extremely severe, with heavy falls of 
snow, and a tremendous wind blowing from the South. During the whole of the above 
day, Wednesday, most of the shops were closed, and several of them sustained injury. 
Many of the coaches and carriers were unable to proceed to their respective places, on 
account of the great depth of snow. 

March 28. Monday evening, a violent attack was made upon the police whilst 
apprehending Walter M'Lauchan, for disorderly and drunken conduct in a public house 
in Bondgate. The party belonging to the accused, and many of the lower orders, fol- 
lowed the policemen whilst taking M'Lauchan to the lock-up house, pelting them with 
stones and dirt, and because they could not accomplish their object in the prisoner's 
rescue, they smashed the town-hall windows. 

Aug. 10. A tremendous thunder storm took place in the evening of this day (Wed- 
nesday). The electric fluid descended into the workshops of Messrs. Coates and Farmer, 
printers, about a quarter past nine o'clock, and set fire to them, but being immediately 
discovered, the fire was extinguished without the aid of the engines. It also descended 
the chimney of the adjoining house, occupied by Mr. Dobbinson, who, with his family, 
was sitting beside the fire. The fire-grate was forced out of its place, but all escaped 
unhurt. The offices of Mr. Peacock, solicitor, were also struck by the fluid, and a speak- 
ing pipe was completely severed by the heat. Fortunately he was absent. 

1843. May 25. Christopher Wetherell, esq., solicitor, aged 38, was found dead in his 
bed, and an inquest returned a verdict of apoplexy. Mr. Wetherell was the most bulky 
person in the north of England, and at the age of 30 he weighed 33 stones. 

1844. Oct. About twilight, one evening, a brace of partridges alighted in an arched 
passage, near the offices of Joseph Pease, esq., one of which was secured by the hostler 
at the King's Head Inn. 

December 23. The Duke of Cleveland's stag hounds met at Manfield village, in a 
grass field, near to which a stag was uncarted. He went off in gallant style, in the 
direction of Barton for half a mile, then driving away by Howden Hill and Cleasby 
village, to the river Tees, crossing to the Durham side near Tees Cottage. He then went 
straight for Blackwell, where he twice crossed the river. From Blackwell, he took the 
road to Darlington, passing through the town, and crossed the river Skerne to the Great 
North of England Railway Station, taking the line of railway to Croft. He then passed 
Pilmore House, crossed the Tees again to the Yorkshire side, near Dalton, and went 
direct to Eryholme. Leaving the latter place, he went away for Entercommon, and 
thence for Birkby. Turning short of that place, he was run up to near the Cowton 
station of the Great North of England Railway, having run upwards of 20 miles in two 
hours and ten minutes. The stag died of his wounds before the arrival of the van to 
convey him to Raby Castle. From Eryholme to the finish the pace was very fast, an 
at almost every fence the strength of some gallant steed failed, and the rider reluctantly 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 325 

compelled to cry — enough ; not however, in many cases, until thrown to the ground by 
the falling of the horse. On the 24th March, 1848, the same brilliant pack found a fox 
at Selaby, under the huge antlered oaks which erst had seen old Brakenbury's stalwart 
race, when, after making a " pretty considerable " detour in search of the picturesque, 
away went the " artful dodger " at so tremendous a pace, that " bellows to mend " soon 
became the order of the day. Without a check — without a turn — and as swift as the 
wind, on flew the bristling pack, " frantic for blood," until the " varmint," after having 
led the field a merry dance, of little short of 20 miles, was finally run into, and died 
game, on the lawn in front of Blackwell Hall, the seat of R. H. Allan, esq. Out of a 
numerous field, many of whom were "tailed off," and were " no where," the noble and 
gallant duke was the first to clear the sunk -fence, followed by the huntsman, T. M. 
Maude, esq., Major Healey, Robert Lambton Surtees, esq , and a few others. 

1845. Feb. 1. This night (Saturday) the servants of Mrs. Chisman, Queen's Head 
Inn, Darlington, became alarmed at hearing a saw in motion in the Odd-Fellows' Lodge 
Room. They gave immediate alarm, and on going to the room they found the door 
fast inside and some person at work sawing. On trying to break the door open, the 
parties inside made their escape by jumping out of the room window into the street. 
On the door being forced open, it was discovered that the large chest belonging to the 
Odd-Fellows was nearly sawn in two. In another minute or so the thieves would have 
been in possession of its contents, amounting to a considerable sum. 

1846. Apr. 14. A young man of respectable appearance, named Percival, supposed 
to be a native of Appleby, who had recently come from London, retired to one of the 
upper rooms of the Black Bull, and desperately cut his throat, dying in half an hour 
afterwards. 

May 15. The first exhibition of the Darlington Horticultural Society was held 
in the Assembly Room, Sun Inn. This society was preceeded by another with the same 
objects, but which proved a failure. Patronesses : Her Grace the Duchess of Cleveland, 
Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland, the most noble the Marchioness of London- 
derry, the right honorable Viscountess Seaham, Lady Musgrave, Lady Eden, Mrs. Wil- 
liamson, and Mrs. Aylmer. President : the lord Bishop of Durham. Vice-Presidents : 
Lord Harry Vane, M.P. ; James Farrer, esq., M.P. ; Sir George Musgrave, bart. ; Sir 
William Eden, bart. ; Rev. R. H. Williamson ; John Bowes, esq ; Robert H. Allan, esq. ; 
Joseph Pease, esq. ; John C. Hopkins, esq. ; G. H. Williamson, esq. ; right Rev. Dr. 
Hogarth. Treasurer: William Backhouse, esq. Secretaries: Mr. Joseph W. Pease, 
Mr. Bousfield, Mr. William Robinson. There is a committee of Darlington gentlemen, 
and a countiy committee containing representatives for district places. 

The shows have been eminently successful, and the productions of cottage gardeners 
in particular created great emulation. At the show of Sep. 23, 1848, there were present 
the Duke of Cleveland, the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry, Lord and Lady 
Seaham, Viscount Hardinge, the honorable Miss Hardinge, Sir W. F. Middleton (whose 
Italian gardens are the finest in the kingdom), Mr. Disraeli, M.P., Lord Robert Clinton, 
the hon. Mr. Duncombe, Lord Alfred 2 hurchill, Lady and Miss Foulis, &c. &c. A fine 
remark fell from the lips of the elegant author of Coningsby on the occasion : — " The 
palace is not safe where the cottage is not happy, and no home can be happy where the 
presence of woman is not felt." The shows are at sometimes held in the Central Hall, 
and at others in the well-cultivated grounds of the Friends. There is a soiree each 
winter. 

Aug. 24. The magistrates of the South-Eastern division of Darlington ward held 
their first sitting in a new station house in the Grange Road. They had previously met 
in the Town Hall. John Sheilds Peacock, esq., is their clerk. The new building pre- 
sents an unpretending but very chaste front of stone, and contains every accommodation 
for magistrates, policemen, and prisoners. The cells are of great strength ; and the su- 
perintendent of police, Mr. Anthony Robson, resides on the premises, which were built 
partly out of the county rate ; and partly by subscription, The new County Courts are 



326 



DOMESTIC. 



also held every month here. Henry Stapylton, esq., judge ; John Edwin Marshall, esq., 
(of Durham) chief clerk ; George Taylor, esq. (of Durham), high bailiff; Mr. Ralph 
Chambers, assistant clerk ; Mr. Wm. Oliver, assistant bailiff. 

In the summer of this year, a very violent diarrhoea was extremely prevalent and fatal 
in Darlington. It roused an old and widely spread superstition that bread made on a 
Good Friday is an infallible remedy for many complaints. The older the bread is the 
better, and a most surprising cure was stated to be effected by some Good Friday bread, 
which had been carefully preserved for three or four years * 

This year " The Darlington Quoit Club " was established. At the anniversary meet- 
ings a silver quoit is contended for, as the captain's prize, and a white flag, the gift of 
the ladies of Darlington, at the second anniversary, as the lieutenant's. 

Dec. The whole of the bankers and merchants, with the principal of the railway 
offices, agreed to close their offices at one o'clock. Some of the solicitors did the same, 
others commenced to close an hour earlier each evening. 

Dec. 11. Friday. A most severe snow storm commenced. Darlington was the south- 
ern point of its most heavy fall, Edinburgh the north. The railway was so stopped that 
no mail reached Durham from the south between Tuesday evening and Thursday after- 
noon, when the bags were brought from Darlington by a chaise and six. The trains 
were also much impeded further north. The storm commenced early on the Friday 
morning, some lighter snow having taken place previously, and during the evening of 
that day there were some very brilliant flashes of lightning. The snow fell with little 
intermission throughout that night and the whole of Saturday. On Sunday morning 
the majority of roads were impassable, the wind was strong, and enormous drifts were 
formed : after this an intense frost set in. 

1847. June 2. The public buildings in the Bull Wynd, in the Italian style, were 



* An odder cure was effected at High ConisclifFe in 1848. A poor man of the name of 
Dickinson, was buried there in the hope of restoring the use of the left side of his body, 
which for seven years had been rendered nearly useless by paralysis. Dickinson was an 
inhabitant of Shields, and happening to meet in the street with an elderly gentleman, who 
stated that he was a physician of Edinburgh, was advised by him to undergo this strange 
operation. The soil with which he was to be covered, was to be that of his native place, 
and accordingly, Dickinson, strong in faith and nothing doubting, set off on foot, and reso- 
lutely dragged his half paralysed body to High Coniscliffe, the village of his birth, a distance 
of about forty miles. A man engaged in embanking by the Tees side, was the grave-digger: 
he made a hole in which the patient lay with his shoulders slightly elevated, and he then 
heaped soil upon him to the depth of about two feet. The burial was to last four hours ; 
at the expiration of about a quarter of an hour, the patient broke out into a profuse perspira- 
tion, and continued in a perfect lather the rest of the time. Shortly afterwards a violent 
pain came into the paralysed knee, extending from thence to the hip, ascending to the 
back and thence descending to the loins. The pain in this part was so intense, that the 
patient feared he should faint, and nothing but the encouragement of two or three friends, 
who now and then came to him, enabled him to persevere, which he did till within a quar- 
ter of an hour of the prescribed four. When taken out, the paralysed side is described as 
having had the white and wrinkled appearance of a washerwoman's arms after a hard day's 
wash. The man was dressed with the soil attached to him, and walked away from his 
grave with a step more nimble than he walked to it. This was evident to every one. In 
the evening of the operation, he declared he felt very much better, and expressed great 
thankfulness in consequence. He stated, however, that the pain he had suffered was so 
severe, in a side, by the bye, that had not known feeling for many years, that he would 
hardly undergo the operation again to save his life. The man who buried him too, says, 
that when he saw him turn as he did, " black in the face as soot," he repented having 
buried him, and was obliged to take off a portion of the soil, fearing lest he should die. On 
the subject of this cure, a correspondent in the Durham Advertiser writes, that he remem- 
bered seeing in Prior's Voyages, a plate shewing Dampier, labouring under illness, buried 
to the chin on the shore of an East India Island. A gentleman of Darlington also informed 
him that a Maltese physician was, some forty years since, on a visit to his (informant's) 
father, who said, as to the treatment of the plague, in his broken English, " We do take the 
peoples that are seized, and do bury them in the ground till they do swear." " Swear, 



doctor ? swear, did you say ? What can swearing have to do with their cure ? you probably 

." " Oh ! yes, sweat, that is the word ; we do bv 
the ground till they do sweat.' 



mean sweat instead of swear." " Oh ! yes, sweat, that is the word ; we do bury them in 



A few ancient spirits still enquire of druggists in Darlington for a penny puke. The 
word is classical, and is used by Vanbrugb. " Only Doll puked a little with riding back- 
ward, so they hoisted her into the coach-box— and then her stomach was easy." 



SUPERSTITIONS. 327 

opened by a tea-party and soiree in connection with the Mechanics' Institute. The 
hall is eighty-two feet long by forty-four feet wide ; there is a platform at one end, and 
a gallery capable of holding two hundred persons at the other : the light is obtained 
from the roof. Architect, John Middleton, esq. Total cost, including purchase of land, 
about 8000£. The chair was occupied by Lord Harry Vane, M.P., and addresses were 
delivered by several gentlemen. A very handsome rosewood desk was, on the same 
occasion, presented by the institution to their honorary secretary, Mr. Hugh Dunn. 

The public buildings comprise the great " Central Hall,"* lecture room, committee 
room, and various private offices. Kitchens are attached. The Mechanics' Institute 
has a large library and class room on the basement storey. The old buildings adjoining 
and fronting into the market place are also fitted up as rooms for the Subscription Li- 
brary and offices. 

June. A doe-rabbit at Darlington was stolen, leaving a family of young ones unpro- 
vided for. About the same time, a cat lost all her kittens save one. It struck the mind 
of somebody that she might possibly prove a mother to the rabbits, and, upon trial, she 
took to them, and suckled both them and the kitten. They seemed to flourish under 
this discipline for some time, but at last died. 

Oct. 2. Commenced at Barnard-castle by Messrs. George Brown, Henry Atkinson, 
and other shareholders, a liberal journal, price three-pence half-penny, entitled " The 
Darlington and Stockton Times, and Barnard-castle, Richmond, Auckland, Middles- 
brough, Hartlepool, Teesdale, and Swaledale Journal. A newspaper for Durham county 7 
Richmondshire, and Cleveland." In Feb., 1848, the publishing of the paper was re- 
moved to Darlington, under the auspices of Mr. Robert Thompson, who had joined the 
concern. It was soon found that, to keep pace with the requirements of the day, the 
size must be enlarged, and the price increased to four-pence. To these changes Mr. 
Thompson's allies being averse, and declining investing any extra capital, in Feb., 1849, 
he became sole proprietor, and effected the change. The paper has an extensive circu- 
lation, which is steadily incieasing. 

1848. March. A full grown lamb was bom at Harewood Hill, on the estate of John 
C. Hopkins, esq., with two distinct heads and necks joined at the breasts, also two back 
bones parallel to each other, and joined at the middle of the back, one bone alone con- 
tinuing from thence to the tail ; it died soon after birth. On dissection two hearts were 
discovered, but only one liver. 

1848. March. A remarkable case was brought before R. H. Allan, Esq., in which- 
two servant girls were complainants. Two women had called on them, one acting as 
soothsayer, the other as recommender. After some conversation a bargain was struck, 
and the soothsayer was to tell these silly girls " who their chaps were," but this she 
could not do unless she had their clothes to divine from. The girls were accordingly 
persuaded by her to lend all their best clothes to her, which they did. The women de- 
camped, sold the articles to a dealer in second-hand apparel, and were no more seen by 
the dupes. The woman, however, had been pursuing the same system of tricking at 
Richmond, and after being released, they were captured for the present offence. The 
charge being clearly proved, they were committed to Durham for two months at hard 
labour, and the clothes given up to the owners, on their paying half the cost of the 
second-hand dealer, Mr. Allan thinking it only right that they should be punished a 
little for their credulity. 

There certainly is a strange amount of curious superstition floating in the neighbour- 
hood. Soothsaying by old women is still patronised even by parties in the higher ranks 
of life. When a corpse does not stiffen immediately, another death in the family is very 
speedily to take place. " Wise men" still are considered better than policemen, but 

* A countryman was overheard one day directing a woman's attention to the " Celestial 
Hall." The same week, at the hirings, two servants met, and thus ran their chat, " Wecl 
Mary, how is ta, where dost ta live now ?" " Why I'.s weel enew — but I don't live, I's get- 
ten wed." 



328 DOMESTIC. 

their efforts are unsuccessful if the thief has passed a running stream. " The Skeme 
water-witch.''' of old most notorious near Darlington, has been succeeded in the present 
day, in close neighbourhood, by an aged crone, who was a plaintiff at the magistrates' 
meeting in 1849, she having been most villainously assaulted and beaten by a termagant 
neighbour, no doubt excited by prevailing complaints of the old woman. For, horrible 
to relate, it seems that she goes "blazing about the house all night," and a year or two 
ago was very audacious in killing cattle of an adjoining farmer,* being seen at midnight 
" in nought but her petticoat and smock sleeves," neither walking nor running, but 
gliding or fleecing along the road to his farmstead. Nor was he unmolested until he 
summoned courage to procure a beast's heart, stick it full of pins, and roast it. " I 
assure you, sir, she's a very uncanny woman, and a very dangerous one to have for a 
neighbour." Poor soul, she seemed indeed more sinned against than sinning. 

Ghosts are also in full play, to the great depreciation of property. At one house are 
melancholy footsteps heard of a person in silks, who amuses himself or herself by break- 
ing spiritual sticks or trailing chains along the floor, emerging from under beds, but 
only showing half a man's head ; jumping into bed in the shape of a child beside a per- 
son, or with a clay-cold hand raising him half out of his resting-place. The ghost has 
been seen in the shape of a well-dressed man coming out of the Skerne, setting his back 
against the house door and vanishing. Tenant after tenant has left, the reason given 
being that the tenement is hopelessly afflicted by the sprite of a man said to have been 
murdered in that locality some twenty years ago. Whenever a person comes unfairly 
by his death, his unhouselled soul lingers round its ancient haunts. A white figure, 
headless, has been seen in open daylight (!) come out of the door of an embattled cow- 
house behind Polam, walk leisurely round it, and disappear past its corner. It is said 
that a man hung himself there. White rabbits, and nondescript animals with "eyes as 
big as saucers," find ready credence still. They run about the town, and occasionally 
personate the souls of those who have sold themselves to Satan. 

Some twenty or thirty years ago a woman came in great tribulation to Edwd. Pease, 
esq. She stated that she could not work at all ; a ghost sat on her wheel-head and 
prevented her spinning ; and that she would very soon starve. She knew he could lay 
the ghost and begged him to do so. He saw through the phantasy, and said at once 
that he could lay it. So he took a bit of paper, adorned it with some large B's and red 
wafers, held it to the fire, and put it on the wheel-head. The woman soon acknow- 
ledged with joy that the ghost had vanished. 

April 18. About two o'clock, a.m., the fire bell rang, and fire was discovered raging 
in the house formerly the Allan residence, and now the property of Messrs. R. and W. 
Thompson. About six o'clock the fire was subdued by the great exertion of the inhabi- 
tants, but the amount of damage was 5001. or*600£. 

* Darlington market has been unlucky to the farmers of Hawsley (near Great Stainton). 
One of them (named Boazman) had promised the daughter of Sarah Close, of Aycliffe, 
marriage ; but, like many other people, failed to perform his intentions. The old lady 
(who had a suspected cat, and in passing whose door school-lads, some sixty years ago, 
always ejaculated, Four fingeks and a thumb, witch ! I defy thee ! ! accompanying 
the conjuration by the action of placing the thumb on the middle of the palm, and the four 
fingers upon it) had her revenge. The faithless swain soon began to lose all his flocks and 
herds, either by murrain or witchcraft ; their bodies were thrown into a ditch near Newton 
Ketton, and were pointed out to my informant by his father years after, and so frightful 
was the visitation, that he is known to have come in tears to say that he had not one horse 
left to take away the dead bodies out of the foldyard. For some time even the cattle, 
given or sold very cheap to him by the pitying neighbours, died also ; but at last he began 
to prosper. In returning from market, one Monday evening, " half seas over," he fell from 
his horse, and was suffocated in a dirty pool of water near Patie's Nook ; in fact, where 
the new bridge has lately been built, and produced Such angry litigation among the good 
folks of Burdon. About forty years afterwards, the witch-bound farmer's nephew met his 
death on a similar journey from market, in the same state of intoxication, at the same 
place, and in exactly the same manner. The two succeeding occupiers of Hawsley also 
suffered violent deaths ; the first by jumping from a train near Stillington when tipsy, the 
second by a corve of coals running over a staith and crushing him when standing beneath, 



PRESENT STATE. 329 

The modern characteristics of Darlington shall be shortly summed up. 
In doing so I desire that Mr. Rangers excellent report on the township ol 
Darling-ton, presented to the General Board of Health in 1850, may be read 
with mine. 

Up to that period the town was improved and kept in order under the 
powers of the somewhat obsolete and half-yearly Borough and Halmot 
Courts, and of the Local Act of 1823. The Commissioners named in the 
Local Act for carrying out its provisions were 127. Vacancies were to bo 
filled up by surviving Commissioners : they were therefore self-elected. There 
was great difficulty in obtaining a proper attendance of Commissioners, even 
of 5, the required quorum. Many of the Commissioners named in the Act 
did not even reside in the town, and had never been qualified. A sanitary 
committee was appointed by the Commissioners in 1847 as a step in the 
right direction. In 1848 notices were given of an intended application to 
Parliament for a new Local Act. The idea fell through. In 1849, on the 
petition of one tenth in number of the ratepayers, the General Board of 
Health by their superintending Inspector, William Ranger, esq., held an 
enquiry which led to the application of the Public Health Act in 1850. 
Mr. Ranger's report abounds in curious detail, much of it indeed is un- 
suitable to a work for general readers, but it forms the basis of many of the 
following remarks. 

Darlington is seated near the junction of the tipper new red sandstone with the 
magnesian limestone. The former crops out in the bed of the Tees at Croft, three miles 
south of the town ; at Middleton, five miles to the east ; at Coniscliffe, four miles to the 
west ; and at Aycliffe, five miles to the north. The level stratification of superficial 
accumulations of sand, gravel, and clay (the latter in some places passing into marie) 
seem to be formed of the debris of the magnesian limestone : the clays, which belong- 
to the red marie series, contain no dull and decomposing matter of magnesian lime. 

The town occupies an area of about 140 acres. According to the census return of 1851 
the population of Darlington parish was — males, 5,728 ; females, 6,724 ; total, 12,452. 

Violent contrasts occur in Mr. Ranger's report. Out of every 100 children born in 
one part of the town, 28 died under 1 year, in the country only 5. A table of the 
deaths per 1000 of the population appears in the leport, but to reprint it very numerous 
qualifications and explanations would be necessary, the character and age of the people 
being so diverse in different districts, I therefore omit it, only observing that the average 
number of deaths in 1000 persons was about 22 during 7 years, and that Grange Road, 
Northumberland Street, Paradise Row, Paradise Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Harewood 
Hill, Harewood Grove, West Terrace, and High Terrace, appear to be the best condi- 
tioned places, the average of deaths there was only 9.34 in 1000, the average age 
varied from 44 in the worst to 56 in the best conditions of those places. But after all, 
little is proved by this, taking into consideration the superior class and cleanliness of 
the inhabitants in such localities, and the fact that so many of them have passed the 
crisis of life. Generally where the average of deaths, was high the average age at 

The Boazmans were relations to Squire Boaznaan of Stainton, whose daughter marrying a 
carrier of Darlington in opposition to a resident at Wackerfield, out came the stanza from 
the squire : 

Off goes the waggon wheel, down comes the pack, 

Maxom of Darlington's beat Wackerfield Jack. 

Two other rhymes are remembered from his pen : 

Stainton- le-Street stands on clay, 
By it to Stockton there is a way ; 
There is a church without a steeple, 
A blind parson, and few good people : 
The clerk he sings alone by hissel, 
The reason why, I cannot tell. 

Maclaren of Stainton lias no corn, 
Jordison hasn't a shaff, 
Jack Boazman has g-ot plenty, 
And that makes him to laugh. 

3a 



330 



DOMESTIC. 



death was low, but in some places the number of deaths was low, yet they were con- 
fessedly dirty, and the average age at death was low also, infants could not be reared. 
The caution necessary before coining to conclusions from returns will be apparent. 
For in some streets where the average deaths were from 25 to 35 per 1000, the average 
age was 16 to 39 ; other streets shewed an average of 17 to 20 per 1000, yet the average 
age was only 12 to 22, and only in one instance 48. 

The greatest number of deaths were from consumption of the lungs. Then came 
scarlatina, fever, and small pox. The lower parts of the town are much subject to 
fever. In former days the intermittent fevers and agues were the prevailing ailments, 
but the Skerne has been damned in and these have nearly ceased. I have heard it 
remarked in various places by old men how in their young days such diseases prevailed, 
and how time has wrought a change. It arises simply from improvement of the 
land. 

The atmosphere of Darlington is mild and relaxing. Strangers on arriving feel its 
influence. It may not lessen the amount of health,* - but it tends to induce the low 
subacute character of the diseases which do occur, and has its general effects both phy- 
sically and mentally. The prevailing diseases are adynamic or athelic, neither admitting 
nor requiring the vigorous active treatment that can be pursued in colder and more 
hilly districts, or where the air is stimulating and invigorating. t 

The Skerne is a fertile source of disease, improved though it be. The gravelly rapid 
stream at Aycliffe meanders through the alluvial holmes from Haughton to Darlington 
with scarce a ripple, and when at the town what small descent it had has been for 
centuries nullified by the damming requisite for ancient mills, no wonder if in summer 
its surface should be green and its smell offensive. And then all the drainage of the 
town is to boot. The Bishops could not conceive the river to be the natural sewer of 
their borough when they plotted out their mill, though I believe after all, that if that 
were the only mill, the whole drainage might be taken into the Skerne below it. Until 
the application of the Public Health Act the sewerage of the town depended on the 
surveyors of the highways, who were not justified in forming it. 

The miserable condition of many dwellings, ventilation and overcrowding, and the 
thousand and one nuisances of Darlington are those (and in many cases in far worse 
degree) of every town in England. The surveyors of the obsolete districts of Borough 
Bondgate and Priestgate used to repair the streets. The commissioners under the local 
act cleansed them ; both parties being irresponsib.e for joint action. The borough had 
less length of road to repair, yet having no country district, paid double the rate of 
Bondgate in the pound. About six feet of paving which had been taken up to insert a 
drain, remained unfinished for years in consequence of a dispute between the authorities 
of Bondgate and the Borough. Priestgate having only one street to repair, was exempt 
from rate for years together. The new Board of Health during their first year, not- 
withstanding the expenses of the elections, stationery, rents, and extra offices, did not 
levy more than the aggregate amount raised by the three sets of surveyors and the old 
Commissioners, and were content with a shilling rate. Yet in that year heavy expenses 
were incurred to place the working of the scheme on a proper basis. Thus crippled in 
means, from a disinclination to increase rates, various improvements have been post- 
poned, but much has been done, and that in a substantial and permanent manner. 
Catterick's Yard, where fever, measles, and small pox reigned triumphant, has been 
drained, and not a single case has been reported since. Instead of a man and boy with 
a horse and cart to do the scavenging, four men and a stone mason are constantly 
employed, and these with the stone-breakers repair the roads and cleanse the streets. The 
improvement is immense all through the consolidation and efficiency of officers. It 
should be added that Mr. Geo, Mason the surveyor, and Mr. Piper the officer of health, 
have every local advantage, and have made good use of their facilities. 

The cattle fairs in the centre of the town are an intolerable nuisance. In 1851 they 
were made weekly instead of fortnightly. It appeared in evidence before Mr. Ranger 
that the cattle slaughtered in the town were chiefly forwarded to the London market, 
while those for town consumption were slaughtered in the country ; and that a practice 
prevailed to a considerable extent of driving diseased cattle into the town during the 
night for the purpose of slaughtering and transmission to London. I have been told 



* Many instances of Darlington longevity have been given in p. 235. The following, 
I believe, refers to cheerful Mr. Watkin. "There is now living in Darlington, a gentle- 
man upwards of eighty years of age, who one day last week walked from that place to 
Newcastle. It was his custom, when resident in Richmond, and carrying on the business 
of a draper there, always to walk to Manchester, a distance of ninety- three miles, to 
purchase his goods ; and should any good Samaritan perchance offer him a ride in his 
vehicle, he would never accept it. During his absence, having no assistant in his shop, 
it was his custom to put a card on the door, bearing the inscription; ' Clone to market.' " 
+ Mr. Fothcrgill. Ranger's Report. 



PRESENT STATE. 331 

that about the year 1820 there was a dreadful mortality in the feline trine, and kittens 
were brought to Darlington market and sold at from Sd. to 186?. a head according to 
age and beauty. 
"The degrees of hardness in the springs of Darlington vary from 38 to 70. Of the 
water in the rivulets, the following report from Mr. Mason to the Board of Health gives 
the most intelligible idea. "Dr. Pla\fair has stated that ten gallons of water of 
fourteen degrees of hardness requires three ounces of soap to make it detergent or of a 
cleansing quality ; whereas the softest public pump water in Darlington is thirty-eight 
degrees, or nearly three times harder. Skerne water contains about eighteen degrees, 
Cockerbeck twelve degrees, and Tees water three and a half degrees ; so that for every 
ten gallons of water used for washing, pump water will require eight ounces of soap, 
Skerne three and three quarters ounces, Cockerbeck two and a half ounces, and, Tees 
loatcr three quarters of an ounce ; or in money value, with soap 6d. per lb., the cost for 
soap for ten gallons would be with pump water 3d., Skerne lid., Cockerbeck nearly Id., 
and Tees little more than a farthing.'" Infusions of tea, brewing, &c, have given 
similar results. 

The spring water of the town is pleasant to the palate ; but the public pumps are 
insufficient. Soft water cannot be obtained in any large quantity. The Darlington 
gas and water company obtained an act, 12 and 13 Vict., c. 73, under which they 
supply water from the Tees. They take it from near the head of Baydales. Their 
engine will lift 500 gallons per minute. Their service reservoir is situate in the Hill 
Close House estate, and will hold 800,000 gallons * Another company, formed in 1851, 
take water hence along the Darlington and Yarm road, and the railway, and supply 
Yarm, Stockton, and Middlesbrough. They have a second reservoir at Fighting Cocks. 

Many veterans shook their heads at the Tees water when its introduction was mooted. 
They said that cattle became diseased in the lungs after grazing by the side of the Tees ; 
that cattle imported from Middleton in Teesdale, and the ripe of Swale were a bad 
speculation, for they became " belloned," or short winded ; that the water was fre- 
quently charged with lead by the practice of hushing, and killed the fish ; and now 
were men also to be diseased in the lungs, and belloned, and poisoned. Therefore foot- 
races would be known only by report of more favoured parishes, and by Strutt's 
Sports and Pastimes ; the gush of melody would he no more heard from the sweet 
voices of men ; but after being a bad speculation to their neighbours, the majestic 
bipeds would, like the fish, turn upon their backs and perish with uplifted and distorted 
eye. Others reported that they would be happier and cleaner and healthier : that the 
beer would be better, and the tea stronger : the fishermen near the lead never saw their 
joy damped, nor were the cattle belloned so long as they kept at Middleton Teesdale : 
and mysterious analysts, Professor Play fair among them, found no lead in the inkiest 
water. They thought the people might still delight in the brisk water from the springs 
as far as their throats were concerned ; and although it is not right for a man to be all 
white without and corrupt within, there seemed to be no reason why he was to be white 
within and corrupt without. There seemed no valid objection to fires being extin- 
guished at Darlington, the people were not all fatalists, nor was it clear that an absence 
of water cleansed the streets.f And at last opinion began to grow favourable to the 
Tees water, and another idea arose, that small houses were not quite the places to disport 
in the water. More room and more Tees water would be better. So with a subscribed 
capital of 630/., and various munificent donations,^ some 1,000/. was gained, no bad 
beginning for a convenient array of Public Baths. There is another step in the ladder, 
men of Darlington ! there are institutions called Public JVashhouses. 

The gas works are about a mile north of the market place, close to the station of the 
Stockton and Darlington railway. 

One of the most pressing wants of the town is that of a public cemetery. Burials 
in the old church are exceedingly rare : the churchyard attached to it contains 2 acres 
and 38 perches, and this quantity includes an addition. When it is considered that 
tins graveyard, to a recent period, was the only one, except that belonging to the Society 
of Friends, its state need not be insisted on. The area of the cemetery attached to 
Trinity church is 1 acre and 8 perches. It is of course impossible to transfer the town 
sepulture to such a space even for a limited period. The ground belonging to the 

* The office is in the Central Buildings. Secretary, Mr. H. Robinson, 

f The Local Board of Health have contracted with the company for a supply of water 
for both purposes. 

+ Robert Henry Allan, esq., 100/. ; the Duke of Cleveland, 50/. ; J. C. Backhouse, esq., 
50/. ; Mrs. Barclay, 50/.; Miss E. Pease, 50/.; Edmund Backhouse, esq., 30/..; William 
Backhouse, esq., 30/. ; Lord Harry Vane, M.P., 25/.; James Farrer,esq., M.P., 10/. 10s. The 
baths are in Kendrew street. 



332 



DOMESTIC. 



Friends contains 1 rood and 20.J perches ; the depth of the graves is very great, and the 
annual burials amount to an average of four only. 

The number of public houses and beershops (about eighty) is much too great for 
the town. The circumstance of magistrates having no voice as to the increase of beer- 
shops is very pernicious to morals ; and as the extent of income lowers so does the 
stake and respectability of the householders. 

" The gentry to the King's Head," as Heywood has it in his Signs of 1608, is still 
true in Darlington, though the "Sun" shines very brightly opposite.* Some of the older 
signs, such as the Talbot, have already been noticed in this work. Many significant 
ones still occur, such as the Pack Horse, the Fleece,f the Dun Cow,% the Hole in the 
WaJl,§ the Boot and Shoe,|| Red Lion, Three Blue Bells, Royal Oak, Hat and Feather, 
Bull's Head,1F Dolphin, Rose and Crown, Black Swan, Half Moon,** and the Black 
Bull. These houses may not all be ancient, though the signs assumed are so. In the 
old view of Darlingtin, in the possession of Mrs. Bowes, the royal badge of a stag 
couchant appears in Prebend Row. There were two " Rising Stags," one near Dr. 
Peacock's house in Skinnergate, the other in Tubwell Row. In 1720 we have the 
messuage in the Head Row lately called the White Horse Inn. In 1730 the Cross Keys 
occur in Tubwell Row.ft 

In addition to the chronological notices already given of the companies and progress 



* Thomas Turner, chieftain of the King's Head Inn, is the namesake of a very respec- 
table family in Darlington, who delighted in affording a Thomas Turner in 1650. But, 
while Thomas Turner of 1650 basked in "Sun Row," Thomas Turner of 1850 is diametri- 
cally opposite to his rival the Wright-son of the Sun ; and probably instead of supporting 
the son of rectitude in front, would, if he is a prudent tradesman, sincerely wish to see 
his neighbour to the right about. We generally, I think, find the best inns of a place 
clustering together as if the culinery art can only flourish where the cold air is kept out 
by other fires fuming and browning and frowning and reeking. 

+ Said, I know not why, to have been the town residence of the Prescotts. I think it 
only belonged to them. A very ancient door studded, and adorned with a cruciform 
knockerplate and fleurdelis, guards the yard entrance to the street. It is an old and sub- 
stantial hostelry re-edified. It occurs as the " Old Fleece Inn." 

t A house in Post House Wynd is styled the Old Dun Cow Inn. It is in truth behind 
what was the Dun Cow Inn, namely the house at the south-east angle of the Wynd. The 
other Dun Cow, in the Horse Market, is of recent date- The Durham legend is of course 
alluded to — a legend in no way original, and almost exactly similar to stories about Salis- 
bury cathedral, and Finchale abbey. Nor at Durham is it even ancient ; it occurs in none 
of our sufficiently credulous early writers, and it may have arisen from a sculpture as 
much as a sculpture from it. 

§ The inns of this sign were not uncommon, and are considered as so named from being 
snug par eminence, and, hut in a better sense, like the chamber mentioned in Ezekiel, viii., 
7, as approached by a hole in the wall. But, though in general they were named from being 
good skulking holes for those who loved drinking better than work, " in summer shady, 
and in winter warm," where in this season the beer was brought up, and in that kept 
down, to a proper state ; the Darlington example is said to arise in a far-fetched pun upon 
one Hollywell or Halliwell who kept it. 

|| In an agreement of 1762 the inn in Tubwell Row now called the Golden Cock is 
described as " formerly the Blue Boar, now the sign of the Boot and Shoe, in Tubwelrow," 
In all the title deeds no sign is mentioned, the house being merely described as a burgage. 
I cannot therefore say anything about the antiquity of the former appellation. The Blue 
Boar was followed by the Three Jolly Travellers; and Mrs. Edmondson has the sign- 
board, excellently painted. On the reverse is the subsequent Boot and Shoe. It is now 
the Golden Cock. 

H The Neville Crest. 

** The Percy badge. " The half moon shining all so fair." 

ft 1615. We finde Tho. Branso' to keep one undersettle and find him not fitt to keep any 
alehouse.— 1617. Noe keepers of Tiplinge howses within the iurisdiccon of this Borough 
of Darlington shall from henceforth take or receyve into theire howse or howses any 
forreyners or straungers to them unknowne to lodge or entertaineby the space of one hoore 
together without firste makinge the head officer therewith acquainted upon paine of 
forfeitinge toties quoties 39s. lid. ob — 1741. Every Innkeeper Brewer or Retailer of Ale 
and Beer within the said town and burrow of Darlington (for time beyond the memory of 
man) have always paid and ought to pay yearly and every year, at the feast of Easter the 
sum of 2d. to the Lord Bishop of Durham's Lessees of the tolls for the time being of the 
said town and Burrough for their lycence and brew-farm for leave to sell ale and beer 
within the same town and burrough according to the ancient usage and custom of the said 
town and burrough.— 1723. Ordered that all Innkeepers move their sign-pcsts upon or 
before 1 August. Borough Books. 



PRESENT STATE. 333 

of trade, the registers afford some data. A challonweaver* occurs 102G ; fuller and 
ropeinaker, 1C52 ; chandlemaker, 1653; fcltmonger, 1654; loriman,t 1655 ; silkweavev, 
1657 ; Robert Coarson, tobackoman,^ 1658 (called merchant in 1667) ; Tho. Bill, 
proctor, 1665 ; coverlid worker, 166(5 ; Wm. Fledge, of Norridge, stapler, was buried 
in Darlington, 1681 ; mettleman, [a copper smith or tinman], firkinmaker, 1683 ; 
scepper [basket-maker], of Cockerton, 1698 ; Jersey comber, 1608 ; ale draper, of 
Blackwell, 1702; wood heal maker, 1704 ; ho-boy, 1704; wauker,§ 1708 : Mr. Wm. 
Middleton, of Blackwell, watchmaker [an odd place for such a craft], 1716 ;. buckle- 
maker, 1746 ; rough-rider, 1754 ; peruke maker, 1757 ; china-mender, 1784 ; spectacle- 
frame maker, 1789 ;|| James Mc Kenn, quack doctor,1f a stranger, bur. 1797.** 

At one time upwards of 1500 looms were employed in Darlington and the neigh- 
bourhood.t't* Steam has changed the tune. Darlington and its colonies, however, are 
still no dwarfs in manufactures. In the great exposition of 1851, the material of the 
flags which from the exterior of the crystal palace fluttered a welcome to all, was made 
here by Messrs. Pease and Co. ; the very iron was smelted by Pease's coke ; Mr. Pease's 
fire-bricks gained a prize ; patent fuel made at Middlesbrough, a council medal ; and 
the Coburg cloth, manufactured here by Henry Pease and Co., carried away a prize 
against Halifax competitors and numerous old houses who had considered themselves 
unapproachable. Mr. Charge exhibited a hunting saddle, which, though the prize was 
borne away by a case containing three saddles, was considered quite equal to them. 

The largest manufacturing establishments at Darlington are those of H. Pease and 
Co., two large mills for woollen goods, and another for cotton ; Overend and Co., flax ; 
J. and F. Kipling, carpets ; Kipling and Teasdale, M. Middleton, J. H. Bowman, and 
W. and R. Child, leather. 

About 184 . ., Mr. Heslegrave, land surveyor, Darlington, patented a very superior 
atmospheric spring for railway carriages which was soon in constant operation on the 
Stockton and Darlington line. In 1848 also, Mr. W. Froude, of Darlington obtained 
ajpatent for a valve to cover the longitudinal opening of an atmospheric railway tube. 
Mr. Stephen Carlton, coachmaker, Northgate, is proprietor of a very simple and com- 
fortable carriage-spring, which is registered. 

In the matter of signs, the following is perhaps our most vigorous effort : — 

" Richard Bolam is my well known name, 
For sweeping chimneys extoll'd by fame ; 
From a cottage to a castle, I will attend 
The shortest notice, from each friend. 
With my machine and attendant by my side, 
I'll sweep your chimneys either strait or wide." 

* John Glover, of Darlington, chalen wever, aged 44, a witness in the ecclesiastical court, 
1595. 

+ A manufacturer of small works in iron. 
X The following tradesmen's tokens struck at Darlington before 1672, (when' their cir- 
culation was stopped, and government copper issued,) occur, 1, "Robert Coarson," 
(king's head to the left) rev. " * In Darlington," 1666" (a roll of tobacco). 2, " Richard 
Scaife" (king's head to the left), rev. " *In Darlington, 1666," (grocers' arms, Scaife 

being of that calling, and a recusant). 3, R B [Branson ?J effaced. 

4, Michael Middleton, (king's head, looking left). 5, Michael Middleton, a variety and 
much larger coin ; " Michael Middleton, or," rev. a crown. " Darlington, his Half- 
penny." 

§ Walk-mill-nook is the name of two fields on the Skerne between Blackwell mill and 
Snipe bridge. A walker was a fuller of cloth. A century ago there were two walk-mills 
at Piersebridge. 

|| A craft consequent on Kendrew's discoveries. Vide sub. anno. 1800. 
•[[ Francis Bainbrigge of Darlington, barbar surgion, and Robert Raynere medicus, occur 
1626. Robert Ward, of D., trance latter, 1663. Mary Bullock, of Blackwell, midwife, 
bur. 1708. 

** I have mislaid the dates of " Whitesmith alias malman" and "higler" i. e. huckster 
or pedlar. 

ff When I was a little girl, about seven years old, 
I hadn't got a petticoat, to cover me from the cold ; 
So I went into Darlington, that pretty little town, 
And there I bought a petticoat, a cloak, and a gown. 
I went into the woods and built me a kirk, 
And all the birds of the air, they helped me to work ; 
The hawk with his long claws, pulled down the stones, 
The dove, with her rough bill, brought me them home : 
The parrot was the clergyman, the peacock was the clerk, 
The bullfinch played the organ, and we made merry work. 

HalliwelVs Nursery Rhymes. 
But the stanza is altered to suit many towns. 



334 



DOMESTIC 



This production went further. It was transplanted with slight variation into a card 
with a brilliant border, and heading, which gave additional information that Mr. 
Bolam was also a "smoke-jack cleaner.'' A rival sweep was all on fire. He came to 
a friend of mine to request that he would compose him a " poem/' also, but 1 fear that 
the errand was fruitless. I don't know that I can excel the above ensign. There was 
another amusing one, I remember. " R. Noble — Taxiderdmist-— Warranted." 

The tradesmen of Darlington have a " Marine Insurance Association," to provide 
for risks in the transit of goods. It took the place and in fact is a continuation of 
" The Darlington Commercial Mutual Insurance Company," established in 1782. Mr. 
O. B. Wooler is the solicitor. 

The supposed origin of the benefit clubs in the ancient guilds or trade companies, 
seems to me a fanciful theory. The two have their coincidences as far as the risk are 
concerned, but there the similitude ends. The guilds were the organs of the burghai 
monopoly. The restriction of modern societies to trade is the exception. I have seen 
tickets of contribution to the charity stock of the " Darlington Old Society," dated the 
last century From their illustrations — a ram, the church, and " Bishop Blaise/' — I 
assume this was a restrictive club : '• liberty, property, no deceit," was their heading. 
There are several flourishing benefit societies in Darlington ; among them are courts of 
the well known and "ancient order of Foresters," and the ancient order of Shep- 
herds* Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, and the Manchester Unity of the Order 
of Odd Fellows, have their lodges. These societies number near 1000 members at 
Darlington. There are also two or three Free Gift associations, promoting prudence in 
expenditure, they divide their funds annually, and make no provision for sickness. 
The Wesleyans have a benefit society. The Christian Visiting Society employ a town 
mission to search out cases of sickness and poverty in order to their relief.f The 
average allowance in these prudent institutions amounts to about 75. weekly for sick- 
ness, and 2s. 6d. per member per annumn for medical attendance. The aggregate 
yearly expenditure of the enumerated societies, including funeral donations for members 
and their wives, is near 5001., making a total expenditure (including the Dispensary 
and Wesley an Benevolent Society, see p. 253) of some 670/. 

The poor rates at Darlington are low, about 35. 2d. per annum. Able-bodied paupers 
are scarce ; but vagrancy is a heavy burden, Darlington being a stage on the great 
north road. J 

Since the account of the charities of Darlington was written (p. 262) the fields in 
the township of Elackwell, called Poor Howdens, belonging to the Bellasses charity, 
have been appropriated for the purpose of a public park, or place of sports and recrea- 
tion. A new bridge over the Skerne connects with the road (bought in 1841) and so 
with the Croft turnpike. 

A Savings Bank in the town has proved a very great boon to the industrious.§ (See 

* They also are Foresters, in the second degree of Forestry, and their court is called 
" a Sanctuary of Ancient Shepherds." 

+ Mr. H. Spencer furnished an excellent summary of all these societies to Mr. Ranger, 
on his Inquiry. It is in his Report. 

X The Act of 22 Geo. III., relating to the poor, was adopted for Darlington township. 
Under this act the palace was enlarged in 180.9. There were no particular regulations 
with respect to clothing. Such of the poor in the house as were able to work, were 
mostly employed in the manufactories of the town, such as spinning mills, weaving, &c. 
Their earnings were brought weekly to the credit of the township. The annual amount 
raised by the poor rate, for the five years preceding 1810, amounted to U5QI. During that 
period houses paid 3s. in the pound, and land 4s. 6d. This act continued in force until the 
New Poor Law included Darlington, which was then made the centre of a Union which 
comprises several parishes in both counties, and is sufficiently laid down as respects Dur- 
ham in Hobson's map of that county. Carlbury however, an extra-parochial portion of 
Coniscliffe, is independent. The workhouse is a pattern of cleanliness, and is rarely 
equalled, I should suppose, in comfort. One old woman has been in the house almost all her 
life, for only two out of her seventy years has she been absent. There is a relieving or vagrant 
house for the vagrants in Bowes street, containing two rooms furnished with seats, and 
each room is capable of holding about six persons, who may squat on the floors or sit on 
the few forms which are there provided for them. The two sexes divide for the night, 
into the two rooms : and no wonder that vagrants beg for alms, openly detailing the hor- 
rors of this Black Hole of Darlington, when some thirty persons occasionally sleep (?) in 
a room fitted for six in the day, and less at night. The elysium begged for by the poor 
creatures will be one of the lodging houses so abundant in Skinnergate, few of which have 
less than ten beds, and in some of them there are as many as nine beds in one room. 
Space is purchasable sometimes at all events, threepence being the price of a bed. At 
this price three, two, or one may constitute the number of its occupants. On the most 
moderate calculation, at least 22,000 wanderers pass in the half year through Darlington. 

§ The following are the other banks in the town. Backhouse and Co., who have branch 
banks from Thirsk to Sunderland, draw on Barclay and Co. : this old bank was established 



PRESENT STATE. 335 

p. 310). The Mechanics' Institute.* (p. 321), the Subscription Library, a News Room, 
and various other little etceteras give considerable facilities and comforts to our agri- 
cultural town. Debating and cricket clubs have been of much use, and a Christian 
young men's society promises favourably. Libraries are attached to the Church Sunday 
School, and to most of the dissenting chapels. 

The old terms of 13 May and 23 November are the usual ones in Darlington, but 
there are still many houses called " Great Monday Houses,," taken from the Great 
Monday after Whitsuntide (see p. 275), the ancient and accustomed day of quitting 
houses iu this town.t 

I had intended to construct, a map of the ancient parish of Darlington. But I find 
myself miserably deficient in much of the identification necessary for such a purpose, 
and all I can do is to hope that the evidences amassed in this volume may at least be no 
unacceptable addition to those necessary for the full investigation of the extinct topo- 
graphy of the parish. Its general situation has been already detailed (pp. 1, 9), and 
its form is readily ascertained in the county maps, and the maps appended to Rawlin- 
son's Report. My index will bring all my scattered details into one focus. A few 
extra particulars may here be added. 

The line market place contains 1,700 square yards. The building are generally 
good, and very different from the time when the corner house was thatched and 
panelled.;}; A number of incongruous buildings obstruct the noble square ; and as the 
shambles have been renovated and improved, reformation seems hopeless. The value of 
the property in the centre of Bondgate has hitherto also prevented width and improve- 
ment in that street. Let it not, however, be understood that the streets of Darlington 
are narrow. As compared with those of thickly populated old towns, they are of 
princely w r idth, but in the country one expects expanse.§ An isolated tree near the 
Green Tree Inn, in Skinnergate, has a very happy effect. The old cottages opposite 
the house of Edward Pease, esq., in Northgate, close to the great boulder stone, were 
known as "Darlington House,"|| ending the town to the north. Now in that and all 
directions, handsome villas and spreading gardens extend themselves, stretching from 
Bondgate to Northgate, and from Northgate to Haughton road : a belt of countrified 
farm land intervenes : but near the church they again begin, covering the Skerne's^T 
deep holmes, and insinuating themselves to its bank tops. The Polam (anciently Polin- 
pole) district is of great area on both sides of the river. Crossing the Croft road, 

in 1 774. The Darlington District Banking Company also draw on Barclay and Co. A branch 
of the National Provincial Bank of England is represented by Hanburys and Co., and by the 
London aud Westminster bank. A very handsome front was lately erected by this bank 
on the High Row, in the style of some of the Italian palaces. 

* 1850, May 22. The thirteenth annual meeting of the Yorkshire Union of Mechanics' 
Institutes (which includes those of Stockton and Darlington) was held in Darlington. 
Forty delegates from twenty-nine institutes met at twelve o'clock, in the lecture room, 
Central Buildings, Edward Baines, esq., of Leeds, chairman. It was stated that in 1845, 
the Union contained 20 institutes, it now comprised 109, with 18,516 members, and had 
been the means of obtaining paid lectures to 31 institutes at a considerable saving when 
compared with the funds required for isolated engagements. A paid lecturer was now on 
constant service. The exertions of Mr. G. Linnceus Banks, of Harrogate, Mr. Norman, 
Mr. Wilkinson, &c„ were highly applauded. Twenty-seven new institutes were then 
admitted. The Darlington institute had adopted a book committee who examined the 
proposal book before it was submitted to the general committee, and at a recent committee 
meeting out of twenty-eight books proposed twenty-four were rejected as not desirable 
for the library of the institute. The president of the Union, Edward Baines, esq., was 
re-elected. The annual dinner took place at the Sun Inn, assembly room, Francis Mew- 
burn, eaq., the borough bailiif, in the chair. A soiree Avas afterwards held in the Central 
Hall, at which some 400 persons were present. The Dean of Ripon occupied the chair. 
Among other resolutions, the continued prosperity of the Darlington institute was desired, 
it haviug a larger number of members, considering the population of the town, than almost 
any institution with Avhieh the proposer (John Hope Shaw, esq., of Leeds) was acquainted. 
It was universally thought that the meeting was of great advantage to our institute, in 
suggesting meaus of improvement and exhibiting the experience of other towns. 

t Letter from James Allan, esq , to General John Lambton, 1786, copy penes R. H. A. 
X Inf. Edward Pease, esq. 

§ About 100 years ago Skinnergate was merely a back lane, as an outlet to the houses on 
the High Row, with here and there an old thatched cottage on the west side. (Inf. Fra. 
Mewburrii esq.) New thatching over the bridge and in Bondgate occur in the Allan rent 
rolls for 1761 and 1774. 

|| John, son of Anthony Fryer, late of Darlington House, carpenter, deceased. Ap- 
prenticed 1650. (Newcastle Masters' and Mariners' Books-) 

U Can Skernc have ought to do with akcr, to slide swiftly, to skate. In some parts the 
verb would not be inapplicable. 



336 



DOMESTIC. 



Woodside, and the pleasant houses of Harewood, attract us. These stretch almost to 
Coniscliffe Lane, bounding Southend (formerly Borrowses) the seat of Joseph Pease, 
esq., our quondam M. P. In Coniscliffe Lane we have the Chief Bailiff's residence 
(Larchfield), and the Vicarage. Cockerton road again is lined on each side — the house 
of Pierremont exhibiting an ornate Gothic style, windows stained with the " b's" of 
Botcherby and other decorations. It would be invidious generally to descriminate 
the status of a villa as distinguished from a house, much more so to usurp the office of 
a directory and give the owners of the various domiciles favoured by the title. To give 
the stranger an idea of the society of Darlington, it is sufficient to say that generally 
the out-residences are filled by Friends, who excel greatly in horticulture. Their 
grounds are enviable places of solace and retirement, where they allow the Horticul- 
tural Society's meetings to be held. The only but unavoidable drawbacks to the 
beauty which the approaches to Darlington assume from the snug homes of its 
magnates, are the long ranges of wall bounding the road. These are bald enough, but, 
near a towm, what could be done ? 

The Bishop's Park was on the east side of the Skerne ; it is now divided into fields, 
chiefly held by lease under the see. Depressions have been filled up with bark and 
rubbish, and on this decaying substructure streets have been built, the perpetual abode 
of fever and disease. 

The lands about St. John's Church constitute a district called Dodmires, once a 
rough miry place enough, no doubt, and probably harbouring some awkward hobgoblin 
or dudman, as the portion lately bought by the Freehold Land Society was anciently 
called Dodman's closes. But whether he was covered with duds and was a nasty ragged 
sprite, like the household ghosts of the north, or was a shifting Will-of-the-whisp, 
dodginq* poor unfortunates, I really am not spiritual enough to discern.f 

Cockerton and Archdeacon Newton call for small remark. The latter is a purely 
agricultural township, with scattered dwellings. The former is a long, miserable 
village, with an ancient well, and a dead-alive November aspect. There is a ballad on 
" the lass of Cockerton," sadly belying the title of Ritson's Bishopric Garland to its 
claim as " a choice collection of excellent songs." 

The name of Rice Carr, or Riscar, no doubt takes its name from some carrs or low 
grounds supplying abundance of saplings to form the interwoven fences of " rice and 
stake. "J 

Blackwell has figured before in this volume. The village was once much more 
extensive. R. H. Allan, esq., had great difficulty in draining Prescott's field, in conse- 
quence of foundations of houses. The Tees has done its work of destruction, and the 
late John Allan, esq., pulled down several wretched tenements of mud. At present 
Blackwell is a very ancestral looking place, with its Allan halls, and wooded domains. 
J. C. Backhouse, esq., and Mrs. Milbank, have pleasant residences here. A few more 
houses and white cottages with rich little gardens in front compose the habitable area. 
Mr. R. H. Allan, who added these little gardens and otherwise much improved the 
village, gives annual prizes for the best horticulture, and great are the struggles 
of the patriarchs. There is in Blackwell, by the way, a very old door studded with 
iron in a framework marked with a cross. It hung at the entrance of Prescotts' old 
mansion, in the precincts of which a Flemish coin, the size and style of our silver 
pennies of Edward I., and struck at Alost, was found. § A small circle of lead, 
ornamented with pellets, and perforated, was also found in the grounds attached 
to Blackwell hall, and is there preserved. 

A more minute description of the neighbourhood of Darlington will not be interesting 
to strangers, and the inhabitants will not care about it. 

Some remarks on manners and customs may be expected. Of these one of the most 
remarkable was that of Riding the Stang, an exposure to infamy of offenders in matri- 
monial or domestic affairs generally. Adultery, corporal chastisement of the fair sex, 
and over-reachings in trade, all were properly revenged. If persons worked on 
holidays, or when there was a strike, or if boys offended against the juvenile bye-laws 
of a school, they were stanged. Eric, king of Norway, had to fly from the hatred of 
his people for inflicting this stigma on a celebrated Islandic bard. It was then of the 
most tremendous character. The Goths erected a nidstaeng or pole of infamy, with 
the most dire imprecations agai nst the guilty party, who was called Niding, or the 
infamous, and disqualified from giving evidence. 



* Daddyke, Belg., wavering. 
+ The root of the name is abundant all over England, and by enthusiastic antiquaries is 
hunted up to Thoth of Egypt, Tot of Ethiopia, Teut of Germany, Taute of Phoenicia, 
Zeus, Deus, Dieu, Deity. 

% Pennant's Tour through South Wales. 
§ Penes R. H. Allan esq. 



PRESENT STATE. 337 

The proper mode of enacting the stang is by bearing the offender mounted back- 
wards upon the stang, or pole. On this fickle and painful seat he was treated with huzzas 
and missiles from the children. Latterly, the culprit has been represented by a sort 
of Richard Roe, who proclaimed that he was thus treated by the populace (his John 
Doe) on account of another person, and narrated the offence, which was slyly repre- 
sented as being performed through the instrumentality of some article which bespoke 
the offender's trade, and at once marked him. 

This practice is parallel to the " riding Skimmington" in other parts of the 
country. I have witnessed the custom in the parish of Darlington once, but it ended 
in such increased cruelty to the poor victim revenged, that I verily believe she died 
from grief, and I apprehend it will never be transacted again. It had then become so 
obsolete that one great, and to the ridiculed man insulting, characteristic was forgotten, 
the demanding fourpence for degrading him ! At Stockton the custom lingers life- 
lessly. The stang itself is pretty much dispensed with all over. To atchieve the 
necessary pain, however, at Norton when the stang was ridden the reciter was put into 
a donkey cart. This was furiously pushed along at a great velocity, and brought to 
a sudden and jolting stop, and then the harangue was commenced. In Yorkshire it 
continues in full pomp. At Thirsk a succession of ridings may occupy a week, but 
then each case needed three ridings on successive nights. The poetry was changed each 
night by the leader of the stang-band, an important officer of the town indeed ; and 
the last night an effigy was burnt before the offender's door, and the spokesman then 
proceeded to him for the groat, which -was usually paid under the influence of fear or 
custom. Formerly the spokesman there was carried on a ladder on men's shoulders, 
but is now drawn in a cart. An old shoemaker once accompanied the fourpence with 
a treat of ale, which the stangrider drank greedily. It was dozed heavily with jalap. 
The magistrates decline to interfere with the old custom as long as no property is 
damaged, and in the absence of rural police they scarcely have the power to do other- 
wise. If damage did occur the spokesman was to be liable. I remember a tradesman 
losing a cause at the County Court. A powerful party of the poor were so delighted 
that they rode the stang for him. 

I have been unable to obtain a South Durham version of the stang rhymes from any 
authority 1 can depend on to furnish a truly popular and unenlarged copy, but the 
following morceau recited for a druggist at Thirsk, some twenty years ago, was obtained 
from its author the retained stangrider aforesaid : — 

Hey Derry I Hey Derry ! Hey Deny Dan ! 
It's neither for your cause, nor my cau^e 

That I ride the stang. 
"But it is for t' Peg Doctor for banging his deary, 
If you'll stay a few minutes I'll tell you all clearly. 
One night he came home with a very red face — 
I suppose he was drunk as is often the case, 
Be that as it may ; but — when he got in, 
He knocked down his wife with a new rolling pin. 
She jumped up again, and knocked off his hat, 
And he up with the pestle, and felled her quite flat. 
She ran out to the yard and shouted for life, 
And he swore he would kill her with a great gully knife. 
So all you good people that lives in this raw (row), 
I'd have you take warning, for this is our law ; 
And if any of your husbands you wives do bang, 
Come to me and my congregation, and we'll Ride the Stang! 

The poet modestly adds " The language used by the generality of those who have 
acted as spokesmen on different occasions has been such low and unmeaning stuff that 
it is not worth repeating. I by no means wish you to understand by this that I am an 
egotist, as I consider my own productions in this line, generally speaking, unpoetical, 
being usually composed on the spur of the moment, something fresh every night for 
three nights." No doubt the above is a choice specimen in its way, though it gives a 
good notion of what I used to hear, which had the addition of some truly " low stuff," 
a general chorus, I believe, to stang rhymes, and which I am glad indeed to consign to 
oblivion, as far as in me lies. The obscurity of the last line but one of the above verses 
is a masterpiece of sybillic application to either sex. 

Skepping used to be a favourite punishment among the wool combers. They would 
tear any offending brother from his wife and home, put him into a cart, cover him with 
one of their skeps or large baskets, carry him round the town with fife and drum, and 
then duck him in the Skerne right soundly. 

In the " Entertaining Repository," an old collection of 1810 or so, one Blazius com- 
municates an epistle from a Devonshire man giving an account of the northern treat of 
"a Scadding of Peas" he witnessed at Darlington. 

3h 



338 



DOMESTIC, 



" When peas begin to change their colour, 
And some are green, and some are yellow, 

You see a big — a waling pot, 

Well crammed with peas— all smoking hot ; 

Peas — swads and all — 

Swift to the purport of my story, 

To sing DARLINGTON thy Glory. 

The peas at length being done enough, 

That is, some tender, numbers tough, 

Into a Dish of course they pour 'em, 

While all stand ready to devour 'em ; 

And 'bout the centre of the dish 

Round which these amorous gluttons fish, 

Two saucers commonly are plac'd, 

And one of them with Butter's grae'd, 

The other doth some salt contain, 

When all fall too with might and main,. 

First into those they dip their swads 

Then draw them through their filthy gabs, 

When Peas and Mauks all sink together, 

One serves to qualify the other." 4 

Stangs and Scaddings are however usual enough, and really Darlington possesses few 
peculiarities of custom which may not be found and enlarged upon in Brockett's Glos- 
sary as common to various parts of the north country. I scarcely dare say much 
about them. They tempt long annotation, shewing how sword-dancing is mentioned 
by Tacitus, and whip-top by Persius and Ovid. H urworth? was the great nursery of 
the Christmas sword-dancers. Yule is still observed decently and in order, with its 
cakes, candles, and goose pies, which in truth have many good birds more than 
geese in their composition. The old rhymes " God rest you merry gentlemen," &c, 
greet one a little before this jocund time, and Christinas Eve provokes its " frumenty." 
Creed wheat is however a singularly great favourite here nearly all the year round. 
Shrill cries of " Creed wheat cakes !" awake the scholar from his sleep, albeit required 
since the midnight oil. Then too we have birth-day cakes, and funeral cakes ; pagan 
carlings for the Sunday but one before, and veal for Easter itself ; Collop Monday, and 
Pancake Tuesday, all gloriously accomplished before Ash Wednesday ; and a host of 
knead cakes and spice wigs to tea which frighten " false southrons'' from our groaning 
boards. We firmly feel that*men are " cooking animals" and are glad to make the 
most of any excuse to confirm the characteristic A " covering in supper" on building, 
or a "welcome supper" on changing, or a " farewell supper" on leaving, are all excel- 
lent things. A man cannot go out of the world with his friends fasting ; a Richmond 
testator plainly expressed his determination to " depart with meat and drink ;" and 
certainly he cannot come in so, for he floats in smoothly and comfortably, and you will 
hear many a joyful proclamation of " I am going to so and so's to wash a bairn's head 
to night." All the old superstitions of times and seasons, of first-foots on New-year's 
day and so forth, and the fire-works and bone-fires of the fifth of November, are kept 
on foot. Our houses are not thatched, and our minds are not cold. Their elder faiths 
are not idolatrous, and they do not hate the parliament, so keep we our customs and 
feastings and fires. " We are not made of wood or stone, and the things which con- 
nect themselves with our hearts and habits, cannot, like bark or lichen, be sent away 
without our missing them."* 

The Durham pronunciation has been described as " soft, but monotonous and drawl- 
ing." A plague -smitten native, I am prejudiced, but I think the observation is correct. 
The Darlington dialect partakes more of the peculiarities of Yorkshire and its English 
than of Northumberland and its Scotch or perhaps rather Danish dialect. But many 
things are in common. Broth, for instance, is always plural. " Will you have some 
broth ? — I will take a few, if they are good." Some one has observed, that we have 
here the Scotch broes, taken as in the plural. 

I now come to arts and literature — to notices of the few whose memories will live 
when the tombstone is broken and their friends departed. If in this respect, we have 
not giants, still we have in numbers and fair merit above the average of a country 
town's productions. 

Henry Heavisides will be perhaps associated with Stockton ; but he was born at 
Darlington in 1791. He there received a tolerable education, and was apprenticed to 
his father, who was for many years a respectable printer and bookseller here. The 
latter was however unfortunate in trade, and was obliged, from ill health and a dis- 



* Guy Mannering. 



LITERATURE. 339 

position totally unfit to battle with his difficulties, to retire from it altogether. Henry 
had nearly finished his term, and was left to make his way as a journeyman printer. 
He wandered about and at last settled in Stockton, where he still resides, the honoured 
author of the " Pleasures of Home and other Poems," published in 1837. They are 
graceful earnest efforts, the production of the evening hours of a laborious printer, 
His gifted son, Edward Marsh Heavisides, produced under similar avocations in 
1845, his "Songs of the heart.'* These and very abundant and graphic sketches in 
prose and verse gave great promise of future excellence ; but he died in 1849, at the 
early age of 28. His works were collected into a posthumous volume for the benefit 
of his family. 

Thomas Eastoe Abbott is another of our local bards. Born at East Dereham, in 
Norfolk, he passed the best of his days in the inland revenue department, and having 
been ten years an officer, and nearly twenty in the rank of supervisor, retired to repose 
for the evening of life. In the soft glades of Skerne, among those garden bowers, he 
pitched his snug tent and named it Rose Villa. 

Of the following his principal works, all save the two last were written in Yorkshire, 
and that they were favourably received may be gathered from the fact that to the 
" Soldier's Friend" there were about 400 subscribers, comprising several noblemen, 
together with many of the clergy and magistracy of Yorkshire. By the way, this is a 
desirable book to have were it but for its beautiful miniature of the Duke of York 
commemorated therein, and its valuable notes and illustrations communicated to the 
author by Sir Herbert Taylor, the Rev. Dr. Dakins, and others. A large, paper copy of 
this work was presented to His Majesty George IV. by the present Bishop of Winches- 
ter. Mr. Abbott's poems are written with great simplicity of language, full of genuine 
patriotism and Christianity ; some of them much resembling in style that of Words- 
worth. The principal works alluded to were these. " Peace" a lyric poem dedicated to the 
mayor of Hull, London, 1814. " Resignation," a poem on the death of H. R. H. the 
Princess Charlotte of Wales, Hull, 1817. " The Triumph of Christianity, a missionary 
poem; Commerce; and other Poems," dedicated to William Wilberforce, esq., M.P., 
London, 1819. " The Soldiers Friend," a poem to the memory of H. R. H. the late 
Duke of York, dedicated to Major General the late Lord Macdonald, London, 1828. 
" Lines on Education and Religion," printed at Darlington for Trinity Church Bazaar, 
1839. 

Mr. Abbott has published other smaller poems. He had moreover printed a very 
useful tract (Durham, 1845), containing the " Charter of the Royal Free Grammar 
School,'' with notes and an address to the inhabitants, for gratuitous circulation. This 
I have found of considerable service. It is levelled at that detestable abuse in the free 
grammar schools of England, the restriction of the word " grammar" to the meaning 
" dead languages." The word " free" is now, I believe, often omitted in the style em- 
ployed in the title of the Darlington school, contrarily to the charter. Mr. Abbott was 
one of the wardens who removed Mr. Wray (see p. 259), and, for several years after 
that removal, the scholars were freely admitted to general instruction. For this and 
various other public duties Mr. Abbott has deserved well of his adopted town. 

Thomas Watson is a southron by birth, the son of an auctioneer, himself an 
auctioneer of renown at Darlington, who lightens each dull hand-bill with scientific 
and romantic allusions. He was born in London, and removed in childhood to the 
New Forest, where he remained some years and nearly up to the time of his entering 
business. He came to Darlington about 1832, and in 1835 or 1836 he published a 
poem of about thirty stanzas entitled " The Mameluke." I believe he was a grocer at 
Darlington, but when he published his " Ruin and other Poems" (1840), he had become 
a commercial traveller. " The Ruin" is written in those too facile eights, and slides 
smoothly away. All Mr. Watson's poems are musical in excess, very pleasant to such 
as the writer, who reads poetry for its lightsomeness, as a change from arid lore. They 
may lack reflection and weighty moral, they may not have all their ornaments in 
keeping, and their luxuriousness of description may exceed bounds, and be as the 
leaves of summer to the feathered burstings of spring ; but never mind, they are very 
sweet : and Tom Watson is a true man, attending to his own business, save when he 
helps some goodly cause or greets a well known friend. 

Then there is a lady who has employed the Darlington press, Miss E. Colling, of 
Hurworth, who printed at Mr. G. Harrison's press a few years ago, " The Rival Sisters," 
" Ode to Care," " Ode to The Elements," &c. These are dead-weight subjects to 
choose, but I have been told, (for I never saw the books, which are privately circulated), 
that they possess considerable delicacy and nervous boldness of composition. 

Joseph Sams of this town, is an eminent bookseller, possessing probably one of the 
most extensive collections of Biblical, classical and other scarce, and important works 
in this country. Amongst them are many valuable editiones principes of the classics, 
which my readers will scarcely need to be reminded, rank next to MSS. as evidences of 



340 



DOMESTIC. 



unadulterated text and readings. As alterations creep into later editions, these firstlings 
of the press are naturally much sought after, and bring high prices. 

This gentleman is a remarkable character ; and has not only visited the chief 
countries and cities of Europe, but has also travelled extensively in eastern climes, as in 
Egypt, Arabia, Syria, Palestine, Asia Minor, &c. His journies, in different years, were 
undertaken partly from the general motives which induce men to examine foreign 
countries and as promotive of health, and partly to amass Biblical and classical manu- 
scripts, and rare early printed books. So successful was the search, that when the late 
Duke of Sussex was in the north, he bought of Mr Sams, at one purchase, to the value 
of upwards of 400£., and from a catalogue, two years after, he ordered above 1001. worth. 
I one heard in a call I made, that the pecuniary preparations for these journies in 
foreign lands, was the circular 201. notes of Hemes and Co , of St. James's Street, 
London, of use only to the taker who has signed a letter which he carries with him. 
As one changed is about 25 gold Napoleons, it was hazardous to have so much on the 
the person in dangerous parts, such as Spain ; so a screw ferrule was contrived at the 
bottom of a walking stick, to contain the 25 pieces. This mode did not answer in the 
east, Napoleons being scarcely known there. Mr S. traversed Egypt from end to end, 
visited the pyramids, and was above the great Cataracts of the Nile, in Nubia, the 
Ethiopia of the Scriptures. He afterwards traced much of the route of the Israelites in 
their way from Egypt to Canaan, visiting Mounts Horeb and Sinai, and surveying 
Jerusalem. 

The traveller was in the habit of taking on these occasions, to endeavour to circulate, 
religious tracts and books. He supplied himself at Malta with volumes of Holy Scrip- 
ture. Of tracts he was partial to " Allen's Importance of Religion," and took out 
copies in Italian, and in Arabic, the vernacular language of Palestine, Egypt * &c. 
He was presented at Alexandria to the noted Mohammed Ali, by our consul-general. 
Previously to the presentation, he communicated to the consul his wish to request the 
Pasha's acceptance of one of the volumes of Scripture. This the consul rather 
discouraged, fearing, as did several German missionaries, sent by the London Missionary 
Society, that the gift would not be well received, and might tend to block up their way. 
However, Mr S. still wishing to take the book, said that if he saw the way open, he 
would present it, but if not, he would bring it away, with this the consul was satisfied. 
The Pasha was sitting, crosslegged, on rich cushions that went round the beautiful 
eastern room, smoking his chibouk. The great officers of state stood around. The 
strangers were received with kindness, and requested to sit, which they did, near to the 
Pasha, who after refreshment had been handed, entered into conversation with, and 
asked questions of Mr S. about England, &c, and told him his own native place was 
near to Salonica, the ancient Thessalonica, and became cordial and familiar. Mr S. 
thought the way was open, and producing the volume (which he had taken care to have 
in a superior binding) requested the acceptance of it as a collection of sacred books. 
The Pasha accepted it with great complacency, read in it a while, and thanked the 
donor for his attention. 

The missionaries, who were in an outer room, seemed delighted, and welcomed the 
stranger by warm shakes of the hand and congratulations. Mr Sams was afterwards 
applied to by an officer, who it is thought was present, and who begged to know if he 
could kindly supply Mm with a copy of what he had presented to his highness Thus 
was another copy, it appeared, well placed. Mr S. took some copies also to the 
Egyptian Thebes, and he gave two to the ancient convent at the foot of Mount Sinai. 
These perhaps were the first printed copies of Scripture placed thus in Egypt and at 
Sinai. 

A journal was kept by Mr Sams but has not been published. His publication is con- 
fined at present to a folio volume of accurate plates, finely coloured, with short descrip- 
tions, entitled " Objects of Antiquity, forming part of the extensive and rich collections 
from Ancient Egypt, brought to England by J. Sams." This beautiful work, issued in 
1843, is however of a very limited impression, and will always be very rare. The Egyp- 
tian collections of its author are singularly extensive, and considered amongst the most 
important that have entered England. I shall briefly enumerate a few of the objects. 
Two massive ear- rings of gold, circular, but broad and fluted, each weighing nearly 
half an ounce. An extraordinary signet, wholly of gold ; it turns on a swivel, and 
contains in a royal cartouche, the name of one of the most ancient Pharaohs, under 
whom according to some historians, Joseph governed. Mr Sams has refused 100£. for 
this relic several times, not wishing to separate any important object. A signet of 
another Pharoah was found some five or six years ago, for which a physician resident in 
Egypt, is asking 300/. In the collections are two other gold seals set with engraved 
stones. A sarcophagus of marble, smaller than Belzoni's, but having its cover, and a 

rr Turkish is the court language of Egypt. 



LITERATURE. 



341 



mummy in fine tact. Belzoni's wanted the cover. A table of oriental alabaster with 
its stand turned out of one solid block. An inkstand with chain to attach a case, all 
of bronze ; the case still retaining an ancient pen of reed, for writing on papyrus. 
Double vases, attached like the Siamese twins. A vase of glass, variegated in several 
colours. Adjuncts for the lady's toilette, with several divisions, to contain different 
powders for painting the person, and a style for laying them on. An entire chain of 
gold. We read that Pharaoh, particularly to honour Joseph, besides using other adorn- 
ment, " put a chain of gold about his neck." A collection of ten MSS. on fine linen of 
Egypt. A book of papyrus, written in the ancient Coptic, and a number of papyri in 
the hieroglyphic, and other languages. The collection consists of upwards of 2,200 
objects, many of which are judged to be unique. There is a much larger enumeration 
of these highly interesting collections (illustrated with plates) in the Gentleman's 
Magazine for April, 1833. I say nothing of their age ; it is no doubt extreme ; but I 
never dived deeply into the abyss of dynasties. These collections, as well as large 
series of ancient Greek and Etruscan vases, and Roman and Greek medals, and coins, 
and a very splendid mass of ancient biblical and illuminated MSS., Mr. Sams preserves 
in London, (56, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields.) 

At Darlington, however, the establishment well merits a visit. The stock of books is 
not in so exact order since a removal from Prospect Place ; but its extent and rarity are 
very striking. Some idea of its contents will be derived from the proprietor's large 
catalogue, which in three parts extends to 720 octavo pages. These, and some later 
catalogues, possess a permanent interest, in the valuable notes, abundant in them, and 
for the scarcity of the items, which include many of the earliest and rarest editions of 
the Holy Scriptures and some Caxtons. 

Mr. Sams's home is Darlington ; but he is necessitated to be often, and for some time, 
in the metropolis. 

The air of Darlington has not been favourable to the fine arts ; and as far as 
numbers go, the list of painters is miserable enough. The ban extends to importations, 
for when the south side of Messrs. Pease's mill was accessible, and Carmichael had 
planted himself near the wheel to take a sketch of church and bridge, down came 
a torrent of anything but simple water on his head through the artless device of the 
mill girls. The artist eschewed Darlington for ever ; and when he wanted a view from 
the Bank Top, for publication, he got Mr. Bewick to make it. 

Samuel Wilkinson, our early draughtsman, is mentioned in page 299. In later 
times James Atkinson, a young house-painter, the son of a woolcomber, painted 
portraits, strong likenesses, and at London published a series of letters on art, addressed 
to Barry. A gentleman found him the means to become a surgeon, and secured him a 
post in India, where by the aid of his taste for the higher accomplishments in life he 
pushed his fortune, and sent over to his aged parents 200£ a year for their lives. 

Edward Robson, the amiable and accom- 
plished botanist, was fond of landscape paint- 
ing, in both oil and water-colours, and used to 
rise by four o'clock to gratify his taste, which 
was, as we shall see in Bewick's case, much 
repressed at the time, as a useless acquisition 
to the business of life. 

I might perhaps mention George Mark, 
who, besides being a sign-painter, bookbinder, 
bird-stuffer, herbalist, engraver, historian, and 
antiquary, painted landscapes and transpa- 
rencies. He possessed a smattering of Latin, 
Greek, Hebrew, and French ; which with a 
thorough knowledge of his own language was 
of ample use to him in his profession of 
politician — on the side of liberty and freedom 
of course. His " studio" was unique, and 
might lead to the impression that he was an 
astrologer, and in full pursuit of the philoso- 
pher's stone, to boot. 

We come to more certain ground in 
Bewick. 




DOMESTIC. 




William Bewick, son of William and Jane Bewick, was born at Darlington, Oct. 
20, 1795. His grandfather, William Bewick, a native of Hedley-fell-house, par. Ryton, 
co. of Durham, engraved large figures on wood ; and his cut of a Highlander, 10 inches 
long, is said to have displayed considerable skill. Thomas Bewick, the wood-engraver, 
arose at Cherryburn, in the same neighbourhood ; and the numerous races of the name 
scattered in that country are understood to be of one stock. If we may believe a 
dolorous ballad, in Scott's Border Minstrelsy, wherein Sir Robert Bewick and the Laird 
of Graham having quarrelled about the merits of their sons, hurried the young 
men to an. untimely end, a buke would have been as good a pun a buck* for the Bewick 
crest, for old Bewick urges in argument : — " Nay, were thy son as good as mine, and 
of some books he could but read — they might have been called two bold brethren," &c. 
At the Eglinton tournament our artist was sitting close to his friends Sir Wm. Allan, 
and Franklin (of Chevy chase eminence). To the great amusement of the company, 
the jester on recognising him stopped his horse, pointed his bauble, and menacingly 
quoted the old ballad just mentioned : — 

" hauld thy tongue now, Billie Bewick, 
And of thy talking let me be ! 
But if thou'rt a man, as I'm sure thou art, 
Come o'er the dyke, and fight wi' me. 

The youth of William Bewick was similar to that of many men of talent. He was 
of delicate health and tender affections. At a local school, kept by a quaker, he 
preferred the concocting of a camera obscura, a profile machine, a machine which had 
perpetual motion for a few days, and such trifles ; while a lump of chalk, and after- 
wards a pencil, were equally busy in their own line. 



" I use the word in its Saxon sense. Bitcca, a he-goat. 



PAINTERS.— BEWICK 343 

He followed his father's business (an upholsterer) until the age of nearly 20 ; but his 
artistic aspirations were high, he wrote of " the horror he had for portrait painting — 
for the drudgery and prostitution of his noble art to the gratification of personal 
vanity, and the sordid gain of money to the artist." He grew very unhappy, he longed 
for the means of studying historical art, and with 20/., raised by the sale of some of 
his drawings, left home for London. Some felt sympathy with his views ; but many 
persuaded his father that they were visionary and frivolous, and thus created a prejudice 
which prevented any paternal communication for nine months after his arrival in the 
metropolis. 

By chance he met an exhibitor of statues in the King's Mews, who could give a 
ticket to draw from the Elgin marbles then at Burlington House. Pleased with 
Bewick's oil paintings, he presented him with the ticket. The lonely and nervous 
stranger took his seat in the shed containing the sculptures, before practised eyes and 
eminent professors. But he was noticed by Haydon, then the rising star, who invited 
him to his house. A sympathy was sprung, Bewick became Haydon's avowed pupil. 
The master soon finding his scholar's real position — that he was all but a runaway, 
and that his means were indeed scanty, wrote letters of conciliation to the father, and 
endeavoured to continue the interest of Bewick's early patrons. To Lady Chaytor and 
her mother Mrs. Garter, he did not appeal in vain. They made great exertions in his 
favour, and substantial assistance was rendered. The Royal Academy and Sir Charles 
Bell's dissecting rooms soon received Bewick. But his incessant labour from six in the 
morning to twelve at night, accompanied by severe privations, soon brought him down 
to his native air, and his friends now received him with joy and approbation. His 
anatomical efforts were here confined to the dissection of smaller animals, but 
falling in with a donkey of extraordinary beauty, his study of it was transferred to 
Haydon's picture of Christ riding into Jerusalem. The Elgin marbles were now 
removed to the museum, and on Bewick's return to London he executed some full-sized 
studies. On the exhibition of these in the museum, West came and delivered an 
address to the students present, eulogizing the drawings and course of study. They 
indeed excited much interest, and were purchased by Wm Hamilton, esq. 

In the midst of heavy expenses and pecuniary shortcomings, an eminent painter 
visited Bewick, kindly encouraged him, and on hurriedly parting had passed a crushed 
piece of paper into the young artist's hand — a bank note. At Haydon's house where 
he attended every evening to read and write for his master, whose eyes were affected for 
two or three years, he met Sir David Wilkie, Hazlitt, Keats, Horace Smith, John Scott, 
Wordsworth, Miss Mitford, Belzoni, Sir William Allan, Hugo Foscolo, Sir Charles 
Bell, &c. The most spirited conversations on art were between Wilkie, Haydon, and 
Hazlitt, the latter urging on an argument, for he used to say to Bewick that he never 
or rarely could get Haydon to talk about art. I have been told by Mr. Bewick that 
Wilkie was hesitating and obstinate, with a strong smack of the Scotch accent when 
excited, and dry and cautious : Haydon was fluent, powerful, and firm, with gentlemanly 
deference and attention to every opinion, trying to convince by illustrated facts : whilst 
Hazlitt kept the ball rolling by excited appeals and invective. His was a spontaneous 
eloquence, as extraordinary as it was nervous and to the point. He would lead Haydon 
off to indulge him with imitations of the conversations on art by Fuzeli and Northcote, 
giving Fuzeli's foreign and Northcote's Devonshire peculiarities. Hazlitt enjoyed the 
home of Haydon, his enthusiasm, his hearty laugh, and open manner. There he would 
read his rough drafts and observe their impression. Sometimes he tried the effect 
before committing to paper. Rising from his seat, he would pour out a flood of 
impassioned language, with streams of indignation, sympathy, or tenderness, that 
equally affected his sensitive hearers. With this effect he was satisfied, and " went to 
press." Bewick used to visit Hazlitt when he resided at Milton's house in Westminster. 
In an ancient wainscotted room the two looked out between two large trees that crossed 
the windows into some ornamental ground with fine old trees in it. Hazlitt would 
point to an old gentleman often walking there, of rather eccentric appearance, and 
loose habiliments, and would say, " That, sir, is the famous Jeremy Bentham."* 

Bewick now, by order through the German consul, executed a large cartoon of some 
of the figures in the Elgin marbles for the poet Goethe, to give the German men of 
taste an idea of the sculptures. The poet expressed their approval, and stated that his 
sovereign, to whom he had presented the work, had ordered it to be placed in the Royal 
Academy of Arts, and would be pleased to know whenever the artist should visit his 

* " On leaving Whitehall, in 1652, Milton removed to a house in Petty France (now 
Queen Square Place, Westminster) the very same that Jeremy Bentham lived in for so 
many years, and at his death left to his friend and executor^Dr. Bowring. A friend of 
ours who had occasion when a boy to see Bentham in his garden, remembers the 
enthusiasm with which the philosopher spoke of the poet's walking in the same place." — 
Knight in " Old England." An error. Bentham let Milton's house. 



su 



DOMESTIC. 



kingdom that attention might be paid to- him. In company with his friends the 
Landseers he next made full-sized drawings from Raphael's cartoons which were pub- 
licly exhibited with great success. He also commenced painting from life. An original 
composition from the " Faery Queen'' was painted for Sir John Leicester. And now a 
friendship was contracted with James Bandinell, esq., of the foreign office, which 
subsisted up to Mr. Bandinell's melancholy decease at the Salisbury meeting of the 
Archaeological Institute in 1849; He had procured a head painted by Mr. Bewick at 
Darlington, and both Wilkie and Calcott mistook it for a Murillo ! 

Again worn health compelled repair to the country, but a picture was there painted of 
the kyloe heifer for Mr. Hilton Middleton, of Archdeacon Newton, (" High-priced Hil- 
ton,") which was engraved by Turner, A. R. A. " Jacob meeting Rachel," 10 feet by 7, 
was painted and exhibited at London on the artist's return, and afterwards in an exhi- 
bition of his works at Darlington, in 1822, the first attempt of the kind here. Haydon 
spoke very highly of the picture just alluded to, and of that of Una (the one purchased 
by Sir J. Leicester). His opinions were printed in what is now a rare and curious 
descriptive catalogue of this exhibition.* The figure of Rachel comprehended one of 
those evanescent expressions which belong to unripened innocence, so difficult to por- 
tray, and both pictures bore out Keat's opinion that Bewick ■'* would do some of the 
tenderest things in art." A subscription was commenced to commission Bewick to 
paint an altar piece for Darlington church, and one subscription was a " fatted ox," 
which was proposed to be brought to Darlington market decorated with ribbons and 
attended by music, and sold whole or in joints at a high price. The resident curate, 
Mr. Atkinson, considered the picture to come under the description of " a picture or 
image to excite idolatrous worship,'''' and notwithstanding the arguments of the Rev. 
James Thornhill, who came expressly from Raby to reason with him, he succeeded in 
bottling the scheme. 

Another subject from scripture exhausted the young painter's resources midway. 
He retreated tc the country to renew them by undertaking small orders or portraits, 
but on arriving at Darlington, a professed friend advised the completion of his great 
work, and promised the loan of 200£. for the purpose. Some weeks passed over in 
London in anticipation of the advent of this sum. Haydon was overwhelmed by 
calamities : and his pupil was again compelled to leave his great work then far 
advanced to completion, by the last suffering — the deprivation of the common neces- 
saries of life, not to mention the despair of mind occasioned by the lack of the promised 
sum or any part of it. Not even an explanation of its nonarrival was ever conceded. 
A trifle borrowed from a friend secured a passage to Edinburgh, where Bewick was 
received in the most handsome manner by Sir William Allan, (who had seen " Jacob 
and Rachel" on the easel,) Nasmyth, Williams, Thompson of Duddington, Simson, and 
Andrew Wilson, and he found himself moving among the first artists and most distin- 
guished society. Bewick formed at Edinburgh an anatomical drawing class, and there 
Liston studied for the purpose of obtaining that precision of hand in operations for 
which he became so distinguished. Our artist also began his very valuable life-sized 
memorials of the eminent men he has met with. Captain Basil Hall, with Sir James 
Hall, his father ; Lord Eldin, Sir John Sinclair, Sir David Brewster, Lord Jeffrey, 
Dr. Greville, Professor Wilson (author of the Isle of Palms, &c), Geo. Thomson 
(the friend and correspondent of Burns), Mrs. Grant of Laggan, Allison (the author 
of the " Essay on Taste"), Dr. Jamieson the lexicographer, Mackenzie (" Man of 
Feeling"), Combe the phrenologist, M'cCulloch the political economist, Liston the 
surgeon, Williams, Nasmyth, Wilson, and Allan, the artists, were among the number. 
I am particular in my enumeration of these heads, because it is desirable to know the 
locality of portraits. At Glasgow he made an exhibition of his works, and obtained 
the heads of Hooker the botanist, Professor Thompson the chemist, M'c Cree the 
biographer of Knox, Lord A. Hamilton, James Sheridan Knowles, &c. He had once 
painted a portrait of Birkbeck, the founder of mechanics' institutions, for his first 
institution, that of Glasgow, and now the artist having been requested to be present 
at one of its meetings, the deputation that had waited upon him in London, introduced 
him, when the whole mass of heads rose and cheered the painter who was lifted off his 
feet upon the lecture-table that all might see, and the names of Bewick and Birkbeck 
resounded through the hall. 

Dublin next received the Darlington runaway. Here he again frequently met with 
Knowles; and at the table of Sir Arthur Clarke, Curran, like the artist, had an invita- 
tion whenever disengaged. Bewick added to his portfolio the portraits of Lady Olivia 
Clarke, her sister Lady Morgan, Chief Justice Bushe, the facetious Lord Norbury the 
" hanging judge," O'Connell, Curran, Shiel, Carmichael the eminent military surgeon, 
&c. At the appointed hour for drawing Maturin, he found him pacing his drawing- 



See Newcastle Magazine, 1822. 



PAINTERS— BEWICK. 345 

room, in full dress costume ; with new black curled wig, stiff cravat and collar up to 
his eyes ; his pale cheeks rouged to excess ; and an elegantly bound book, placed upon 
a cambric pocket handkerchief, edged with lace, and strongly perfumed, resting on both 
hands. And this was the caricature of that " extraordinary creature," who should have 
been in his dark and gloomy study lighted by its skylight" of a single pane, the walls 
dingy and black, with the wafer stuck on his forehead as a sign that no sound might 
interrupt his wild strain of terrors, and he writing " Melmoth/' The painter, alive to 
the man, of course threw aside all the dress-toilet and rouge, and so succeeded that 
Sir Walter Scott, when he first saw this portrait of his unseen correspondent, exclaimed, 
" Bless me ! the very man I had pictured in my imagination !" and begged a copy, 
which he acknowledged as being very acceptable. A higher compliment was a letter 
received during a stay at Abbotsford : — 

" York Street, Dublin, Nov. 14, 1824. 

" My dear sir. — I have a request to make which under existing circumstances I am 
sure you will not refuse. When you were last in Dublin, you took the most striking 
likeness of Mr. Maturin I ever beheld. As the original then lived, I had no desire for 
the copy ; but now that he is in the grave, I will esteem it an everlasting favour if you 
will let me have it, and if this is not convenient, a copy. I would not so far trespass 
on you, but that I know not any one except yourself who ever took a faithful likeness 
of Mr. Maturin. Believe me, my dear sir, most sincerely yours, Henrietta Maturin. 
To Bewick, esq/' 

This letter was handed to Sir Walter Scott, at breakfast, who said with inexpressible 
tenderness, the tears coming to his eyes : " Poor Mr. Maturin then is no more ! Well, 
sir, what do you say 1 — you can do no less than send a copy of your beautiful drawing, 
although it is not expected you can part with the original ?" The copy was recently 
noticed in Jerrold's Magazine as in the possession of the family, and as possessing 
extraordinary character. 

On the occasion of Hazlitt's marriage, he came to Melrose, and Knowles and Bewick 
met him there. Then it was that the latter made the drawing which has been engraved 
in Hazlitt's Remains, and called forth the following sonnet by Knowles. 

" Thus Hazlitt looked ! There's life in every line ! 

Soul — language — fire that colours could not give ; 
See ! on that brow how pale-robed thought divine 

In an embodied radiance seems to live ! 
Ah ! in the gaze of that entranced eye, 

Humid, yet burning, there beams passion's flame, 

Lighting the cheek, and quivering through the frame ; 
While, on the lips, the odour of a sigh 

Yet hovers fondly, and its shadow sits 
Beneath the channel of the glowing thought 

And fire-clothed eloquence, which comes in fits 
Like Pythiac inspiration ! — Bewick, taught 

By thee, in vain doth slander's venom'd dart 
Do its foul work 'gainst Mm. This head must own a heart." 

Bewick then visited Sir Walter Scott at Abbotsford for a few days, and made a copy 
of the head of Mary Queen of Scots, painted by Anias Cawood at Fotheringay, which 
represents the head of the Queen in a silver salver covered with black crape. Sir 
Walter Scott told Air. Bewick that the body of the Queen was locked up in a room at 
Fotheringay for three days after the execution, and it was supposed that the painter 
made the picture during that time. The following correspondence throws some further 
mystery into the subject : — 

" 39, Castle Street, 16 May, 1824. — Dear sir. — I have pleasure in affording you all the 
information I possess concerning the picture, but it is not much. Mr. Bullock, the 
naturalist, brought me a message from a gentleman then going abroad, and disposing of 
a collection of pictures, expressing a wish that I should be possessed of this one, either by 
gift or purchase, naming a moderate price, (10^., I think, but am not certain,) if I pre- 
ferred the latter arrangement. He stated that the gentleman who had so kindly thought 
upon me had received the picture in a present from a friend in Prussia, and therefore 
did not wish to expose it to public sale. This is all 1 know of it. I have forgotten 
even the name of the former proprietor, but I have it written down somewhere. I am 
happy to have had an opportunity of gratifying your curiosity, which will not however 
be altogether gratis, for I am afraid the ladies will hold you but a perjured person 
unless you favour them with a copy of the sketch of Abbotsford which you had the 
goodness to promise them, and which will find us here if sent by any of the coaches. 
I will be happy to see you if you will call as you pass through Edinburgh ; being, dear 
sir, your most obdt. servant, Walter Scott. To Mr. Bewick, 110, George Street, 
Glasgow." 

3i 



346 DOMESTIC. 

" Durham, Sept. 12, 1832. — Dear sir, — I received from the hands of Mr. Balmer (the 
painter) your elegant drawing of Queen Mary's head. It will be interesting to you to 
read the following extract of a letter from Miss Scott of Abbotsford, in reference to the 
painting from which your first drawing was made. The letter is addressed to Mrs. 
Surtees of Mainsforth, who was so good as to write to Miss Scott, to inquire the history 
of the painting. — ' You ask me about Mary Queen of Scots' picture. It was copied by 
Mr. Bewick, and is thought an original. It was bought in Germany, not by papa, 
but by a very strange old man, who wished to give it to papa, thinking it of great 
value. This papa refused. He then offered to sell it, and named forty or fifty guineas, 
as he always said no one else should have it but him. All the artists admire the 
picture very much. This is all I remember about it.' — Letter written in Sir W. Scott's 
room darkened on account of his illness, and during attendance upon him. Your 
faithful humble servant, Edwd. Shipperdson. — To W. Bewick, esq." 

At a second and more lengthened visit to Abbotsford, Wilkie, Lockhart, Sir John 
Malcolm, Lord Minto, and other distinguished guests were also there. Sir AValter Scott 
sat to Wilkie and Bewick at the same time, the former commencing a painting, the 
latter a drawing of him. The portfolio also received a finished drawing of Sir John 
Malcolm. Malcolm used to tell original and long Persian stories, divided into " miles." 
So many miles occupied an evening until bed time . The company gathered from all 
parts of the house to hear these Persian Nights Entertainments. The story-teller sat 
as a listener, absorbed in the plot, anticipating the denouement — nudging and laughing 
and rubbing his hands in the fullness of glee. Sir John had his own ideas of his 
auditor. He told Mr. Bewick that he had contrived to be in every room — there was 
every kind of book, but not a VVaverley Novel in the house. This fact had satisfied 
his mind as to who was the " great unknown." 

Hogg treated Bewick with the sport of spearing salmon, in the Yarrow ; and the 
latter drew the poet in his plaid. Hogg wrote his autograph at the foot and presented 
the artist with the first draft of his " Camerons Welcome Hame." 

Bewick was soon the guest of Mr. Graham among the lakes at Gartmore, and made a 
copy of a Rembrandt (purchased for 4,000/). The person who had sold the original obtained 
a loan of the copy, but an application for its return produced the cool information that 
" he would never see it again, for he (the borrower) had always regretted parting with 
the original, and this copy was the only reconciliation to its loss, for it was as nearly 
equal as possible." Bewick was requested to name his price, and he got it there and 
then ; but never saw his picture again. 

The success of this copy reached Glasgow before Bewick, and he was there requested 
on account of a wag^r, to make a facsimile of the sketch in the College of the Univer- 
sity, the dispute being about the vehicle that Rembrandt used. Bewick used, as he was 
requested to do, one simple material for the purpose. Having progressed nearly to 
completion he placed his copy in the frame, and the original upon his easel, to compare 
the effect the frame made. Whilst contemplating the two, some of the Professors of 
the college stopped to see "how he was getting on with his copy," and, taking the 
original for it, they thought it "exceedingly well, and very like the original." The 
anecdote passed to the disputants, and settled the wager. The copy afterwards deceived 
a great judge of Rembrandt's works in London, who offered to purchase it as genuine, 
but the artist assured him it was only a copy. 

Scotland, at a crisis, had been a great boon to Bewick ; but there his income barely 
covered his expenditure ; and he returned to Darlington and painted several landscapes 
for different parties, to enable him to see the works of the Italian schools. Sir Thomas 
Lawrence became aware of his intention, and offered him 100 guineas for a large copy 
of Michael Angelo's Delphic Sybil in the Sistine chapel. He bounded to the realisation 
of early hopes, waited on Lawrence, and increased his commissions. At Florence, he 
met with Walter Savage Landor, pnd made a highly finished drawing of him. Gibson, 
Eastlake, Severn, Wyatt, and Campbell, who had heard of his London exhibitions, 
received him gladly at Rome. He erected a scaffolding 60 feet high in the Sistine 
chapel, and at great risk to his health, and chance of being overpowered by malaria 
and falling from the top, he commenced his work. Close to the original, he first made 
a careful study of detail, half size, in chalk and colour, producing the exact effect of 
the fresco, and made use of this for the minutiae of the large copy, which was executed 
on an easel on the floor of the chapel. Sir Thomas next wanted a copy of " Jeremiah 
lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem," in the same chapel, which was in like manner 
finished. The two subjects were highly approved by their owner and the artists on 
their arrival in England, and an order was sent by Lawrence for the whole series of 
prophets and sybils in the chapel. These he intended as a present to the academy as .a 
pendant to Raphael's Cartoons, and as a memento of his presidency. 

Four large copies in oil, and the whole of the studies of detail, were completed when 
Lawrence suddenly died. Mr. Bewick had to return to look after his interests, and 



PAINTERS. 347 

came to an arrangement with the President's executor. He then came to the north, 

})ainted portraits and fancy pictures by the hundred, and with ready pencil hut wasted 
lealth he soon was enabled to retire from the profession of painting. And he now lives 
at Haughton-le-Skerne, his house and gallery being full of examples of the noble art to 
which he was devoted. In concluding this memoir, I have to thank him for being at 
the trouble to copy a mass of correspondence* at my request, for the purpose of filling 
up the gaps I found in the notices by the periodicals of the day. Still more for suffer- 
ing much viva voce inquisition. Curious are the vicissitudes of such a life. One time 
Bewick was in London, literally without a crust of bread and studying night and day ; 
at another, as when at Abbotsford, Edinburgh, and Dublin, cheek by jowl with the 
first of the land — again, in Rome, sipping his tea with the elegant Queen Hortense, 
the most accomplished woman in Europe, and Prince Louis Napoleon her son, at her 
select evenings, not to speak of all the fashionable society of the eternal city. 

I must in parting from my subject express my best acknowledgment for the handsome 
manner in which Mrs. Bewick has gratified my wish to preserve the early appearance 
of her husband, by presenting the admirable engraving which stands at the head of this 
memoir. It was executed by Smyth, from a spirited crayon sketch thrown from the 
gifted hand of Charles Landseer, Esq., and now in the possession of J. C. Quelch, Esq. 
There are at the present time two landscape painters resident in Darlington — James 
Peel, and Thomas Thorpe, (a pupil of Carmichael) — both clever artists. The only 
native of the town now pursuing the arts, I think, is Mr. Dobbing, who served his time 
with Mr. Spencer as a cabinet-maker. He draws in water colour, and exhibits and 
teaches drawing in London. Clement Burlison, of Durham, whose works have been 
much noticed, is connected with the town by apprenticeship, and here his taste for art 
was first manifested in a practical way. Among his works, two of the most publicly 
known are portraits. One of Sir Robert Peel, painted as a memorial to that great man, 
and now in the New Town Hall, Durham. The other of that learned and accomplished 
scholar and antiquary, the Rev. James Raine, M.A., Rector of Meldon. Excellent, 
because it is faithful ; it appears from the burin of W.. Walker, London, in the highest 
finish, at the expence of R. H. Allan, Esq., prefixed to Mr. Raine's admirable History 
of North Durham. All these aspirants will doubtless some day have passed through 
that romance of art which distinguishes the memories of painters from those of ordinary 
men. 

It may be expected that I should not leave this division withot taking 
notice of my pioneers, but really they are very scanty. First comes George 
Allan's commencement of " Historical Collections relating to the Town of 
Darlington," of which he tired after he had printed a few pages.-f- Then 
Cade's tract mentioned in p. 35, the description of Darlington in which is 
good as far as it goes. Next paces in the uncompromising Hutchinson who 
had undertaken the arduous task of compressing Allan's collections into 
three library quartos. It is such a comfortable reflection that his noble 

* The following remarks by Lawrence must be interesting : — " What can I say to you 
respecting the wishes of the Queen Hortense ; and the opinion which she has done me the 
honour to request from me ? The government — the directors of the National Gallery 
acting under its influence, have for the present ceas'd to purchase pictures, and I know of 
no private collector who would go to great extent of price for even a known fine picture. 
With regard particularly to Corregio, there is no purchasing works, stated to be by him, 
but after actual inspection. Testimonials — attestations — seals of academies, are often 
nothing, the moment the work is seen. A very early production actually by Corregio, 
may, from its exceeding incorrectness, be very indifferent ; and his later pictures may, as 
you know from his finished style, be very skilfully copied. A true picture from the 
Marischalchi collection, was a year or two since sold to Mr. Baring, but still it was so 
unpleasing a work that I could not have recommended it. You must then, with my 
humble respects to the Queen, state these difficulties, which in honour I feel myself bound 
to mention, and pray make what apologies you can for my too long silence on the subject. 
The English character is well received abroad when it is well represented, and 1 have 
been pleased to hear that you are noticed in society by the accomplished, the fascinating, 
and the great. On firm minds, there can be only favourable influence from such associa- 
tion, and those of higher rank than ourselves feel always justified in their attentions when 
they see that they do not interfere with the independent pursuit of our profession, that 
earnest of future permanent comfort"— Addressed to Bewick. 

+ See p. xvi.j hereafter. 



348 



DOMESTIC. 



book which still stands unrivalled in its collections of the legal and Eoman 
antiquities of the county, should fairly proceed from this parish that I make 
no apology for adding to my remarks in pp. xvi and xx, hereafter, what 
Mr. Raine has, in his edition of the Life of Surtees, since said. " The 
point is settled by Mr. Allan's affidavit in Mr. Hutchinson's ' Apology/ 
prefixed to his third vol., that the book was composed and written by the 
latter from materials chiefly supplied by the former. Mr. Allan's rough 
copy of the sheets, as they belonged to the late Sir Cuthbert Sharp, and 
are now the property of the dean and chapter of Durham, by the gift of the 
bishop, proves that as far as those sheets go, they were all submitted to Mr. 
Allan's revision, and corrected ; and they further prove that Mr. Allan was 
the sole author of the Introduction prefixed to the first vol., and extending 
to p. xxxvi., the whole of which, with its various corrections and alterations 
is in his handwriting."* Of Surtees and other writers, good, bad, and 
indifferent, who have treated on the whole county, I need not speak ; their 
merits and demerits are obvious, and they are not especially connected with 
Darlington in any way. In 1834 (see p. 322) Gordon's very excellent 
guide was published for the neighbourhood. Dr. Peacock, the late eminent 
physician of Darlington, had previously published an acute summary on the 
Dinsdale Spa. The first part of a new guide on Dinsdale, Croft, and the 
neighbourhood, was published at Darlington by T. D. Walker, esq., surgeon, 
Hurworth, in 1849 ; but does not, I think, profess to include Darlington. 
So that I really have the ground in a tolerably virgin state, and consequently 
have to give all my evidences in a lengthy form ; but I hope to see them of 
use to more popular writers. 



* " I am near 58 years of age, and may hope to retain my strength of mind for some 
years. All the grief that I have had in my station here, was from not having a quarter 
part of the business my industry sketched out wishes for ; and thence to supply the hours 
of leisure I pursued those moderate avocations, I hope, few men can blame." — (Hutchinson 
to Allan, in a letter dated Barnard Castle, 12 Dec., 1790, penes R.H. A.) 



DIVISION V . 

TOMilf AM© AQ&XOHr&VU&lB, 
I. TRANSIT. 



The origin of most of our great lines of road will probably never be proved. The 
Eomans might either find them or form them. The Saxons could only view them 
when made, and in astonishment ascribe them to the labours of their own demigods. 

Little has been done for their history. The old-fashioned antiquary preferred to 
ascertain their exact route, however unimportant, to the more thoughtful and laborious 
task of viewing them in their great generalities. How much of interest lies in their 
mere names 1 How few in reading my account of Catkill Lonning in p 127, and the 
absurd legend engrafted upon it, would detect the word Cat in it, a little syllable so 
common to British roads and places of fight, or draw the conclusion that Ketton took 
its name from it 1* And who in traversing our Forth Moor reflects that its appellation 
may have reference to the ancient horsetrack through it ?t 

At one time the poet Dyer contemplated a general review of England's features. His 
notes on Roman roads are perhaps founded on southern experiences, but they are worth 
consideration. " In the Roman roads are seen, flint-stones, chalk, hard gravel, hard 
clay, laid in layers. Qu. 1st, a hard binding clay, then flint-stones, then chalk, on the 
chalk gravel, all about six or eight feet thick. Chalk and gravel bind — flint and 
pebbles endure. Next to navigable rivers, good roads deserve the public regard ; al- 
though our attempts to make them are few and weak : not like those of the Romans, 
and other ancient nations, whose great men (taking a pride in being any way serviceable 
to the public) were successively the surveyors of them. But our customs are different ; 
and these toils are left to the inferior sort, who, after the pattern of their little minds, 
construct our public roads, where the manufacturer often sees his carriages half buried, 
even at the entrances of public and trading towns. Yet, upon such accidents, the 

* Ketton is Cattun in its earliest appearance. I believe I am not far wrong in stating 
that at Newton Ketton, there have been mere flint celts found, than in all the rest of the 
county put together. Indeed the immense quantity of these, (for bronze celts are unknown 
at that place) and the numerous beads and other early remains gathering together by Mr. 
John Ord, an antiquarian farmer of his own soil there, have sometimes led me really to 
give way to an impression that there had been a manufactory of such weapons upon his 
land. St. Cuthbert's beads are found in equal abundance. 

t See p. 26, for the " Forth versus Aclemore quod ducit a Windleston usque Derlyng- 
ton." Forth or ford is a British word for a road, but perhaps in its application in England 
it bad rather the same signification as when applied to an assart or place cleared for culti- 
vation, cut forth and out of the waste, like the Forth in Newcastle and the Friths among 
woods. I am not sure that " road" has not a similar import. Roda or Rode-land are 
terms for assarts. The adjuncts royd and rod in names of Lancashire and Yorkshire 
villages are reduced to them, and in Durham seem to be represented by forth and worth. 
This is not the book for a long discussion on the subject, else I could lay before the reader 
a wonderful array of evidences upon it. 



350 



TRANSIT. 



laborious inhabitants reflect but little ; their arm is busy with the loom or the hammer. 
Their eye is intent on the thing- they fashion. It is the man at large, the man of for- 
tune, who, on this, ought to exert a spirit. But he is quite ignorant of what happens, 
he, and all his peers. They live at a great distance from their old hereditary acres, and 
the neglected avenues to them, and from all that is country. The great town and her 
luxuries possess them wholly, and devour up their virtues." 

The roads generally laid down as Roman may have been British ones, and even as 
connected with the Romans give no correct idea of all the lines of communication 
adopted by them. Many others may be traced by the names on their routes ; and we 
do not sufficiently remember that there would be' a distinction between their military 
and ordinary roads. We have innumerable old ways of unknown antiquity, often 
strongly marked for long distances, but more generally broken by their disuse and the 
increase of culture around them. An old rustic once told me that his father said that 
roads originally followed the course which water ran. 

I have sometimes stumbled upon an old causeway or horsetrack in the centre of a 
modern farm, the commencement and termination of which were only problemati- 
cal. Such roads are generally accompanied by a goodly portion of sward, which in 
former times was common to the tenants, or reserved to the lord of the manor. They 
would almost seem to have been left for agricultural use in summer only, the leading of 
the harvests, and are probably the remnants of those rough roads called balks be- 
tween each man's occupancy upon a common. The Medomsley freeholders in 1609 
ordered " that none pass out of the way on the balke in the Innfield called the kirk- 
balke into the corn riggs there" — a very proper resolution, for in 1596, Roger Hopper, 
an iniquitous person who went " gadding abroad in the night at unlawful hours, did 
mak common ways with his cattle through the corn fields and meadows contrary to 
conscience." In part of the old horsetrack, from Entercommon in Yorkshire to Sedge- 
field in Durham, called Lingfield Lane, which occurs in the parish of Haughton-le- 
Skerne immediately after leaving Forth Moor, the horsetrack crosses the sward from 
hedge to hedge more than once. When I traversed it, it was in reference to the repair 
of the lane, the township disclaiming anything more than the horsetrack, the remainder 
having formerly been crossed by gates, let out for eatage, and altogther treated as 
priyate property. The owner was beaten on a technical flaw in the indictment. As 
the road has since been repaired, the appearances I have mentioned may to some extent 
have disappeared. In Forth Moor Farm, which evidently takes name from the road, 
the latter has lost its hedges and been thrown open to the fields 

The extreme narrowness of the ancient ways would almost lead to the impression 
that sidings for the passing of vehicles would be required. There is a small lane 
leading from Gainford to the Tees the queer nooks of which have been supposed to 
have answered the same purpose. Popular tradition places a sentry in each in rebel- 
lion time. I confess these assumed sidings were not of the width I expected, yet in so 
contracted a lane the smallest advantage would be of service. 

The subject of horseroads reminds me of a picturesque but singular custom existing 
in the Auckland district at a very late period, to which my attention has been drawn 
by Mr. Fenwick. At a funeral, the neighbours used to mount the corpse upon a horse, 
a living wight jumped on behind to keep his cold companion steady ; and thus, at a 
slow and solemn pace the procession moved on to the churchyard. Coffins were a 
rarity in all places, but the usual mode of conveying the body after packing it in a 
winding sheet, was by means of a rude parish bier. Whitaker states that before inter- 
ments began to take place at Muker in Richmondshire, the bodies of the dead were 
conveyed on men's shoulders upwards of twelve miles to the parish church of Grinton, 
not in coffins but in rude wicker baskets.* 

We have no reason to believe that the Romans often followed the plan of having bridges 
with arches of stone. A stake which once helped to support the crossing of Watling- 

* The inhabitants of Harewood, a small vale of the Tees, are proverbially fools, at least 
with their neighbours of Weardale, who tell an absurd story (which is localized in many 
another place) of a stray cuckoo (a rara avis there) wandering to that obscure glen. The 
astonished natives banded together to capture the unusual visitant, which, being no less 
astonished than themselves, allowed them to build a ivall with loose stones round his tem- 
porary residence, and they declared they would have succeeded had not one of their leading 
shepherd's cur dogs dashed into the enclosure and proved to the confiding bird that there 
were dogs even at Harewood. At that time there was no regular road into Harewood, and 
on the completion of one, some time afterwards, a surveyor drove up to inspect the new 
work. He was seated in a four wheeled carriage, which was a fresh object of wonderment 
to the clan of ninnies. The whole population ran after it, declaring to each other " Darra, 
lad, d'girt wheil's gaun t'owertak t'little un." These tales are so well known in Weardale 
and confessed in Teesdale that on any feud they are at once bandied, and the words " Did 
ter help te catch t'cuckow V or " Dost ter think t'girt wheil will ivver owertak t'little 
un V will at once raise the blood. 



ROADS. 351 

street, at Piercebridge, remained in very recent times, as well as some black oaken 
timbers at the presumed course of the Roman road over a beck or burn near Streatlam. 
At Ebchester we have the sort of bridge, adopted, as it is believed, by the Romans, wood 
upon stone piers ;* and near Newton Ketton, a late but singular instance of a footpath, 
carried across amphibious fields, on minute arches, covered with flags. 

On the subject of such bridges, I may mention that in 1299, Edward I. marched 
northwards. On the 25th Nov. he was at Beverley ; and on the 28th mass was celebrated 
in his presence in his chapel at Apelton.f On the 2nd December, Sir Peter de Donewick 
was summoned to the court at Darlington, and remained with the court, by precept of 
the king, 148 days. On the 4th, the king had arrived at Durham. The beginning of 
the same month, the king's alms of 45s. 2d. were bestowed on Adam de Sutton, bailiff 
of Darlington, for the repair of a bridge in his town, where the king's treasure and 
various carriages had to pass. Wood and nails were the materials, and we may assume 
a wooden platform, on stone piers, as the likely appearance of the structure, whether 
over the Skerne or Cockerbeckj the customary planking being doubtless all too weak 
for the intended load 4 

In 1274, the Prior of Durham had conveyed Robert de Insula, prior of Finchale, to 
London. The latter had just been elected bishop of Durham, and the train in attend- 
ance, upon so important an occasion, as when an elected prelate and a prior, who stood 
in the capacity of dean in his cathedral church, journeyed to seek confirmation of the 
appointment by the king, must have been very considerable. Their rate of motion 
cannot be taken as a fair criterion of the ordinary speed of travelling, as every convenience 
and aid would be specially supplied. They reached London on the 15th day after leaving 
Durham. Two kinds of carriages are mentioned, earectce and bigoe. The former were 
four-wheeled carriages, the latter two-wheeled. The road pursued was by Northallerton, 
Boroughbridge, and Pomfret to Doncaster; and the first night was passed at Ketton, 
where the Monastery possessed a grange. The party did not pay by meal but by what 
was actually consumed, for they had prepared a stock of provisions to be carried in 
their carts, and a stock of herrings was despatched from Northallerton to Doncaster 
against their arrival at that town. At Ketton they paid for kitchen stuff, drink and 
bread, all other accommodation being ready and gratis. Further on, charges occur for 
forerunners, oats, hay, and litter for their horses, beer and wine. There must have 
been an inn at Ketton where the beer and wine were purchased, the expression being 
"in taberna ibidem." The whole journey up cost 751. 15s. 5d. The return was more 
rapid. The party reached Ketton by a ten days travel. 

In the Exchequer calendars, 18 Edw. I., we find mention of receipt, by Richard Knut, 
of 10,000 marks out of the king's treasury at York, by the hands of the merchants of 
Luca, to be carried at Knut's own risk and peril from York to Newcastle. 

In 1304, £4,000 was transmitted from York to Scotland ; five carters were engaged 
for the transit, twelve archers accompanied them, six men to watch the carriage. 
Besides, John le Convers and Walter de Gilling had the general oversight of the trans- 
action. The money was pached in eight barrels, made with all proper economy out of 
three empty casks. The first day they reached Easingwold, the next night Darlington, 
the next Chester-le-Street, and during this stage six esquires on horseback were added 
to the escort, at the cost of 6s. for their services. The next stage was Chester to 
Morpeth. 

In 7 Edw. II. a royal messenger passed through Darlington from London to Berwick. 
Nine days completed the transit. 

In the beginning of December, 12 Edw. III. £200 was carried from York to Newcastle 
in three days. It laid in panniers on a horse's back, and two men-at-arms and four 
archers guarded it. £2000 was brought from London to Berwick under charge of ten 
men, in the depth of winter, and in fourteen days. Fifteen days took £600 from 
London to Dunbar, and this in the same season. In March 2 Edw. Ill, the bishop of 
Lincoln and Sir Geoffrey le Scrope passed from York to a parliament at Edinburgh. 
The bishop reached Northallerton the first night, Sedgefield the next, and Newcastle the 
next, perhaps taking the old track by Lingfield Lane. Scrope came by Thirsk, 
Darling-ton, and Durham, and returned circuitously by Newcastle, Durham, Auckland, 

* In Feb., 1644, the Scots army 'marched to the water of Darwent, and with difficulty 
got their foot files over a tree-bridge at Ebchester, half over night, and the rest next day ; 
so that they all passed that night on the field.' 

f He had a sort of portable chapel. Appleton-upon-Wiske seems to be meant, tending 
to the old pass of Pountey's Bridge. In Henry I.'s reign Robert de Brus gave to St. Mary's 
Abbey, York, his Lordships of Appilton and Hornby, and all the lands lying betwixt the 
same, and the great road leading from York to Durham, being part of his Lordship of 
Middleton.— ( Collins .) 

X Wardrobe accounts, pub. by Soc. Ant. 



352 



TRANSIT. 



Winston, Witton, to Clifton in Richmondshire, and so to York. The bishop returned 
by Newcastle, a grange near Durham, Nesham, Topcliffe, and so to the King at 
Stamford. The bishop of Norwich came to the same parliament from York by Allerton 
Maleverer, Brimiston, Dornyngton (Darlington), Durham, and Newcastle ; and returned 
by Darlington, Birmiston, Miton, &c. William le Zouch went by Thirsk, Lasinqby, 
Sedgefield, Durham, and Newcastle ; and returned by Newcastle, Auckland, Lesyngby, 
Shubton, Pontefract, &c. to Stamford like his fellows. The various routes suggest the 
comparative absence of the chief roads of modern times, and probably one causeway 
was nearly as good as another. 

In 48 Edw. III. John Fenwick, sheriff of Northumberland, conveyed the ransom of 
cf King David from Berwick to York, himself having a guard of seventeen men-at-arms 
and nineteen archers. He set out on June 23 or 24, and did not arrive at York till 
July 4 * 

The " Raid of the Bishop," ad vadum Cirporum inter Fery et Wodom , or Rushy ford, 
when Gilbert stole the bishop, and the chattels of his cardinals, points to the present 
north' road, as in use at the time, for the unlettered prelate had received timely .« warning 
of danger at Darlington.f In the march of Edward III. after the Scots, he reached 
Durham the same day he had left Topcliffe and in 1333, Queen Philippa made the 
journey from Knaresbrough to Durham in one day, a distance of fifty miles and upwards. 

On the march to Flodden Field the Earl of Surrey " wyth hys fyve hundred menne 
came to Yorke, and the xxvi day he went toward Newcastell, and notwythstandynge 
that he had the fowleste daye and nyght that could be, and the ways so depe, in so muche 
that hys guyde was almoste drowned before hym, yet he never ceased, but kept on his 
jomey to geve example to them that shoulde folowe. He beynge at Durham was 
advertysed &c. All that that nyghte the wynde blewe coragiously. * * * * The 
earle harde masse and appoynted wyth the Prior for saincte Cutberde's banner, and so 
that daye beynge the thyrty daye of August, he came to Newcastell."^ 

Croft bridge was then " the most directe and sure way and passage for the Kinge our 
Sovraigne Lorde's arm ye and ordynance to resort and passe over into the North parties 
and marshes, over the which bridge suche armys and ordynances hathe hertofor always 
bene accustomyd to goo and passe : and as yt is thought by dy verse wyse and experte 
men, yt wes veray difficil and herd to fynd any other way over the said ry ver commodius 
and at all tymes redy and easfull for the said caryages and passages."§ 

These and other scanty notices we possess of early travelling before the 16th century, 
prove nothing, as far as regards ordinary conveyance. The marches and progresses of 
kings and prelates have nothing in common with the movements of their subjects. 
But now came regular postmasters bound to furnish horses for the irregular news- 
carrier who was to ride for his life. Their office was called a postship. and was so far 
a monopoly as to be regularly conveyed as a freehold.^] 

By 1577, the comfort to be prepared for travellers had become a science. Harrison 
speaks rapturously of the linen used at table being washed daily ; and each comer 
having clean sheets. He mentions something of the price of a bed. If the traveller had 
a horse, an animal which has always been a source of iniquities innumerable, his bed 
cost him nothing, but if he was on foot, his bed was sure to cost him a penny. Hideous 
concerts of bagpipes greeted new comers in the northern towns ; the constables expected 
their shilling for the safe custody I suppose of the strangers' chattels, and another 
shilling was spent upon two guides from one place to another, especially, one would think, 
over commons. The cost of ten post-horses was I5d. or 16c?. the modern posting mile.|| 

The "diary of Thomas Chaytor, of Butterby (1612 to 1617), contains some interesting 
possages illustrative of conveyance. At his time the roads between Durham and New- 
castle seem to have been in a most deplorable state, so much so that notwithstanding 
articles of consumption were to be obtained in greater plenty and at cheaper rates by 



* Rev. Jos. Hunter in York Volume of the Archseological Institute. 

f Graystanes, p. 17. But Whessoe Lane was probably the route to Aycliffe. 

% Hall's Chronicle. Sub Flodden fight. 

§ Surtees iii. 408, in a brief requesting Christian people to repair the bridge. 10th July 
33 Hen. viii. 

% In 1596, George Bainbridge, of Darneton, gent., conveyed his postshippe of Darneton 
to Peter Glover, whose relative John Glover was long postmaster and master of the old 
posting house now the Talbot Inn. 

|| " For 10 post horses from Allerton to Derington [16 miles] 20s. : to two guides, 12c?. : 
to the constables at Allerton, 12c?. For the like from Darinton to Durraham [18 miles] 
235. id. : to two guides, 12c?. : to the constables at Darinton, 12c?." These from the posting 
charges of William Davision, esq., sent by Elizabeth on special message to James of 
Scotland, in December, 1582. (Gent. Mag., June, 1840). 



ROADS. 3oV, 

coming to Newcastle; he solemnly affirms, May 1612, " I think it more profit to buy in 
Durhm market than to send to Newcastle, all things weighed." One of these things 
was however the inferior quality of rye at Newcastle. It was principally, if not wholly 
imported, and before the passage 1 have just quoted he sajs, " Rye at Newcastle 8s. 6d. 
the bowll. I bought eight bowells, which beinge dressed was not more than six pecks 
and" a half to the bo well and little more. Mine own rye lasted till the last of June/' 
He does not seem to have had any difficulty in riding to Croft and back in one day. 
On one occasion of his being there, 17 June, he writes, " It was the cruellest day for 
wet and rain that ever I rode in, and notwithstanding I came again of one day." This 
speaks well for the roads to the south of him. Indeed on one occasion in March his 
speed appears to have been marvellous. " 15th : to Sadbury, my wife and I. 16 : to 
see my neice Willey [at Honghton-le-Side] and returned home that night in two hours." 
On the loth May following he rode to Rippon in one day. In .Ian., 1615, he rode to 
Esh, was a godfather there and came back to dinner. The next month he set his 
brothers-in-law, Bertram Buhner and Thomas Temp?st, on their road to London. 
" The snow was so great in wreaths in the loaninge at Ferie Hill that, the ways being 
unbroken, they passed with great difficulty in very many places and for a long quantity 
of ground, the snow being higher than the height of their horses." In October he again 
had reason to lament at the journey to Newcastle. " Rob. Denny ingoing to Newcastle 
with my cousin W. Chaytor's man to help to sell his horse, did fritidge my mare that 
was worth 10£." 

Sir Bertram Buhner appears from the diary often to have taken a trip to the great 
city. On the 3rd of April, 1616, he set off with 61. of Thomas Chaytor's to furnish 
him with some things which he thought Bertram could manage nicely for him ; and 
returned the 2nd of May, a short journey enough at the time. On the 12th of May, 
1617, poor bishop James died of vexation at Auckland from king James's scolding, 
and the news was carried to the king at Berwick, by post, and reached him the same 
day. The next day, the 13th, the king took progress from Berwick northwards, and on 
that same day the report reached Durham that Dr. Neile was to be the new bishop. 
During the whole of this century the prevailing fashion was to take long journeys on 
horseback. At its close we find Henry Chaytor taking horse from London for Croft 
accompanied by Sir Wm. Hustler. His sister on another occasion came by coach. 
The carriage of a vial of dropsy water and a pint of gripe water from his father in 
London to York for the same Henry in his last illness, by coach cost 35 6d. 

When our good bishop Cosin was growing grey, gouty, and crabbed, a journey seems 
to have been a terrific bugbear to him. An original letter of 1670, from him in London 
to Mr. Stapylton at Durham Castle, in the collections of the late John Brough Taylor, 
contains the following very significant sentences : — " You do not say clearly whether 
you sent my letter to archdeacon Greensyte to Sedgfield or no, but tell me of his mad 
journey to Yorke and of his intention to come with his wife to London, I suppose in a 
hackney coach, which is able to distemper her for a year after \ though truly I think he is 
more distempered than she is." — " You fright me with your own fears about my 
journey. I think the motion of a litter will shake me and trouble me as much or more 
than a coach will do upon plain ground. I shall therefore incline rather to have a 
sedan carried along with me upon a horse, which may be taken down to carry and ease 
me by Ned the footman and the groom wheresoever I come to a stony and rugged way : 
and this is the advice of Sir Alexander Fraser my chief physitiau. Through God's 
help I hope to get well to you, and meet you about Wetherhy before I get to Brafferton.* - 
— I have spoken this day with my coachman. He saith the driver of the carioll and a 
groom, if you can get a good one, must be sent up with the horses, which are either at 
Auckland or at Brafferton after they have been taken up there from feeding on the 
ground abroad, and put into the stable for a week's time to make them fit for travaile. 
This will take up the whole next week, and the week after will bring them hither to 
town where they will remain a week before I begin my journey. If you cannot 
provide me a good groom to look to the horses and to go along with the carioli and 
lead the horse that carries my sedan by it, and be able also to carry me in the sedan 
(he and Ned the footman together) when 1 go thorough stony towns and rugged way, 
you must give us notice of it time enough so that we may the better provide such a 
groom here in town. My coachman tells me that he thinks all my horses are at 
Brafferton whither you sent them to eat up my hay there for want of hay at Auckland. 
If this be so must write to John Abbey and give him those directions that I have given 
to you. The post is loaden this time so that I cannot send any Acts of Parliament to 
you." 

The roads in the southern division were long famous for their miserable condition. 
The road between Darlington and Croft through the marshy pastures of Oxeniefield was 

* Upon Swa'e in Yorkshire. 



354 



TRANSIT. 



denounced by the Duke of Cumberland in 1746, as the worst he had travelled upon. 
An attempt, however, was now made to remedy this sad state of affairs. Turnpike 
roads were first made in the county in 1742. In the act of 1745* for repairing the high 
road from Boroughbridge through Northallerton to Croftbridge, and through Darlington 
to Durham, the preamble states that " by reason of the deepness of the soil, and many 
heavy carriages passing through the same, many parts were become very ruinous and 
much out of repair, and in the winter season were so bad, that coaches, waggons, and 
other carriages could not pass without great danger." Yet, in 1810, Bailey complains 
that the great north road from Darlington to Newcastle was very ill kept. " On the 
authority of the great Will Roughhead, for so long a time guard of the Telegraph coach, 
in 1800, and for one or two years ofterwards, the road from Rushyford to Durham was 
so bad, that he, as guard, was in winter provided with a flambeau, and used to walk for 
several miles before the coach, calling out to the driver to put his horses to the right or 
left according as the holes were more or less deep. The late Mr Hoult, of Rushyford, 
has been known to state that in the winter of 1811 he lost no less than seven horses, 
whose legs were broken on the rough road between Durham and Darlington ! Nor 
were other roads any better ; for, before the Stockton and Darlington Railway was made, 
the turnpike between these two towns was repaired by throwing trees into the ruts, the 
trustees having no funds for doing the work better. Before the building of Winston 
Bridge, towards the latter end of the eighteenth century, the coal carriers from the 
north riding of Yorkshire, when coming into the county of Durham, always provided 
themselves with axes in order to be prepared to render the roads passable by mending 
them after the primitive fashion now pursued on the corduroy roads in the backwoods 
of America." 

The morasses, however, might have been endured had they been unfrequented. But 
every sound in the ears of the nervous traveller was the harbinger of the highwayman. 
Even towns were not safe. Thomas Chaytor in 1615 says : — " John Constable's man of 
Biddick came out of a house in Gateside at the end of the bridge and with his sword 
gave a grevous and mortall wound to my servaunt. The said Craw by a warrant was 
apprehended and by a mittimus sent to the gaol at Durham quousqne q." It 
is "possible, however, that in this case there might have been some private feud 
before. 

The especial retreat of rogues and road pads was Darnton in its dirt. " To take 
Darnton Trod," or "Darnton Road," is to adopt desperate measures, in order to avoid 
immediate consequences — to fly the country for debt or crime. " This is,'' says 
Brockett, who gives the phrase to Yorkshire, " I suppose the London road." But other 
roads, such as the footpath from Newton Ketton to Darlington, are termed Darnton 
Trod, and the saying is most common in Westmoreland and Cumberland. At schools 
in Teesdale, if a boy has done mischief, a friendly voice will warn him to " tak Darnton 
Trod," that he may get out of the way and escape chastisement. I am inclined to 
think, as we never hear of any sanctuary privileges at Darlington, that the saying 
refers to a j unction with the lawless marauders- of the place temporarily, or, if the 
of the offender liked their line of life, for ever. The " black troops " of modern times 
give one but a very faint idea of the power possessed by the earlier reprobates. In 
Cosin's time, Barwick, Middleton, and Copperthwaite were the Adam Bell, Clim of-the- 
Clough, and William of Cloudeslie who infested Darlington and Neasham for the new 
and old roads, and filled passengers with terror .t 

The roadside hostelry of Baydlebeck is famous in tradition as the chosen palliard for 
a celebrated clatch of thieves called Cations gang, as well as for " Sir William Browne," 
knight of the order of St. Nicholas, and his retainers. A rhyme is handed down as 



* Act for the Stockton and Barnard Castle road 1747 ; for road from Darlington to 
Railey Fell and Piercebridge to Royal Oak, 1751 ; for road from Cockerton to Staindrop, 
1795. 

f " At my returne to Durham I met with the noise of a crewe of highway robbers, 
(Barwick, they say, the ringleader), who have beene so bold as to attempt sundry houses, 
as that of Mr. Peacock's neare Durham, Mr. Barker neere Pearce Bridge, and Mr. 
Pearceson minister of Great Stainton. Thence being removed hither to Eaglesclifte (to 
reside with my family for a time,) on Saturday last three of us had a meeting, at Sir 
George Vane's, where was Mr. Ra. Davison, where we resolved to send to the justices of 
those wards, to whom it properly belongs, to order watches, &c, about the places of their 
haunts, which, if neglected, wee will take the best course we can. Meanwhile we have 
bound to the good behaviour and to the next sessions two notorious harbourers of those 
leude persons, (one Buttrick and another John Ward byname, of Haughton neere Dar- 
lington,) and by them wee have made some discoveries : one Orde, a notorious mate of 
those robbers, I found in the Gaole of Durham, to be one of my auditours there on Sunday 
was a fourtennight."— Dr. Basire to Cosin, 8 Nov., 1669. 



ROADS. 355 

addressed by him to Mr Bowes -who was sitting in front of his old mansion, Thornton 
Hall :— 

Who knows, but Mr. Bowes, 

In his old days, will mend his waj r s.* 

This desperate king of modern mosstroopers received sentence of death in 1743 at 
Newcastle for returning from transportation. After sentence was passed, he begged 
earnestly to be transported again ; but the judge giving no ear to him, Sir William 
broke out into all the opprobrious language he could think of, against both the judge 

and the whole court, and wished that God Almighty might d all their souls to 

h . He was executed at the Westgate, Newcastle. To the vicar, who attended him, 

he expressed great concern for his past wicked life, and seemed very penitent. Two 
companies of soldiers, quartered in the town, guarded him from the castle, and were 
drawn up at the place of execution, for fear of his being rescued by his band. 

Baydalebeck hostelry is built of cobble stones of very small size, and has been an inn 
for time immemorial, but gained so bad a name from its thievish frequenters that the 
landlord some 20 or 30 years ago let it for 81., and agreed to keep a cow for the tenant 
in the bargain. The cow's keep would now exceed the 8/. The house (which was 
haunted, by the way) with 20 acres of land, was bought afterwards for some 5001. only. 
In its palmy days none durst come near after nightfall. At present, it a very favourite 
resort of the sprigs of Darlington, who rejoice in the capital oat cake and whiskey 
prepared by the worthy landlady, Mrs. Naisbitt. 

In 1773, the postboy going between Durham and Darlington was attacked at Chilton 
Lane end, by two persons on foot, of 9s. and his whip. The very frequent robberies of 
the same kind at last caused the transfer of the bags to coaches. The first mail from 
Newcastle to the south conveyed by the royal mail coach was transmitted on Nov, 22, 
1786. It is said that no one at first would take the mail in at Darlington, t but James 
Trenholme, of the Red Lion, in Blackwellgate/j at last consented. Coaches depending 
on private support had been running some time before. In 1764, and long after, a 
stage coach ran from Newcastle to York. The termination of the first day's journey 
was Darlington, of the second Thirsk, and at the close of the third day it reached its 
destination, returning again at the same rate. But the whole distance from Newcastle 
soon occupied but three days, by means of a " machine," as a coach was then termed. 

The Darlington Pamphlet contains the following announcement : — " NEWCASTLE 
POST COACH, Darlington, May 22, 1772. Began to run Three Days a Week, on 
Monday the 29th of January, 1770, and continues setting out from the George and Blue 
Boar Inn, Holborn, London, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday ; and from the 
Bull and Post Boy, in Newcastle, on the same Days : will go from London to New- 

* I once wished that a gentleman whose opportunities and collections for an assemblage 
of our popular rhymes and proverbs were very extensive, wonld publish them. Since then 
a collection professing to contain them has appeared. But, alas ! it has all the charac- 
teristics of that dishonest school of imitation antiquaries, who suppose that evidences and 
their illustrations are wanted ; not for the purpose of ascertaining the manners, customs, 
and language of our fathers ; but to make readable stories, which are generally far 
exceeded by those of Joe Miller and Charles Dickens. The collection I am compelled to 
allude to by way of appropriate caution oddly enough appeared in a newspaper under 
some significant initials, at the very time another correspondent was employed in exposing 
the inaccuracies of Hagar's Directory. Its contents are too nine i like the coins of the 
notorious John White who constructed a penny of bishop Sherwood by altering the mint 
mark of one of bishop Fordham, i. e., several " either never existed, or were altered by his 
ingenuity to suit his fancy and impose upon collectors. These falsifications have destroyed 
all confidence in the work, which cannot be referred to as a proof of any rare peculiarity." 
1 have to give this explanation here, to account for my not adding that Sir William Brown 
passed Thornton Hall early one morning, returning with his companion from some highway 
robbery in the west, that the road was very bad, that his horse was tired and sunk to his 
knees in mire every step, that it fell at Thornton and flung the knight, to flounder in the 
mud and soused head and foot to arise, when he saw Mr. Bowes. I am as fearful of 
transplanting such details from such a source as Mr. Hawkins is of John White's plates ; I 
tell the tale in the text as it is told to me ; and 1 am most credibly assured that I there 
tell all that remains of it. Traditions and oral rhymes are too inaccurate to begin with, 
to allow of further alteration or addition ; and popular user must say that an individual's 
dictum has sufficient pith, utility, or wit to be perpetuated as a saying or proverb. 
Seminal in vulgus nugas, auditaque lingua 
Auget, et ex humili tumulo producit olympum. 

t At first coaches were declared vey effeminate, and afterwards very murderous, 
vehicles. Scarcely half a century has elapsed since stage coaches were charged with 
proceeding at a fatal pace — several passengers having died of apoplexy. 

t About 60 years ago, a gentleman who was lodging at Trenholine's, and was somewhat 
deranged, drowned himself in the smallest of the Hell Kettles. 



;356 



TRANSIT. 



castle in Three Days, and from Newcastle to London in the same Time (provided no 
material Accident happens) to carry six inside Passengers, each to pay Three Pence 
per Mile ; to be allowed 14 lb. of luggage ; all above to pay Four-Pence Halfpenny per 
Pound, or in proportion to the Miles they go, No Livery Servants will be carried, 
except such Servant's Master or Mistress is in the Coach at the same Time. * # * The 
Proprietors of this Machine beg leave to acquaint the Public, that they are determined 
not to carry Money, Plate, Jewels, or Watches, upon any Consideration whatever : 
And that the said Proprietors do hereby give Notice, they will not be answerable for any 
such Articles, sent by the said Machine after the Date hereof. SAM. WILKINSON, 
Clerk. N. B. The above Coach goes through Darlington for the South, at Ten 
o'Clock in the Forenoon, and for the North at One o'Clock in the Afternoon, every 
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday." A subsequent advertisement of the August follow- 
ing informs us that the machine ran every day during the summer season, " and in 
order to make this machine more agreeable to those Ladies and Gentlemen who choose to 
travel in it," the proprietors would not carry any outside passengers or livery servants 
in the inside, except the latter under the regulations given in the former notice ; nor 
carry any children under two years of age, and all above that age to pay full price ; nor 
carry any dogs within or without the coach upon any consideration. The coaches in 
and about 1774 were termed flies, or fly coaches. Allan, the antiquary, mentions in 
that year the coach to Durham by such names. 

Mr. Wm, Davison, of Alnwick, very lately fixed and perhaps still fixes an old or 
copy of an old woodcut to his yards of songs, which presents a very odd machine, 
drawn by four horses, and of unusual length. There seem no outside conveniences, but 
the interior has two compartments somewhat after the fashion of a modern railway 
carriage. 

In the days of machinery however, the magnates generally travelled to London by 
other means. One mode was the procession of nine or ten days in all the solemn state 
of lonely grandeur ; the other by obtaining a partner in the lighter expense of a 
chaise.* " Wanted,'' says a Darlington Mercury of 1773, " a partner in a post chaise 
to London, on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday next. ttEfP Enquire of the Post Master in 
Darlington.'' The very great cost of the former plan may be gathered from an account 
of Miss Ann Allan's expenses of a journey to and from London in 1762, extracted from 
her household book. 

The worthy spinster's journey up consumed nine days. Six coach-horses, a coach- 
man and postillion, came from York for her, and in the service were occupied fifteen 
days, for which they were charged 26£. 5s. Od., besides coachman and postillion's fees. 
The coach and six horses down again cost 281. 14s. Od. ; and the road expenses down, 
511. 6s. 3d. The total cost of the journey up and down was 150/. t ; and some 700/. 
were spent by the lady in town. In the Ettrick Diary there is a curious and painful 
account of a journey to London, performed by the squire and his lady on horseback ; 
of their misery and consternation when their horse "Dragon' iel! lame ; and of the 
frightful expenses of the journey, which are partly accounted for by the dolorous hus- 
band, " because his wife would have all her own way.'' 

In days of old, there was a discreet decree among travellers on horseback, and even 
by stage coach,;}; that when Sunday came, it should be a day of rest for both man and 
beast in the slow progress on the road. The custom gives occasion to one of Scott's 



* About 80 years ago, there was but one post chaise in Darlington, and it had only three 
wheels. When another innkeeper set up an opposition chaise to it, the rival hosts adopted 
the practice which prevailed up to a recent period at bathing places, of watching the 
approach of chaises into the town, and hand ng cards to the travellers, soliciting their 
favours. ( Inf. Fra. Mewburn, esq.) 

f " 1762, Jan. 29. Paid bill at Darlington for chaises and horses, 11. 2s. Id. : at North- 
allerton, 21. ]s. Ohd. : Borough bridge, all night, 21. 3s. 5d. . Wetherby, breakfast, 10s. Id. : 
Aberforth, dinner, \l. 5s. Od. : Ferrybridge, all night, 3Z. Is. \d. : Doncaster, dinner, 
11. 13s. 5d. : Barnbymoer, all night, 21. 14s. \ld. : Tuxford, breakfast, 6s. : Carleton, dinner, 
11. 9s. <5d.: Newark, all night, 21. 18s. lid.: Grantham, dinner, M. 13s. 5%d. : Cotesworta, 
all night, 21. 14s. Ohd. : Stamford, dinner^. 10s. lid. : Stilton, all night, 21. His. Id. : Bug- 
den, dinner, 21. 6v. 5hd. : Biggleswade, all niftht, '61. 2s. Ad. : Stevenage, breakfast, 
11. Is. 9d. : Hatfield, dinner, \l 18s. 5d. : Barnett, all night, U. 4s. 9d. : fifteen days hire 
of six coach horses, coachman, and postillion, from York to Darlington and from thence to 
London, and return to York, at 11. 15s- Od. a day, 26. 5s. Od. : said coachman, extra 
present, 21. 2s. Od. : paid postillion do., \l. is. Od. : May 17, coach and six horses, from 
London to Grange, 281. 14s. Od. : road expenses from London to Grange, 5\l. 6s. old- 
Total cost of journey, loOl. Is. 9hl. 

X Diary of George Grey, esq., of Southwick. 1702. " Returned to London in the stage 
coach with Sir William Bowes, Thomas Harrison, of Copgrave, esq., and others ; we staid 
all Sunday at Stamford." 



ROADS. 357 

happiest scenes in " Rob Roy,'' laid at the jolly landlord's sign of the Black Bear in 
Darlington, and filling chapter iv. 

The tolls taken at the turnpike gates from Boroughbridge to the city of Durham, 
from 1 May, 1745, to 1 May, 1746', amounted to only 811/. 6s. i)\d. ! ! F the tolls taken 
on the same roads from the 1 Jan., 1835, to 1 Jan., 1836, (before the introduction of the 
York, Newcastle, and Berwick railway,) amounted to 7054/. lis. Wd. — shewing a 
wonderful increase in the traffic of the country. And the tolls taken on the same roads 
(since the establishment of the railway) from 1 Jan., 1849, to 1 Jan., 1850, amount to 
1707/. 15s. 2d. 

The accidents on roads were of course innumerable. 

In Oct., 1789, the Rev. Mr. Bainbridge, of Kirk Merrington, was unfortunately killed 
on the high road near that place, by a post chaise driving violently against him, which 
the heavy fall of snow prevented his seeing in time to avoid it. His horse was stake( , 
and both it and its driver were killed on the spot. The month before, the musical 
world sustained the loss of Samuel Ellis, esq., of G*eaUS«iTey Street. Blackfriars Road, 
who in his 41st year was killed by a fall from his horse near Darlington. To the study 
of the classics he had added a knowledge of the modern polite languages, and he had 
attained to such excellence in music, that Salomons, Cramor, Parke, and many other 
professors and amateurs of the art, frequently attended the concerts which he gave 
every Wednesday morning at his own house. On the 1st of May preceding he had 
given up his business to a young man who had lived with him some years ; and hoped 
to spend the remainder of his days in comfort and in contributing to the happiness of 
those round about him. 

It was, no doubt, a gallant age when the Mail, the Telegraph, the True Briton, the 
High-flyer, &c, daily rattled along the orderly turnpike and unmacadamised streets 
amid the joyful winding of horns. Yet altogether, the danger, cost, loss of time, little 
ease, inevitable night-exposure, and the thousand ills attendant on horse traction, fully 
prepared the nation to receive as a boon of no little consideration the introduction of a 
totally new principle, albeit at the expense of a mighty amount of road romance. For 
if a journey to the metropolis was a fearful thing by the stage coach, what must it have 
been for those luckless third-class travellers who adopted the stage-wagon, drawn as it 
was by eight or ten heavy-looking horses at the majestic pace of two miles an hour ! 

Many middle-aged people of Darlington remember the time when there was but one 
coach from Stockton. It ran three times a week only, passing through Darlington to 
Barnard Castle, and yet, notwithstanding the extent of its district, it was fairly starved 
off the road. The times have changed. The country between Darlington and Stockton 
was the first which saw a passenger-carriage drawn on a principle which has worked 
results in society generally of so startling a nature that they scarcely can be viewed as 
yet in any calm and phil sophical manner. 

It rose from the coal trade. In the earliest times, Durham was an inexhaustible 
supplier of fuel to her extensive sister on the south. In Leland's age there was "in 
Swaledale little corn and much grass, no wood but ling and some nut trees. The wood 
that the inhabitants burnt their lead with was brought out of other part of the shire, 
and out of Dirhamshir." And again, there were "no coal pits in Richemont ; yet the 
easterly parts of Richemontshire burnt much sea coals brought out of Dyrhamshire." 
The roads leading from the pits were called " Coal Streets, ' and were always the most 
important and best repaired of the district. One of these proceeds from Auckland and 
separates at Burtree gate into two branches, one runs through Cockerton and Black well 
to Croft (and by a branch to Darlington), the other joins the Darlington and Stockton 
road between Haughton and Burdon. In 1489, the bishop attempted a negociation with 
Sir John Paston, of Norfolk, for an exchange of coal for corn, wine, and wax. " whereby 
our familiarity and friendship may be increased. There was always a sort of small 
coasting trade, but the use of coals was so little known to our ancestors that a bill was 
introduced temp. Elizabeth to prohibit their use, at least during the session of parlia- 
ment, because the air was filled with unwholesome smoke and vapours to the great 
prejudice of the health of the inhabitants, especially those who had lately come from 
the country. Harrison in the same year laments the decay of timber, attributing it to 
the greater state of houses. " In times past men were contented to dwell in houses 
buylded of Sallow, Willow, Plummetree, Hardebeame, and Elme. . . . Yet see the 
chaunge, for when our houses were buylded of Willowe then had we Oken men, but 
nowe that our houses are come to be made of Oke, our men are not only become 
Willow, but a great many altogether of Straw, which is a sore alteration. . . . Nowe 
have we manye chimnyes and yet our tenderlinges complaine of rewines, catarres, and 
poses, then had we none but reredosses, and our heades did never ake. For as the 
smoke in those dayes was supposed to be a sufficient hardning for the timber of the 
house, so it was reputed a farre better medicine (I ) to keepe the goodman and his 
family from the quacke or pose, wherewith as then very few were acquainted." He 



358 



TRANSIT. 



fears that sea coal, whins, &c, would be good merchandise even in the city of London, 
where some of them had already taken up their inns in the greatest merchants* 
parlours* 

Provisions for working of coal occur at a very early date, and my lord prior of 
Durham and other ecclesiastics seem to have been the principal colliers. Arrangements 
for pits, and drifts or trenches (thus the term aqueductum she treneheam subterraneam 
occurs), for carrying off the water and winning the coal are found. 

The Chaytor house at Butterby seems to have burnt coal continually, and Thomas 
Chaytor evidently disliked wood as fuel. In Dec, 1614, he was forced to furnish his 
house with coals by his own horses, for the Wear kept so high for eight or nine weeks 
that he could not pass over with his wain. Feb. 13, 1615, was, says he, " the most 
outragious day for wind and snow that ever^did blow. Neither horse" nor man able to 
pass from this house to Durham. I had no coals, nor could send to the pits with horses 
or wains, and was forced to send for four horses load to my house ,at Durham the 10, 
and they lasted till the 13, and then we could pass for no more but was forced to make 
use of wooden fires.'' From his account there never w r as so long and deep a storm of 
snow as existed all over England at that season. In August, 1616, the following entry 
occurs. " Mr. John Fowler came of purpose from London to me the 27 of this, and 
took infinite pains in setting up my father's monument, and took journey towards 
Newcastle 13 of September following. I satisfied him for all disbursements at London, 
and gave him 405., and five chalder of coals, which cost me Zli. 10s.'' From the diary 
of Sir William Chaytor at the close of the 17th century while in the Fleet liberties, we 
gather that he paid 7s. for six bushels of coals. 

Up to 1600, it appeals that coals were conveyed from the collieries in carts on com- 
mon roads, and in some cases in baskets on the backs of horses, like the sacks on the 
trains of asses in our own day. A grant of wayleave occurs from bishop Ruthall in 
1530, for "carriages by wayne, cowpe, or horses, from the coal mines and pits now 
opened or which shall be opened in Ravensall and Eighton, through all the grounds, 
waists, and moors of the said Rev. Father' for 21 years, at 5s. rent. 

Grey, in his Chorographia of 1649, mentions the fame of the north parts for the coal 
trade, which he says began not past four-score years before, in consequence of the decay 
of woods in southern England. In those days the owners of collieries were frequently 
beggared, and the employed seem to have had the best time of it, many thousand 
persons being engaged. Many men, says he, lived by conveying the coals in waggons 
and wains to the Tyne. Among various southern gentlemen who came to hazard their 
money, " Master Beamont, a gentleman of great ingenuity and rare parts, adventured 
into our mines with his 30,000^., who brought with him many rare engines not known 
then in these parts ; as the art to bore with iron rods to try the deepness and thickness 
of the coal ; rare engines to draw water out of the pits ; waggons with one horse to carry 
down coals from the pits to the stathes, to the river, &c. Within a few years, he con- 
sumed all his money, and rode home upon his light horse." 

Roger North thus describes the northern roads in 1676 : — " When men have pieces of 
ground between the colliery and the river, they sell leave to lead .coals over their 
ground, and so dear, that the owner of a rood of ground will expect 20/. per annum for 
this leave. The manner of the carriage is by laying rails of timber from the colliery 
down to the river exactly straight and parallel, and bulky carts are made with four 
rowlets fitting these rails, whereby the carriage is so easy, that one horse will draw 
down four or five chaldrons of coals, and is an immense benefit to the coal-merchants.'' 

In the rude and early waggon-ways the rails were about six or seven inches in breadth, 
and were joined to the transverse sleepers by pins. They were soon worn away by the 
attrition of the wheels, and the holes in the sleepers became too large for the pins after 
these had been once or twice displaced in order to renew the rails, while the sleepers 
themselves were seriously deteriorated by the horses' feet. The " double railway'' was 
then contrived. In this, other pieces of wood were laid upon and fastened to the first 
rails by pins so that they could be renewed without touching the sleepers, and the 
superior height thus gained allowed the sleepers to be covered and secured from injury 
in the centre of the road. The regular load of a horse and cart on the common road 



* Of Cole mines we have such plentie in the North, and Westerne partes of our islande 
as may suffice for all the realme of Englande. And so musl they doe hereafter in deede, if 
woode be not better cherished than it is at this present, and to say the truth, notwithstanding 
that very many of them are caryed into other countryes of the maine, yet theyr greatest 
trade beginneth to growe from the forge into the kitchin and hall as may appeare already 
in most cities and townes that lye about the cost, where they have little other fewell, 
except it be turfe, and hassock. I marveyle not a little that there is no trade of these into 
Sussex and Southampton shire, for want whereof the Smithes doe worke theyr yron with 
charre coale. I think that farre carriage be the only cause, which is but a slender excuse 
to inforce us to carye them unto the mayne from hence." {Harrison, 1577.) 



THE RAIL. 359 

was 17 cwt., on a railroad 42 cwt. In curves or acclivities, thin pieces iron of were 
nailed over those parts of the rail which opposed resistance to the wheels. 

The middle of the last century is generally stated to have witnessed the first adoption 
of the ordinary tramroad in which iron was substituted for wood, and the extension of 
the iron- works of Shropshire and Staffordshire is stated as the reason. About 1767, 
iron plates were first laid down upon wooden rails in Shropshire. This is no evidence 
on their use in the north ; but one can scarcely doubt that in this district they were 
introduced long before. Rails wholly of iron are said to have been unsuccessfully tried 
at Whitehaven in 173S. Randall, who lived until 1774, says expressly in his annotated 
copy of Bourne's Newcastle : — " Waggon ways are reported in the neighbourhood of the 
collieries to have been first used on the River Were, soon after the revolution, by Mr. 
Allan, of Flatts, and on the Tyne by Charles Montague, esq., at Stella." The date 
indicated by these two names would be about 1690. Allan is said by Hutchinson to 
have been the first introducer, indeed he is still remembered as Lord Newark, a 
soubriquet acquired from the universal question " Hev ye been te see Allan's new 
warh V We can scarceley imagine any modification of the early wooden trams (which 
notoriously were in use long before) sufficiently striking to deserve these statements * 

The first iron tramroads were formed of the plate rail, consisting of cast iron rails 
about four feet long, having a flange or upright ledge three inches high, to keep the 
wheel upon the horizontal part, which was about four inches wide and an inch thick, 
and another flange at the other side projecting downwards to strengthen the rail. The 
friction on such rails was very great, compared with that on the later edge rail, in 
which the flange is on the wheel and does not require to be more than one inch in 
depth. The introduction into the country of cast iron wheels is said to have taken 
place about 1754, and the adoption of the wheel flange in 1789. 

Notwithstanding all the improvements by enterprising men, wooden tramways still 
continued to be used on the score of temporary cheapness, to almost our own day. 
They were on the edge rail principle, and anecdotes of the miseries consequent on the 
breaking of the wooden flanges off the wheels are still rife among the peasantry. 
When iron was used, the old pkte rail was still in very constant vogue, as requiring 
much less weight of metal. 

Before the success of Stephenson there were railways. There were indeed locomotive 
steam engines, with rack-wheels, and roughened wheels, chains, and even with legs, 
feet, and shoes It But the railways were small, the mode of progression miserably 
slow, and the engines so encumbered and troublesome from the contrivances to over- 
come an ideal obstacle, the want of sufficient adhesion in the wheels, that horse-labour 
was preferable. In 1813, things took a turn. Mr. Blackett by a series of experiments 
on the Wylam waggonway found that wheels and rails required neither racking nor 
roughening, and George Stephenson made his first locomotive at Killingworth Colliery. 
" Yes ! Lord Ravensworth and Co. were the first parties that intrusted me with money 
to make a locomotive engine. That engine was made thirty-two years ago, and we 
called it My Lordr^ It would cary about thirty tons at the rate of four miles an 
hour. L T p to the time of the Stockton and Darlington railway, steam progression, non 
obstante the confessed superiority of the 1814 engine, was still for general purposes, a 
dead letter. 

In 1767, a navigable canal had been projected, to lead from Stockton by Darlington 
to Winston, with side cuts from Darlington to Croft, from Thornton to Piersebridge, 
and from Cotham Stob to Yarm, Length, 33} miles : fall, 328 feet. At a meeting 
held at the Post-house, in Dailington, Nov. 9, a subscription was commenced to defray 
the cost of a survey which was made by Brindley and Whitworth,§ who estimated the 
cost of carrying the design into effect at 63,722/. It was proposed to derive the water 
from Staindrop beck and Sutburn beck, buying Alwent mill. The reports and map 
were published at Newcastle, in 1770, and in an improved map of that year, branches 

* It must, however, be confessed that in the letters of William Scott, Lord Eldon's 
father, published in Richardson's Imprints and Reprints, and reaching from 1745, to 1748, 
nothing occurs save rails and wheels of various woods. These are rather detailed in the 
correspondence. The southrons, thinking the demand inexhaustible, overstocked the 
market with these wooden articles. 

+ Ritchie gives a cut of this absurd machine. It was to travel 2^ miles an hour. 

t Speech of G. Stephenson, 1844. The progressive improvements in rails and engines 
effected by this gentleman and others do not affect my locale. They are very sufficiently 
detailed in Ritchie's little book on railways. Malleable edge-rails were first tried about. 
1803, at the Wallbottle colliery. The cast iron ones would have been unsuitable for high 
rates of speed. 

§ Leather states that Mr. Rob. Whitworth received his instructions on the 19 Sept. only, 
and he had finished his survey, plan, and report, on the 24 Oct. 



360 



TRANSIT. 



are laid down to Cockfield Fell, Etherley, &c. The primary object was the same as 
that of the present railway, to bring lead and coal to the Tees. In surveying and try- 
ing to forward the canal, George Dixon, of Cockfield took an active part. He was an 
extensive coal-owner, &c* His grandson,, John Dixon, was George Stephenson's first 
assistant in making the Stockton and Darlington railway, and is now the chief engineer 
on that line. 

The following curious statistics, as arguing for the probable success of the scheme, are 
contained in Hutchinson ; — 



Coals won at the coaleries at Etherley. West Auckland, 
Cockfield, Norwood, Butterknowle, Eldon, and Bishop 
Auckland, in one year ... 

Lead shipped at Stockton — foreign 1.506 

" " " coastwise 1574 



Allum 



do. 



do. 



foreign 
coastwise 



Tons. 



101,700 



3,080 



154 


724 


878 


7,000 


1,000 


4,500 


9,500 


5,300 


... 12,000 


18,000 


... 15,000 


5,000 


5,000 


12,018 


3,075 


2,369 



Lime from the kilns 

Slates and flags from Brignal, &c 

Coals to supply Stockton (town's use) 

The adjacent country 

Coals brought into Darlington (town's use) ... 

" passed over Croft bridge 

" " Piersebridge 

" " Winston bridge 

" consumed at the lime kilns 

" " in the county, west of Darlington 

Coals and cinders passed Yarm bridge in 1769 

Coals imported coastwise at Stockton 

Lime do. do. 

The Stockton items are the mean of the years 1766, 1767, 1768. In 1770, 40961 
chaldrons and 65 tons were landed at Stockton ; in 1780, and 1790, the number had 
sunk to about 220 chaldrons. At the first period coals were brought into the port for 
the Yorkshire alum-works, but owing to the high duty after that time, the works were 
supplied by land-sale coal at cheaper rates. 

In Tuke's '• Agriculture of the North Riding'' is inserted a letter from M. G. Steele, 
esq., urging strongly that a navigation from the Swale up the Wiske to the Tees 
between Croft and Yarm should be formed to communicate by an aqueduct over the 
Tees with a canal to be brought from the Durham coal pits. By this was to be con- 
veyed lead, coal, lime, and blue slate, from this county and Westmoreland into 
Yorkshire, while the butter, cheese, and barley, were to return by Darlington and 
Barnard Castle, into the dales and western country. 

In 1810, Bailey thought it feasible that a canal for the conveyance of coals might 
favourably be made by taking the deep dene called Thristleden Dene, a little east of 
Ferryhill, as the highest poiptf, and proceeding westward on a level through the coal 
district. A conveyance from the dene to Morden carrs would be easily obtained by two 
or three locks, through which carrs a level line might be taken to the turnpike road 
near Sedgefield, and another to near Rickneld mill, and thence by a few locks to 
Darlington. 

In the same year, after the dinner to celebrate the opening of the new cut at 
Stockton, (Sept. 18,) there was a general meeting, at which a committee was appointed 
to enquire into the practicability and advantage of a railway or canal from Stockton by 
Darlington to Winston. The committee reported on the 17 Jan., 1812, to "a meeting of 
gentlemen, merchants, and others," held in Darlington, (George Allan, esq., of the 
Grange, being in the chair,) and Mr. Rennie was appointed to make a survey and 
report on the comparative advantages of the two measures. Another committee was 
formed. George Allan, esq., Grange ; John Allan, esq., Blackwell ; Mr. Jonathan 
Backhouse, jun. ; Mr. Robert Botcherby ; George Lewis Hollings worth, esq.; Mr. 
William Kitching ; Mr. Edward Pease : Mr. Joseph Pease ; Mr. Bright Wass, all 
of Darlington ; vv'illiam Chaytor, esq., Croft; &c, were the gentlemen from this 
neighbourhood in the list, which is spread over a wide tract of country. 

In 1812, or 1813, a survey was accordingly again made for a canal from Darlington 
to Stockton, by Renie, which was to cost 95,600/. Some commercial disasters in the 
county of Durham rendered the execution of the great engineer's plans hopeless. He 
at last thought a tramroad preferable to the canal. In 1816, an iron railway from 
Darlington to Winston was conceived, to cost 45,860/. 



See Bailey's Durham. 



RAILWAYS. 361 

All these lines included Darlington en route. In 1818, Christopher Tennant, esq., of 
Stockton, engaged Mr. Leather to make a survey for a canal from the Tees near 
Portrack to the Gaunless near Evenwood Bridge, by the Billingham beck, and Rushy- 
ford. Length, 29 j miles : rise, 442 feet : locks, 50. The Skerne was to be conveyed 
under the canal by an inverted siphon. Estimated cost, 205,283£. A drainage clause 
for Morden carrs was proposed. The required land it was thought might be bought at 
40/. an acre ! A branch was talked of to run from Bradbury to near the Wear at 
Tudhoe, for the city of Durham, 9 miles 6 furlongs in length, 25 feet rise, and taking- 
land at 35£. per acre, to cost 35,812/. 45. At a public meeting in Stockton, 9 July, 
1818, Mr. Tennant propounded the scheme and read the engineer's report. The meet- 
ing was delighted ; it testified approbation of Mr. Tennant's disinterested motives in 
procuring a survey at his own expense and bringing forward the measure ; and 
appointed a committee to print the report and convene a general meeting on July 31. 
On that committee were " E. Pease, Jona. Backhouse."* 

At this meeting (the Earl of Strathmore in the chair) it was resolved that application 
should be made so parliament for an act authorising a company to make the canal from 
Portrack to Evenwood Bridge, if two-thirds of the estimated cost was subscribed before 
1 Jan. 1819. In November, a deputation (Messrs. Cartwright, Crowe, and Tennant,) 
attended a meeting in London for promoting the measure, but were unsuccessful in 
raising the necessary subscription. The scheme, therefore, fell to the ground,f and 
fortunate it was so, for a more disastrous scheme could not have been devised. At a 
subsequent period Mr. Tennant suggested a line of railway in room of this canal, for 
which an act was obtained in 1828, called the Clarence railway. 

The advocates for the Darlington route awoke. By their opposition the canal 
project fell through ; but it had determined the hesitation to improve transit. In the 
course of enquiry for a canal to Darlington Rennie's plan had again been brought 
forward, and an anonymous writer, supposed to have been Mr. R. Miles of Yarm, 
kindly " ventured to submit" whether a railroad might not be preferable. The notion 
soon became general. + 

A meeting was held in Darlington, Sept. 4, which directed estimates to be made for 
a line from Stockton by Darlington to the collieries, with branches to Yarm, Croft, and 
Piersebridge, as well by the joint mode of having a canal and railway as by railway the 
whole distance. § The committee the same year, 1818, published a report and after- 
wards some observations on the new plan. At that time they considered that coals 
could not be shipped on the Tees on so low terms as on the Tyne and Wear, and that 
no increase of revenue could be expected from exportation. || Mr. Geo. Overton, of 
South Wales, and Mr. David Davis, made the surveys. The estimated expense was 
82,000/. The line led from Stockton via Darlington, Summerhouse, Ingleton, and 
Hilton, to the West Auckland coal field, and the company went to parliament in 1819, 
but were defeated in the Commons through the influence of the landowners, headed by 
the Earl of Darlington, by a majority of 13, the numbers being 100 and 93. Overton 
then altered his track, and planned a line by School Aycliffe, Middridge Grange, and 
Shildon, to West Auckland and the collieries ; but when this bill was before parliament, 
George III. died (1820), and the measure w T as postponed till 1821, when the first act was 
passed. George Stephenson was then called in, projected great improvements, and was 

* Printed report. 

*f* A second report by Mr. Leather had been ordered by the committee on the Stockton 
and Auckland canal, and they engaged Messrs. Buddie, Fenwick, and Steel, great coal- 
viewers near Newcastle, to examine the Auckland coals. The statements of these 
gentlemen were published in the closing part of the year 1818. Mr. Leather thought it 
was not an extravagant supposition that 100,000 tons, or one 28th part of their export from 
the Tyne and Wear, would be exported from the Tees. The highest price in London for 
Newcastle coal (Russell's, and the various Wallsend coals) per chaldron, free on board, 
was then 34s. In the field then surveyed, the coal-viewers thought 28s. the highest price, 
free on board, in the Tyne and Wear, and the coals to bring that price were from the old 
engine pit, (Eden Main Colliery,) and Norwood. Those from Blackboy (afterwards Tees 
Wallsend) were put down at 235-, and they shewed the little value of the viewers' opinion, 
for they afterwards brought the second price in London. 

t Gateshead Observer, 11 Sep. 1852, 

§ A rival scheme was sprung in Stockton, on the abandonment of the canal project, 
ofDec. 15 ; and a committee appointed to enquire into the expediency of a railway on 
the most, direct road to the collieries. This Stockton and Auckland Railway was aban- 
doned, 14 Dec. 1819, on the Darlington committee making some concessions advantageous 
to the public. 

|| Estimated home consumption in tons, Darlington, 40,794: Yarm, 13,000; Stockton, 
29,000. Total, 82,794 tons, to be despatched annually from the collieries. Out of the 
allowance to Stockton, it was presumed 14,500 tons would go into Cleveland. 

3l 



362 



TRANSIT. 



appointed engineer to execute the entire work. His alterations were sanctioned by an 
act of 1823. 

The act then passed in 1821. It was "for making and maintaining a railway or 
tramroad, from the river Tees at Stockton to Witton Park colliery, with several 
branches therefrom, all in the county of Durham." The first rail was laid by Thomas 
Meynell, esq., of Yarm, near St. John's well, Stockton, where the depot for coal was 
afterwards erected, 23 May, 1822, with public ceremony and rejoicing. George 
Stephenson was retained. He had got leave to go from Killingworth to lay down a 
railway at Hetton, and now he came to Darlington. The works were rapidly 
completed. In 1824, in parnership with his son Robert, Messrs. Pease, of Darlington, 
and Mr. Michael Longridge, Mr. Stephenson founded that famous engine-building 
establishment at Newcastle, which has had so long a run of prosperity ; and on Sept. 
27, 1825, the railway was to be opened, and a locomotive engine was to be the instru- 
ment. The work was then a single line of rails, 25 miles in length. It extended from 
Witton Park and Etherley, near West Auckland, to Stockton-upon-Tees, with branches 
to Darlington, Yarm, &c, and was chiefly composed of malleable iron rails. At the 
western extremity of the line a deep ravine occurred at the river Gaundless ; on the 
summit of the hills on each side of which a permanent steam-engine was fixed. The 
engine on the western side of the vale was called the Etherley engine, and that on the 
eastern side the Brusselton engine. The latter, in addition to conveying the goods up 
from West Auckland, continued the transit down the eastern side of the ridge : below 
this, to the east, the conveyance was performed by locomotive engines. The proprietors 
were to assemble at the permanent steam-engine below Brusselton Tower, about nine 
miles west of Darlington, at eight o'clock. Accordingly, the committee, after inspecting 
the Etherley engine plane, assembled at the bottom of Brusselton engine plane, near 
West Auckland, and the carriages, loaded with coals and merchandise, were drawn up 
the eastern ridge by the Brusselton engine, a distance of 1960 yards, in seven and a 
half minutes, and then lowered down the plane on the east side of the hill 880 yards in 
five minutes. At the foot of the plane the locomotive engine was ready to received the 
carriages ; and here the novelty of the scene had attracted an immense concourse of 
spectators — the fields on each side of the railway being literally covered with ladies and 
gentlemen on horseback, and pedestrians of all kinds. The train of carriages was then 
attached to Stephenson's locomotive engine, in the folio wing order : — Locomotive engine, 
with the Engineer (Mr Stephenson) and assistants. Tender, with coal and water. Six 
waggons loaded with coals and flour. A covered coach, with the committee and 
proprietors.* Twenty-one waggons, fitted up for passengers ; and last by six waggons 
loaded with coals, — making a train of thirty-eight carriages, exclusive of the engine and 
tender. Tickets were distributed to the number of near 300, for those whom it was 
intended should occupy the coach and waggons ; but both loaded and empty carriages 
were instantly filled with passagers. The engine started off and the scene became most 
interesting — the horsemen galloping across the fields to accompany the engine, and the 
people on foot endeavouring in vain to keep up with the cavalcade. On this descending 
part of the Railway it was wished to ascertain at what rate of speed the engine could 
travel with safety. The speed was frequently twelve, and for a short distance near 
Darlington, fifteen miles per hour ; and at that time the number of passengers was 
counted to 450, which, together with the coals, merchandize, and carriages, would amount 
to near ninety tons. The train arrived at Darlington, a distance of eight miles and three 
quarters, in sixty-five minutes, exclusive of stops, averaging, about eight miles an hour. 
Six carriages of coals, for Darlington, were left ; and after obtaining fresh water, and 
accommodating a band of music and passengers from Darlington, the engine set off 
again. The Railway from Darlington to Stockton in one place is quite level ; and as in 
the upper part, it was intended to try the speed of the engine ; in this part it was 
proposed to prove its powers of draught. The engine arrived at Stockton in three hours 
and seven minutes after leaving Darlington, including stops, the distance being nearly 
twelve miles, and upon the level part of the Railway, the number of passengers in the 
waggons was counted about 550, and several more clung to the carriages on each side, 
so that the whole number could not be less than 600, which, with the other load, would 
amount to about eighty tons. The fields, lanes, and bridges, were covered with 
spectators. The procession was not joined by many horses and carriages, until it 
approached within a few miles of Stockton. Here, the situation of the Railway, which 
runs parallel and close to the Turnpike-road, gave a fine opportunity of viewing the 
procession. Numerous horses and vehicles travelled with the train, in some places 
within a few yards, without the horses seeming frightened ; and the passengers by the 
engine had the pleasure of cheering their brother passengers by the stage-coach, which 
passed alongside, and of observing the contrast between the engine with her six hundred 



A table ran down its centre. 



RAILWAYS. 363 

passengers and load, and the coach with four horses, and only sixteen passengers. Part 
of the workmen were entertained at Stockton, and part at Yarm, and there was a dinner 
for the proprietors and their more distinguished guests at the Town Hall, in Stockton. 
Mr Meynell was in the chair, and the Mayor of the town acted as vice-president. 

The railway cost about 125,000/. It was the property of sixty shareholders. 

The great starting point of steam locomotion on public railways is the opening of the 
Stockton and Darlington line, yet men did not grasp the invention or pay extraordinary 
attention to it at that time. The locomotives were worked by vertical cylinders, and 
the motion was communicated to the wheels by an endless chain. Their power 
was not one-tenth of some of the present locomotives, and their greatest speed was 
some eight miles an hour. A directory of 1827 mentions that several coaches drawn 
by horses, travelled daily, at the rate of seven to nine miles an hour on this rail- 
road, from Darlington to Stockton ; while six locomotives engines were employed 
in the transit of goods. The reason for not employing steam-power to passenger 
traffic was, I presume, of a financial complexion. My readers will remember what 
a long time elapsed before the Clarence Railway had anything more than a 
horse-coach to its northern terminus, although, it had become the ordinary route 
from Stockton to Newcastle. A train of coaches was a speculation of unheard 
of risk in the early days of the Stockton and Darlington. Passengers were not 
courted ; almost they came uncalled for if they came at all. An old stage coach, 
mounted upon a strong frame of railway wheels, with no springs, was the only 
accommodation conceded. The distinction of outside and inside passengers was 
retained. Road stations were unknown, for the coach conveniently stopped where 
you would. 

" The coach had no springs of any kind, and yet the motion v?&s fully as easy as in 
any coach on the road. A very slight jolt is felt, accompanied with a click or rattle, 
every time the wheels pass over the joints of the several rails and also at the breaks 
which occur at the different passing places, and then, if anything, feel harsher than in 
a coach. ... At any bends of the road, or other places where the view is obstructed, 
the coachman blows a horn to give warning of his approach, to any waggons or vehicles 
that may be coming or going on the way. . . . Some parts of the way were laid with 
rails of cast-iron, joined at every four feet, and in coming upon these, the jerks and 
jolts were more frequent, more audible, and more sensible, resembling exactly, as the 
coachman justly observed to us, the clinking of a mill hopper." The journey from 
Darlington to Stockton occupied about an hour and a quarter. 

The processional engine mentioned above, the first employed on a public railway, and 
the first employed for the transport of passengers, is, I believe, in existence still. 

In 1846, it was brought out to head the procession at the opening of the Middlesbrough 
and Redcar Railway. I have myself seen another of Stephenson's early engines (1826, 
I was told was its date) in active and ordinary employment on the Springwell and 
Jarrow colliery line,* an ugly square and comical object enough ; and I understood that 
a still more ancient engine was in use on the same line. 

All kinds of rails and chairs have been used on this line ; and some very antiquated 
specimens may yet be seen in use upon some of the sidings or branches where the traffic 
is not great. The original rails were for a few miles of cast iron, in lengths of about 
4 to 5 feet, weighing 56 lbs. per yard. The remainder were of malleable iron, of the 
fish-belly pattern, or Birkinshaw's patent, made at Bedlington, and costing £12 10s. 
per ton. They weighed 28 lbs. per yard. Those now in use weigh 75 lbs., and cost 
£5 10s. per ton. On the York and Berwick and other new lines 80 lb. rails are becoming 
general. 

On 27 Oct., 1829, the Croft branch was opened with an interesting procession. It 
consisted of numerous coaches, each drawn by one horse, crowded with from 30 to 50 
passengers, and supplied with banners. These were followed by a train of waggons, 
laden with coals from every different mine, for the supply of the North Riding. The 
company gave a cold collation at the Croft Spa Hotel. Mr. Mewburn, their solicitor, 
was in the chair, and in one of his speeches on the occasion he ventured to prophesy 
that in a few years a railway would be made from Darlington to London, and so quick 
would be the travelling that passengers would leave the former place in the morning, 
arrive in London in time to go to the opera, and return home next day ! This 
prophecy was received with shouts of laughter. 

On May 1, 1830, the Haggar Leazes branch was opened. It extended from West 
Auckland to Cockfield Fell, and thence in the direction of Butterknowl Colliery, in all 
a distance of five miles, and was finally completed and opened for full traffic on Oct. 30 
following. 

On Jan. 1, 1831, a suspension bridge, erected by Captain Brown, R.N., over the Tees 

* It conveyed the members of the Archaeological Institute from Jarrow, in August, 1852. 



364 



TRANSIT. 



at Stockton, was completed for the passage of the railway. Great things were antici- 
pated from this unfortunate bridge, but where completed it was found not to be strong- 
enough even for twenty waggons, the number then stipulated for. The first trial was 
made with sixteen, upon which the bridge gave way ; i. e. as the sixteen carriages 
advanced upon the platform, the latter, yielding at first to their weight, became elevated 
in the middle, so as by degrees to form an apex, which was no sooner surmounted by 
half the number than the couplings broke asunder, and eight carriages rolled one way, 
and eight another — the one set onward on their way, and the other back again. In 
consequence of this misadventure, the co struction was necessarily altered, the platform 
remaining suspended as before, but being fortified underneath by four starlings, upon 
which it was supported .* The 
bridge then received an indefi- 
nite number of waggons. It 
was 274 feet long, 25 broad, and 
60 high. 

The truth was, that the same 
parties who took the warmest 
interest in the line had founded 
a new capital of the port of Tees. 
Its history belongs to Cleveland, 
but must be briefly glanced at 
here. The far sighted Friends 
found that Stockton like New- 
castle was more suitable for the 
trade of ancient days — when 
ships were multitudinous at 
York ! — than it was for their 
purposes ; that the water was 
deeper, and the facilities for 
shipping was better lower down 
the river, at a decayed vill of 
some three or four farm-houses. 
They had vast facilities of di- 
verting trade to the new town, 
therefore the proprietorship of 
the site must be profitable; and 
Stockton should not complain, 
as it had not been an export 
place for coals. Accordingly in 
1829, a company purchased the 
Middleburgh (or as, from some 
unaccountable and tasteless 
whim, it was now written, Mid- 
dlesbrough) Estate, some 500 
acres. In 1830, coal was first 
shipped from Middlesbrough. 
An immense entire coal, weigh- 
ing upwards of two tons, was 
sent down by the railway from 
the Black Boy Colliery, calcu- 
lated when broken to make two 
London chaldrons. 

Middlesbrough of course pros- 
pered. Building sites sold from 
20s. to 30s. the square yard. 
The coals were shipped by 
staithes, or drops, which were 
a great attraction to the curious. 
The waggons were lifted on a 
platform 20 feet high, and low- 
ered to the ship's deck.f A 
commodious dock succeeded this 
arrangement in 1842, contain- 




* Head's Heme Tour, 1836. 
t See Head's Home Tour for a full account. 



RAILWAYS. 365 

ing an area of nine"acres. A branch railway terminates in ten threefold lines leading 
to ten drops on the dock. The triangle covered by these diverging lines affords stand- 
ing room for 3,000 loaded waggons, or more than 9,000 tons of coal. 

The old farm-house in the town lasted long after its solitude had departed. When it 
was pulled down, the walls of the desecrated chapel of the ancient vill were discovered. 
It was in the perpendicular style (I annex a drawing of one of the windows) ; earlier 
mouldings were however tossing about, one or two zigzagged ones carrying us to the 
Norman period, when Robert de Brus gave the edifice to Whitby Abbey as a cell. 

From 1801 to 1S41, the populatiou of Middlesbrough had risen from 25 to 5.809 ; 
and in 1S51 amounted to about 9,000. Its permanency in importance seems fixed by 
the splendid discovery of surface ironstone all around it. Bolckow and Vaughan have 
enormous ironworks here. 

While all these things were going on, the rival railway, which kept the northerly 
route, something on the plan of Tennant's exploded canal, had sprung up, called the 
Clarence Railway. The plan was unsuccessful, more from mismanagement, I am told, 
than from lack of good levels or line. The Company guiding it tried to rival Middles- 
brough by a "Port Clarence," or more popularly and antiquely "Samphire Batts, ' 
just opposite the creation of the Friends. It never attracted much notice or trade, and 
is an unsalubrious and mean place. The Clarence Railway was afterwards leased to 
the Stockton and Hartlepool Company, and is an important part of the route from Leeds 
to Ferry Hill, since the Leeds Northern Company completed their line from Leeds to 
Stockton. 

We must now recede in the order of time and look at the changes which had taken 
place in the mode of giving motion to the merchandise which thus raised towns at 
command. We have seen the comparative slow 7 pace of George Stephenson's early 
engines. Their maker knew that their speed might be accelerated, but he dared not do 
so. The people interested would not hear of it, becase they were afraid that others 
would consider them in the light of demented folk. Every one knows how Stephenson 
had to submit to the suppressio veri process in connexion with the Liverpool and 
Manchester railway, in order not to put a " cross on the concern." He had attained a 
glimmering idea of great attainable speed. " It was not, ' says he, " an easy task for 
me to keep the engine down to ten miles an hour ; but it must be done, and I did my 
best." The parliamentary committees still, however, thought him mad. The memory 
of the days when the enormous speed of stage coaches wa^s blamed for the apoplexy of 
some of their passengers had not passed entirely away. 

Although the Stockton and Darlington railway commenced with two locomotive 
engines, the traffic in coals soon exceeded their capabilities and a great amount of 
traffic was hauled by horse power. 

The coal field being situated fully 320 feet above the level of the tidal river where 
the coals are put on board ship necessarily gives a descending line of railway, and for 
several miles the inclination is such that the laden waggons will run of themselves, or, 
more scientifically speaking, by the force of gravitation. But although the laden 
waggons require no power on such parts to take the coals to the place of shipment, the 
empty wagons must be hauled back, and, for this purpose, the horses had to trot down 
to be ready to begin their work, and inasmuch as the laden wagons were suffered to run 
down at a rate of six or eight miles an hour, heavy work-horses were soon fatigued 
by the down journey. Some one ingeniously suggested that it would be a great saving 
of horse-labour to let them ride down those portions of the line where the descending 
gradient was sufficient to make the waggons run without any dragging or hauling. For 
each horse a homely waggon, with low wheels, railed on all sides but at one end, 
ironically called a dandy cart, was constructed ; and although the poor brute might 
question why he was through coaxing and whipping made to mount himself into such 
a novel situation, yet such is the sagacity of the horse that the species very soon 
discovered that it was easier and more pleasant to ride than to walk, and in some 
instances became very expert in getting into the dandy carriages even when in motion, 
having been taught that if they did not display some alacrity in mounting that they 
would have to run on foot several miles. There was in 1836 an old horse employed in 
this " cart before the horse*' fashion upon the Stockton and Darlington line. On being 
unhitched, he invariably first allowed the carriages to pass him, and then trotting after 
the train leaped on to the low dandy of his own accord ; and he performed the feat not 
only without urging, but on the contrary, with so much eagerness as to render it diffi- 
cult to keep him off, although the carriage was two feet from the ground, and the 
progressive rate nearly five miles an hour. A basket of hay was suspended on the dandy, 
and therefore the only wonderful part of the ceremony was its performance.* 

* Head's Home Tour. 



366 



TRANSIT. 



In 1842 the Shildon tunnel, near Bishop Auckland, was opened with great rejoicings. 
Before that time the coals had been conveyed along two inclines, called the Black Boy 
and the Brusselton inclines. This operation was frequently found to be attended with 
great delay ; and to be injurious likewise to the waggons and coals. To obviate these 
inconveniences and loss, a company projected the formation of a tunnel beneath the 
hilly ground on which New Shildon stands ; and after making the necessary prepara- 
tions, the work was commenced on the 23rd of April, 1839 ; twenty-one months only 
being occupied in its construction. It is 1,300 yards long, or nearly three quarters of a 
mile. Its height is 23 feet 4 inches, and its breadth 21 feet at the point whence the 
arch springs. The greatest depth from the surface is about 20 fathoms. The tunnel is 
constructed for two lines of railway ; and, during its formation, was worked by seven 
shafts from the surface. 

Another alteration was effected in 1844, by the removal of the old suspension bridge 
and its mass of wooden supports. A flat iron bridge on stone pillars was substituted ; 
and, to the great amusement of the Stocktonians, some of whom regretted the loss of the 
picturesque failure on the suspension principle, supports of wood were speedily 
annexed to the new bridge, in consequence of the failure of one in a Cheshire railway 
on the same plan having been attended by loss of life. 

The Stockton and Darlington railway had now received adjuncts in the shape of the 
Wear Valley railway at one end, and the Middlesbro' and Redcar railway at the other. 
These with the branches made the length of the line under the control of the company 
90 miles, nearly 40 miles belonging to the Stockton and Darlington railway proper.* 

The Company paid £8,200 per annum to the Tees Navigation Company, under a 
lease (dated 1845) of the tolls on the river. This they did to make the river free, as far 
as regarded coals shipped from their works, or by arrangement with them. The dues 
arising at Port Clarence consequently fell from ,£4,000 to about £7 per annum, the coal- 
owners on the north side refusing to pay the sum towards the rent that those on the 
south did. In 1821, when the lease was nearly expiring, the Company wished to obtain 
a Tees Conservancy Act, paying off the Tees Navigation Company, and taking the 
management of the river upon themselves. This scheme has been set aside by the Tees 
Navigation Company promoting a Bill of their own for a River Commission. The happy 
scite of Hartlepool, and the circumstance of the Leeds Northern Railway favouring 
both it and the port of Tees, render it the effect of all the exertions made by various 
parties very uncertain. Whatever may be the tendency of the coal trade, the Tees has 
one great element of success, the iron of Cleveland — that immense tract of surface ore 
which has slept unheeded for centuries, and now is revolutionizing the aboriginal society 
it lies among. The Middlesbrough and Guisbrough Railway will branch from the old 
father Stockton and Darlington, along which the ore is conveyed to the furnaces in the 
west part of Durham County, where the iron mines are discontinued for the more easily 
wrought wealth of Cleveland. 

There is much room for thought in all this. I leave my readers to their own reflec- 
tions. Darlington and its Friends have set in motion a vast motive power, and what 
shall the end be 1 

" From what small causes do great matters spring !" 

The success of the Stockton and Darlington experiment was instantly apparent in its 
results — a host of similar experiments. In 1823, an anonymous pamphlet appeared in 
town, proposing a railway from London to Edinburgh, with branches to all the principal 
towns. In November, 1825, a plan was concocted at York for making a railway from 
Selby, via York to Newcastle and Sunderland, shortening the distance between the north 
and south limits twelve miles, and to carry goods at 3d. per ton, per mile, at six miles 
per hour. In 1827, some observations were published at Ripon, on the " advantages of 
the continuation of the Stockton and Darlington Railway from Croft Bridge to the City 
of York," which had been proposed in the York Herald in December, 1826. 

This scheme assumed a tangible form by an Act passed in 1836, which incorporated 
the Great North of England Railway Company. The Company intended a thorough 
line from Newcastle to York, with a branch from Woodend, near Thirsk, to Leeds ; and 
Mr. Thomas Storey, C.E., planned the route accordingly. The act enabled them to 
make the most difficult portion, that from Croft to Newcastle, that being surveyed first, 
in order to allow more time for its proper execution. It was an excellent line, passing 
close east of Durham, west of Chester-le-Street, and arriving at the Tyne by the course 
known as that of the Team Valley. The circumstance of the railway forming part of 
the great line of communication from London to Edinburgh, coupled with pecuniary 



* The traffic on this line in 1851 is said to have been, at least, 1,500,000 tons. 



RAILWAYS. 367 

motives, altered the intention of the promoters to make the north section first. They 
resolved to bring up the railway convenience from London to Darlington by the construc- 
tion of the longer but cheaper section to the south, and an act was obtained for the line 
from York to Darlington. This straight and beautiful road was opened first for coal, 
and afterwards for passengers in 1811, and Yoikshire received the rich Auckland dia- 
monds. The passenger train at the opening went the distance 44£ miles in little more 
than three hours, including rather long stoppages. Then came the halcyon days of the 
King's Head, where passengers arrived from London, and stayed all night at Darlington 
for the ordinary coaches in the morning. 

The Croft branch of the Stockton and Darlington Company was partially occupied 
by the Great North of England Company, who purchased it. 

* The formation of the line from York to Darlington, comparatively facile as it was, 
had infringed so much on the means of the company, that they relinquished the idea of 
completing their line to Newcastle : and a separate body, the Newcastle and Darlington 
Junction Railway Company, arose for the purpose of purchasing such lines as were 
tolerably en route, and completing the chain of communication. The minutiae of this 
undertaking do not enter into my jurisdiction. The line was opened in 1844, by a train 
arriving in Gateshead from London in 9| hours only* (303 miles). Branches were thrown 
from the Great North of England line to Richmond, Bedale, and Boroughbridge. An 
arrangement was then entered into for the lease and eventual sale of that line to the 
Newcastle and Darlington Junction Company, who assumed the style first of the York 
and Newcastle Railway Company, and afterwards by another annexation that of the 
York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway Company .f 

Thus Darlington has had much to associate it with that wondrous system which 
threatens to annihilate time and space. The Stockton and Darlington has grown from 
a little line into a vast one ; it commences in a mountain 1,600 feet above the level of 
the sea, and terminates on the sea shore. The first passenger railway coach, omnibus 
fashion, with a table running down the middle, " the Experiment, ' is succeeded by a set 
of far more handsome and clean carriages than are to be met with on the majority of 
more ostentatious railways. " The Active," No. 1 engine ; which in a distance of four 
miles, in 1825, beat the road coach by 100 yards only and in 1846, at the opening of 
the Redcar railway, occupied 35 minutes in traversing 8 miles, although only one 
passenger carriage and two trucks were attached ; was accompanied on the same 
occasion by the celebrated " A " which ran against the broad guage engine and won 
the day for the ancient width. The express runs the 45 miles between York and 
Darlington in 40 minutes ! And all this springs from George Stephenson and The 
Stockton and Darlington Railway. 

Hence traffic flowed — the flag of truce unfurled, 

And, with new pinions, commerce skimmed the world, 

As meteor-like her fiery engines flew, 

O'erleaped the bourn or pierced the mountain through. 

Let nobles fight — let monarchs war for fame, 

The w orld resounds our great mechanic's name ! 

We claim for Darlington the railway meed, 

She formed the nucleus, she foretold the speed 

In after years, by competition gained 

As science rose, and peace her palm attained. 

*The ordinary expresses now do the distance in nine hours. 

f Much romance is attached to the blocking up of the line from Darlington to Newcastle 
by snow, in Dec. 1846, but the varied fates of the trains and exploratory engines belong 
rather to the history of Gateshead. It may, however, be mentioned that the express train 
from the South being blocked at Washington, on Tuesday evening, and deserted by all the 
passengers, the last ones departing under the guidance of the engine-drivers at noon on 
Wednesday ; William Donaldson, of Darlington, the guard, stayed true to his duty till 
Thursday afternoon, never leaving the train till it was reached by the excavators and 
conducted to Gateshead, thus faring the inclemency of two nights and nearly two days. 
The mail-bags from Newcastle to Darlington were despatched at two o'clock, on Wednesday 
morning, by post-chaise, and were eighteen hours on the road. An attempt by the same 
mode from Darlington, at eleven the same morning, failed a mile north of Aycliffe. On 
Thursday morning, a chaise with the mails again started at ten, and arrived in Newcastle 
at six in the evening. The next mails from Newcastle were sent to Carlisle, where they 
met the west mail going south. The principal cause of failure both in the ordinary trains 
and the exploratory ones was the destruction of friction. Successive layers of snow drifts 
are compressed by each engine, until all adhesion is destoyed, and the steam is exhausted 
in merely turning round the driving wheels without progress. At Washington, on stop- 
page, the snow gathered round the engines and soon extinguished the fires. 



368 



TRANSIT. 



And now the olive's waving in the breeze, 
The electric chord connects the distant seas ! 
Transmits its embassies as lightning flies, 
With power invisible our wants supplies : 
Whilst soft vibrations sweep the extensive wire, 
And harmonize the world's iEolian lyre. 

T. E. Abbott. 



II. AGRICULTURE. 



On the agriculture of this district, the multitudinous publications of the present 
day render unnecessary any lengthened observations. These writings, the numerous 
meetings of the agricultural societies, and, above all, the introduction of railways, have 
assimilated the practice of farming more than was formerly the case. 

The soil here is various, the vallies of the Tees and Skerne consisting of very fine 
deep alluvial soil ; while to the eastward and running for some miles is a tract of thin 
clay of exceeding poverty. It is difficult to conceive how much of it can pay for 
cultivation. Lands of this description, and the better kinds of strong clay, are divided 
into farms generally of from 100 to 200 acres. That quantity is fully as much as the 
farmer's family, having but little external assistance, except at harvest, can manage. 
The farm-buildings are poor, and the tenants are too often in a similar predicament. 
Fallow, wheat, and oats constituted for ages the rotation ; no help being afforded by 
artificial manures. Thes-, indeed, are of recent introduction, and have given a very strong 
impetus to agriculture ; but bones do not particularly suit undrained clays, as, in 
becoming pasted over, their proper decomposition is thereby prevented. Thorough 
draining is gradually improving the system ; but. as there is a strong and perhaps 
well-founded opinion that turnips cannot be cultivated with profit, the progress is 
comparatively slow. There is the usual controversy in the neighbourhood as to the 
merits of deep and shallow draining ; four feet being called deep, and two feet shallow. 
Deep drains at thirty feet or more apart, where the soil is of a porous nature, are 
generally approved ; but, on strong pasty clays, it is thought that drains two and a 
half feet deep, and fourteen feet or so apart, are much more effectual. It is certain that 
this is almost the universal view of the labourers who dig the drains ; and, when the 
strong chemical affinity tbat clay has for water is taken into account, it seems 
impossible to get the water off the land too fast. When all is done, it cannot be so 
dry as naturally dry land. If turnips are grown upon it, they cannot be fed off with 
sheep advantageously, for, not only is the condition of the land inj ured by treading, 
but it is too cold a bed for the animals to lie upon, and so greatly injures their progress 
in feeding. This very important consideration, which may make all the difference 
between profit and loss, seems scarcely to have received the attention it deserves. Many 
of these clays are of a nature which, except perhaps in the extent of their fertility, has 
been most accurately described by Baron Leibig: — " Finally, there are certain kinds of 
soil, which ought, from their chemical composition, to be very fertile ; but which, on 
the contrary, are sterile for many kinds of plants. Such soils are those that consist of 
clay mixed with a large quantity of very fine sand. Such a soil converts itself into a 
kind of mud after a heavy fall of rain ; and this prevents all accesses of air, and it 
dries without much contraction ."* On the deep alluvial soils, the rotation generally 
commences with turnips, led off and partially consumed upon the old grass, by sheep 
and cattle, but mainly by cattle in stalls, loose boxes, or straw yards ; as it is not firm 
enough for sheep, which sink deep in wet weather. Barley or eats succeed, with seeds 
and spring wheat — the introduction of spring-sown wheat having taken place about 
one hundred and twenty years ago, and been chiefly promoted by the imposition of the 
malt tax. After the seeds comes winter wheat, or oats, as the case may be. This is 
called a four-course shift or rotation, which is varied occasionally with potatoes and 
beans. 



* Chemistry in its Applications to Agriculture, 3rd edit. : folio 137. 



AGRICULTURE. 369 

The rotations on the clays are more difficult of management. A bare fallow is the 
usual and most effectual mode of extirpating weeds, and producing such a good mecha- 
nical state and disintegration of particles, by atmospheric exposure, as will last for four 
or more years, when it should again be renewed. This period may be prolonged by good 
drainage, turnips are, to a small extent, cultivated with doubtful success ; after which 
the land should be twice ploughed for oats or barley, if the condition is good, and seeds 
sown. These may be pastured with sheep the following summer, and sometimes to the 
second spring, and then fallowed for winter wheat. Green crops, as tares, &c. may be 
fed off in summer where the land is dry, but in no other season with advantage. On 
these lands lime has been for ages nearly the only manure led, and the consequence has 
been their gradual but certain deterioration. A better system is now beginning to 
prevail, and manures that accumulate, as it were, riches in the soil, are more used : 
whereas lime is a stimulant and exhauster, promoting good crops for a time, but in each 
crop making the land poorer. Lime however, as a necessary ingredient in all crops 
should never be wanting, and it often improves the quality, when it does not add to the 
quantity, of the crop. 

Corn, on the good land, is sown with the drill, but the hand or broadcast sowing is 
almost universal on the strong soils, and is perhaps as good as any other method, where 
the quantity of seed used cannot be so nicely regulated as on dry iand. 

In the immediate neighbourhood of the town of Darlington is a great quantity of very 
fine old grass, which is well manured and mown for hay, and the after grass depastured. 
A traveller between Edinburgh and London, more than one hundred years ago, noticed, 
that "the land about Darlington was rich/' and that "they practised a method of 
feeding in sheds," at that time very rare indeed ; proving, in this respect, that they 
were rather in advance of the age than otherwise. The fame of the district must now 
rest upon former honours, for in a science where all are striving so assiduously for 
advancement, none can hope long to enjoy any peculiar pre-eminence. 

There was once a very large breed of sheep, in the southern part of the County of 
Durham, called Tees- water sheep. They often weighed from fifty to sixty lbs. ' the 
quarter, and bore very heavy .fleeces, but the improved breed of Leicesters has nearly 
superseded them, coming earlier to maturity, and therefore more profitable ; whilst the 
public taste for large and intensely fat meat has sensibly declined. What are called 
half-bred sheep are now the fashion, being a cross between the black-faced moor sheep 
and the Leicester race ; the pure Leicester even being deemed too large and fat, and 
selling for less money per lb. in the market. The Tees-water sheep may be said to be 
numbered with the things that were, but improved Durham short-horned cattle stand at 
the head of all other breeds for symmetry, beauty, and excellent qualities of feeding and 
milking, and supply almost entirely the large dairies of London and other towns. 
They will yield sometimes from twenty to thirty quarts of milk per day ; they will bear 
to be almost constantly tied up. and eat almost any kind of food. They can be made fit 
for the butcher so early, as in less than two years old, and in that time have reached as 
far as 65 stones of 14 lbs. The breed is said to have been originally from Holland, or, 
if indigenous, crossed repeatedly with a Dutch stock, as well as with the Scotch cattle, 
but, whatever the source/they have been extremely altered by a judicious selection in 
breeding, and very careful attention. The Messrs. Collings were amongst the earliest 
and most celebrated breeders of this stock, for which they realised enormous prices ; 
1000 guineas being given for the bull Comet, and 2000L refused by the owner for the 
celebrated Durham ox * The Collings were assisted and followed by several breeders of 
great celebrity, and, of late years, herds have been established all over the kingdom, 
and great numbers have been exported,! to almost all parts of the world, at 
very high prices.^ 



This, I think, is the proper place to introduce some lists of the local fauna and flora. 
Darlington, an old place of residence of the Friends, has, almost as a matter of course, 

* See page 303. 

t The Emersons of Eryholme, and Mr Thornton of Stapleton may especially be mentioned 
as chief breeders of fine cattle near Darlington at this day. The Belgian government has 
made large purchases at Darlington. On one occasion in 1846, Mr Thornton presented the 
King of Belgians with a splendid four years old ox, bred by himself. He excited much 
attention abroad, as many as 200 agriculturalists coming in a day to see it. When 
slaughtered it weighed 160 st. 10 lbs., and was presented by the king to the hospital of the 
aged poor people of Brussels. In 1849, a gold medal and letter was received by Mr. 
Thornton from his majesty as a mark of his remembrance and high satisfaction. 

$ I have to express my acknowledgments to Henry Chaytor, esq., for the very sufficient 
summary, in the text, on a subject 1 have no knowledge of myself. 

oM 



370 



FAUNA. 



had a sequence of naturalists. Stephen Robson, the second son of Thomas Robson, and 
Mary (formerly Hedley), his wife, of Darlington, and born 24 June, 1741, was the author 
of a useful British Botany. The title is " The British Flora, containing the select names, 
characters, places of growth, durations, and time of flowering, of the plants growing 
wild in Great Britain. To which are prefixed, the Principles of Botany, by Stephen 
Robson. — York, 1777." He married Ann Awmack in 1771, and had issue, Thomas 
Robson, living at Sunderland. His nephew, Edward Robson, the son of Thomas Robson, 
by his wife, Margaret (formerly Pease), was born at Darlington 17 October, 1763, 
married Elizabeth Dearman in 1788, and died 1813, leaving issue Dearman Robson, &c. 
Edward Robson was also an accomplished botanist and draughtsman. The lists of 
plants in Brewster's Stockton and Hutchinson's Durham are his. It would be invidious 
to attempt discrimination of living talent in such walks. 

I have acknowledged my debts in p. xciv of the division on families. I have not a 
late list of rarities in the Darlington flora, but I suspect they are so sorely extirpated, 
by necessary improvements in the soil, that the older lists will be thought more inte- 
resting every day, as hints of what straggling survivors of the ancient stocks may be 
expected. 



I. FAUNA. 



Mammalia. 

Pipistrelle Bat (common). 

Reddish grey Bat (Vespertilio Nattereri). 

Long-eared Bat (common). 

Water Shrew. 

Common Shrew. 

Hedgehog. 

Polecat (rare). 

Stoat. 

Weasel. 

Fox. 

Otter (now rare). 

The usual Rats and Mice. 

Mole. 

Hare. 

Rabbit. 

Birds. 

Eagle. An eagle alighted in the grounds at Southend some years ago. 
Kestrel Hawk (common). 
Sparrow Hawk (do.) 

Barn Owl— bred for some years in a dovecot in Northgate. 
Brown Owl (now very rare). 
Spotted Flycatcher (in summer). 
Missel Thrush (common). 
Song Thrush (do ). 
Blackbird (do.) 
Fieldfare (common in winter). 
Redwing (do.) 

Wheatear (occasionally seen). 
Whinchat (common). 
Redbreast (common). 
Redstart (frequent). 
Grasshopper Warbler (very rare). 
Sedge Warbler (Salicaria Phragmitis— not uncommon). 

Nightingale — a pair appeared many years ago at West Lodge, and were taken by a bird- 
catcher. 

Blackcap Warbler (common). 

Garden Warbler (do.) 

Whitethroat (do.) 

Lesser Whitethroat (not uncommon). 

Yellow Willow Wren (not uncommon). 

Willow Wren -\ 



Gold Crest 
Greater Tit 
Blue Tit ' v 

Cole Tit ' 

Marsh Tit 
Longtailed Tit i 
Hedge Sparrow J 



FAUNA. 37 j 

Pied Wagtail.— Common. Very few remain here during winter. 

Grey Wagtail. A few in winter. Breed in the higher parts of the county. 

Yellow Wagtail. — Common in summer. 

Tree Pipit. — Common. 

Meadow Pipit. — Common. 

Skylark.— Common. 

Greater Bunting. — Common. 

Blackheaded Bunting.— Common. 

Yellowhammer. — Common. 

Snow Bunting. — Appears in severe winters. 

Common Sparrow. 

Tree Sparrow. — Not uncommon. 

Chaffinch. — Common . 

Mountain Finch.— In severe winters often abundant. 

Siskin. — Rare. 

Goldfinch. — Not common. 

Linnet.— Common. 

Lesser Redpole — Common. 

Mealy Redpole. — Occasionally- 

Hawfinch. — Very Rare. 

Greenfinch. — Common. 

Crossbill.— Rare. 

Bullfinch . — Common . 

Starling "J 

Crow V Common. 

Rook j 

Hooded Crow.— Only occurs so far inland in very severe weather. 

Jackdaw. — Common. 

Magpie. do. 

Jay. — Occasionally. 

Green Woodpecker. — Very rare here. 

Waxen Chatterer — A number appeared about Darlington in 1787, and fed on haws, 
which were plentiful that year. None have since appeared. {Geo. Alia:. Fox's 
Synopsis, p. 204). 

Wryneck. — Occasionally. 

Nuthatch. — Rare. 

Creeper. — Common. 

Wren. do. 

Cuckoo. do. 

Nightjar.— Very rare here. 

Swift. — Common. 

Swallow "J 

Martin >• Common. 

Sandmartin. ) 

Kingfisher. — Not uncommon. 

Ring Dove. — Common. 

Pheasant. — Not often seen here. 

Partridge. — Common . 

Heron. — Not often seen. 

Bittern. — Now very rare. Formerly inhabited the Four Riggs bog- 
Green Sandpiper. — Rare. 

Common Sandpiper.— Occasionally. 

Woodcock 1 

Snipe VNow much less common than formerly. 

Jacksnipe J 

Water Rail. — In very severe winters. 

Corn Crake ^ 

Water Hen V Common. 

Peewit. J 

Golden Plover. — Occasionally. 

Wild Duck. do. 

Teal. do. 

Golden Eye Duck. — Rare. 

Goosander. — Formerly used to come up the Tees and Skerne. 

Little Grebe. — Occasionally. 

Black throated Diver.— One was got in the Skerne, near the town. 



Mollusca. 



Limax maximus. — Common in gardens. 

agrestis. do. 

Arion ater. do. 

hortensis. do. 

Vitrina pellucida.— In moist woods. 



372 



FLORA. 



Helix aspersa. — Common in gardens. 

arbustorum. — Common in hedges, 
nemoralis. do. do. 

hortensis. do do. 

pulchella.— Rare under stones. 
fulva. — Among moss, 
granulata. — Grass in moist places, 
hispida. — Nettles. 
concinna. do. 
rufescens. do. 
rotundata. — Under stones, 
pygmsea- — Among old leaves. 
Zonites cellarius. — Outhouses. 

nitidulus. — Moss in woods, 
lucidus. — Moss in bogs, 
crystallinus. — Among grass and leaves. 
Vertigo palustris. — Moss in bogs. 
Clausilia bidens. — Beech trees in woods. 

rugosa. — Woods. 
Zua lubrica. — Moss in woods. 
Azeca tridens.— do. 
Carychium minimum. — Old leaves in woods. 
Succinea putris.— Grass near water. 
Planorbis corneus — In a pond near the town, 
albus. — In a pond near Baydales. 
marginatus. — Common in ponds, 
imbricatus. — Ponds, 
spirorbis. — do. 
con tortus.— Ditches at Polam. 
Physa fontinalis.— Common in ponds. 

hypnorum — Sometimes in ponds. 
Limneus auricularis.— Polam pond ; fine. 

pereger. — Common in ponds and streams. 

" var. lacustris — Skerne at Polam. 

stagnalis. — Ditches at Polam. 
palustris. — do. 

Ancylus fluviatilis. — Cockerbeck. 
Cyclas corneus. — Common in ponds. 
Pisidium amnicum — Cockerbeck. 

pulchellum. — Cattle ponds sometimes, 
pusillum. — Ditches in bogs, 
nitidum. — Cattle ponds sometimes, 
obtusale. — do. 

Anodon Cygneus — In ponds and rivers, varying in size according to the locality, 
var. anatina.— do. 



II. FLORA. 

1. Extracted from Hutchinson 's Durham. The names are partially modernized 
for convenience of reference. 



Hippuris vulgaris. — In the Skerne at Darlington. 

Veronica scutellata— In Hill-close-carr, near Darlington, but scarce. 

Veronica montana.— In Dinsdale wood, near Darlington. 

Cladium Mariscus. — In Hell Kettles, near Darlington. 

Eriophorum vaginatum. — In Birch-carr, near Darlington. 

Galium boreale. — Near Darlington, but scarce. 

Potamogeton natans. ^ 

perfoliatus. 

lucens. 



} In the Skerne, near Darlington. 



cnspus. 

densus. 

compressus. I 

gramineus. I 

marinus. I 
Lysimachia vulgaris — By the Skerne, near Darlington, but scarce. 
Samolus Valeraudi. — Sparingly by the Skerne, near Darlington. 
Atropa Belladonna. — Near Piersbridge. 

RlbeS Sura } By the Skerne » and the latter bv the Tees in man y P laces - 

spicatum.— By the Tees, between Piersbridge and Gainford. Vide the paper 
and figure presented to the society. 



FLORA. 373 

Vinca minor.— Near Blackwell,but probably tbe outcast of a garden. 

Smyrnium Olusatrum. — By the Tees, near Hur worth. 

Parnassia palustris. — In wet places, common about Darlington. 

Liuum perenne. — In Baydales, near Darlington. 

Drosera rotundifolia. — In Birch-carr, near Darlington. 

Myosurus minimus. — Near Darlington, in one place only. 

Galanthus nivalis.— On the banks of the Tees, about Black well and Coniscliffe, in situa- 
tions which do not admit of its being the outcast of gardens. 

Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus. — Near Piersbridge. 

Allium oleraceum. — Baydales, near Darlington. 

Ornithogalum luteum. — By the Tees, near Piersbridge. 

Colchicum autumnale. — Near Darlington. 

Alisma ranunculoides. — In Hill-close-carr, near Darlington. 

Vacciuium Oxycoccos. — On Gilly-c/ate, near Darlington. [Durham ?] 

Butomus umbellatus. — In the Skerne, near Darlington. 

Pyrola rotundifolia. — In Birch-carr, near Darlington. 

Chrysospleniuin alternifolium.— In Baydales. near Darlington, but a rare plant. 

Saponaria officinalis.— Near Croft bridge, and plentifully in the wood near Middleton- 
one-row. 

Stellarianemorum. — In Baydales, near Darlington. 

Cistus Helianthemum. — By the roadside between Conniscliffe and Piersbridge. 

Nuphar lutea. — In the Skerne, near Darlington, plentifully. 

Aquilegia vulgaris — In Baydales near Darlington. 

Ranunculus Lingua. — In moist places. Hell Kettles, near Darlington. 

Turritis hirsuta. — In Baydales, near Darlington. 

Geranium phseum. — Near Darlington. 

rotundifolium. — By hedges, about Darlington, 
lucidum. — Near Darlington. 

Astragalus glycyphyllos. — In Baydales near Darlington. 

Senecio erucifolius. — In Baydales, near Darlington, and many other places. 

Anthemis tinctoria. — Which was found by Ray in a bank near Sockburn, and considered 
as peculiar to this county, has of late years been frequently sought for, but without success. 

LOphrys rnuscifera. — In Dinsdale wood and Middleton-one-row.— S. llobson, 1777.] 

Ophrys apifera. — In Baydales, near Darlington. 

Serapias longifolia. — In several marshy places near Darlington. 

Chara tomentosa. — In Hell Kettles. 

°"~ plttri, } I" M-. »-* Darlington. 

pendula. — By the Tees, near Croft. 
Salix pentandra. — In many places about Darlington. 
Helix. — By the Tees, common, 
repens. — Birch-carr, near Darlington. 
Bryonia dioica. — By hedges about Darlington, very common. 
Equisetum fluviatile. — In many places about Darlington. 
Sphagnum palustre. — In bogs on heaths. Birch carr, near Darlington. 
Fontinalis minor. — By the Tees near Piersbridge. 

Snlachnum ampullaceum. — On cow's dung ; near Darlington ; very "rare. 
Mnium palustre. — In marshes, near Darlington. 

Bryum extinctorium. — On rocks and hedge banks, not common. Baydales, near Dar- 
lington. 
Hypnum aduncum. — In wet places about Darlington, not unfrequent. 
riparium. — On stones in the Tees near Dinsdale. 

dendroides. — In a moist pasture by Rice carr, near Darlington, plentifully. 
Jungermannia purpurea — In Birch carr, near Darlington. 
Lichen Parellus. — On stones near Walworth. 
Agaricus ostreatus (Curtis). — On decayed ash ; frequent about Darlington. 

lateralis (Huds). ( On decayed stumps of trees, but rare. In Baydales, near 

pectinatus (Huds). ( Darlington. 

substrictus (Bolton).— Near Darlington, but very rare. 

suberosus (Bolt. 162). — Common on willows about Darlington ; has a sweet 

smell. I suspect it to be the Boletus suaveolens, Linn. 
confragosus (Bolt. 160). — On some willows near Darlington. 
Peziza coccinea (Bolt. 104). — On rotten sticks in woods. In Baydales, near Darlington. 
Clavaria muscoides. — In Baydales wood, near Darlington. 
Lycoperdon stellatum. — On a hedgeback near Darlington.* 

Sphseria fraxiuea (Huds). S. concentrica (Bolt.). — On decayed stumps of ash ; near 
Darlington, but scarce. 

" The author was indebted to the ingenious Mr. Edward Robson, of Darlington, for 
permission to publish this list, he having presented it to the Darlington society, esta- 
blished ' For promoting the study of General and Natural History, Antiquities, &c.' " 

* There is a drawing of a very curious and square fungus, probably the Lycoperdon 
stellatum of Linnaeus, or the L. fornicatum of Hudson, which grew within a quarter of a 
mile of Darlington, in the Gent. Mag. for Feb., 1792, furnished by E. R[obson.J 



374 



FLORA. 

2. Additions observed about 30 years ago. (J. B.) 



Thalictrum majus. — Near Low Coniscliffe. 

Trollius europeeus. — Bartrams Bottoms, by the Skerne. 

Turritis glabra. — Between High Coniscliffe and Gainford. 

Hypericum Androsseuium. — Near Middleton-one-Kow. 

Linuin perenne. — Baydales. 

Rhamnus catharticus. — Lowson's Slack, &c. 

Rosa Sabini — Baydales.* 

Ribes rubrum, b, petrseum. — Baydale Beck. 

Chrysosplenium alternifolium. — Monkend Wood. 

Campanula latifolia. — Black well. 

Pyrola rotundifolia. — Birch Car, near Middleton-one-Row, and Halnaby. 

Pulmonaria officinalis. — Cliffe Wood. Probably an outcast from the garden. 

Myosotis sylvatica. — Baydales. 

Myosotis collina. — Darlington. On dry hedge banks. 

Primula farinosa. — Cockerbeck. 

Lysimachia vulgaris ? This plant possibly L. punctata. By the Skerne above the 

Stockton and Darlington Station.i* 
Samolus Valei andi. — Baydales. 
Paris quadrifolia. — Monkend Wood. 

Ruscus aculeatus. — Cockerton, on the West Auckland Road. 
Schoenus nigricans. — Birch Car. 
Blysmus compressus. — Tees Side. 

* The plant figured as Rosa villosa in Sowerby's English Botany was from a bush of R. 
Sabini in Baydales, and the fruit figured along with the rose was from a garden plant of 
Rosa pomifera ; so little were Rosse understood at that time. 

f In the herbarium of the late Win. Backhouse, esq., both species occur from the 
locality, the L. punctata with the date 1803; and in Winch's Flora (in the Trans. Nat. 
Hist. Soc. NC, 1802) the place is described by Mr. B. as both above and below the 
railway bridge. The specimens gathered there subsequently by Mr. Ward are pro- 
nounced by Mr. Winch as starved examples of L. vulgaris. A specimen having been 
sent of L. vulgaris, as supposed, from Mr. Sewell's grounds in Heaton Dene near 
Newcastle, to Mr. Watson, by Mr. John Storey, of Newcastle, and turning out to belong 
to L. punctata, it is hinted in Watson's Cybele Britannica, 1852, that both species may 
exist in the same habitat. Mr. Storey informs me that he has since, on Aug. 10th, 1852, 
found both species in Heaton Dene intermingled, the rarer L. punctata being the more 
plentiful, and in full flower, whilst the flowers of L. vulgaris were not generally ex- 
panded. 




{Circle of Lead found near Blackwell Hall. See p. 336.] 



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DIVISION V 




VA1BI&I1& 



2t 



I. ALLAN. 



The Allans have long occupied a distinguished position in the county of 
Durham, and held the foremost place among the magnates of the neigh- 
bourhood of Darlington, not so much for their territorial influence, as that, 
in the words of Ord, the elegant historian of Cleveland, they are " a family 
illustrious, not only in antiquity and honourable descent, but also in science, 
literature, and the achievements of the intellect ; without which the glittering 
coronet is but an empty bauble, and the pomp of heraldry a ridiculous 
burlesque." 

That pageantry, the rise and zenith of family wealth, names and dates, and 
all that constitute reality, and truth in genealogy, are sufficiently detailed in 
the careful pedigrees appended to this memoir. It remains but to give a succinct 
idea of family worth and talent. And in doing so, it will be well to com- 
mence with the Durham advent of the race, as Thomas Allan, the mathe- 
matician, who throws a gleam of sunshine over the storyless Staffordshire 
descents, is a man sufficiently known through the medium of general bio- 
graphies. In Wood's Athense Oxonienses, he is called the " father of all 
learning and virtuous industry, an unfeigned lover and furtherer of all good 
arts and sciences, and an eminent antiquary and philosopher. His sufficiency 
in the mathematic science being generally noted, he was thereupon accounted 
another Roger Bacon, which was the reason why he became terrible to the 
vulgar, especially those of Oxon, who took him to be a perfect conjurer. He 
was a great collector of scattered MSS. of whatsoever faculty, especially those 
of history, antiquity, &c, sparing neither cost nor labour to procure them/' 
Robert the Elizabethan Earl of Leicester, consulted him in matters of mo- 
ment, and confided with the greatest attachment in his talents and secrecy, 
so much so, that the author of " Leicester Commonwealth" openly accused him 
of using the art of figuring to further his patron's schemes to bring about a 
match with the Queen.* 

Of the eventual fate of the branches which lingered round their ancient 
homes in Staffordshire, I am profoundly ignorant. Whatever destiny con- 
spired to the disruption of his house, or whatever cause, whether political or 
otherwise, led to the entry of the herald itinerant that " Geo : Allan went 
into Com : Dunelm :" one thing is certain, that he departed not from his 
father-land, but with a well filled purse. His grandsons at once, through a 

* William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, the W. H. of Shakspere's sonnets, according to 
Wood, died suddenly in Baynard's Castle, London, his residence, in 1630, according to the 
calculation of his nativity, made several years before by Mr. Tho. Allen, of Gloucester 
Hall. Allen lived to see the death of the subject or perchance victim of his calculation, 
and followed, two years after, at the great age of ninety. Judicial astrology is said to have 
been his "favourite and first pursuit," and he left a MS. commentary upon the secoud and 
third books of Ptolemy cle as'rorurn jitdiciis, which fell into the hands of William Lilly. 
Allen was closely associated with Dee, but in truth was " deemed in those days the father 
of all learning." Clarendon tells a story of a party of gentlemen drinking Pembroke's 
health at Maidenhead, and one of them remarking " That he believed his Lord was at that 
time very merry, for he had now outlived the day which his tutor Sandford had prognosti- 
cated upon his nativity he would not out-live ; but he had done it now, for that was his 
birth-day, which had completed his age to fifty years." The next morning they heard 
of his death. Unless Sandford is a mistake for Allen, it follows that two astrologers con- 
curred in their interpretations of the horoscope.— Gent. Mag., Oct., 1832. 



IV FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

vast command of capital for that day, struck deep root on the banks of the 
Tees and the Wear, and took the front rank amongst the squirearchy of 
the palatinate. 

Of these grandsons, Thomas Allan, esq., born in 1651, speedily became 
one of the largest, if not the largest, coal owner on the Wear, purchased 
estates, and settled at Allan's Flatts, near Ohester-le-street. He is singu- 
larly connected with modern Durham enterprise, by having been the first 
introducer* of waggon-ways or tramways on the Wear, which, even in their 
infancy — in their rude unimproved state — -saved an immense amount of horse 
labour. The novelty was so exciting to the boors, that the universal saluta- 
tion on meeting was " Hev ye been te see Allan's new mark ? " and this fact 
became so notorious, that at last his usual soubriquet was " Lord Newark ! " 
This was about 1690.+ 

* tC Waggon-ways are reported in the neighbourhood of the collieries to have been first 
used on the river Were, soon after the revolution, by Mr. Allan of Flatts, and on the Tyne 
by Charles Montague, esq., at Stella." — (Randall's note in his copy of Bourne's Newcastle). 
Waggons themselves were used at Team staith as early as 1671, for the carriage of coals, 
but even in our days asses were employed in the Auckland district and various parts for 
their conveyance in pokes. 

f One of his sons, Lionel Allan, was an eminent merchant at Rotterdam, and marry- 
ing Susanna Colville, became connected with a curious tradition of the county of Durham. 
In the early part of the last century, Edward Colville, who had realised a handsome for- 
tune as a wholesale butcher and extensive grazier, resided in a mansion called the White 
House, which may still be seen in the vicinity of Gateshead. The respectability of his charac- 
ter, and the style in which he lived, were such as to admit of his daughter Camilla attending 
the assize balls in Newcastle ; and gifted by nature with an elegant person, and with some 
advantages of education, Camilla was a young lady eminently qualified to grace those 
assemblages ; at one of which she had the good fortune to attract the attention of a young 
nobleman, Lord Ossulston, the eldest son of the Earl of Tankerville. It occasioned no small 
flutter in the room, when this nobleman, after the proper formalities, requested of Miss 
Colville the honour of being allowed to walk a minuet with her. She blushingly consented, 
and rarely had the ball-room of Newcastle exhibited a more striking display of graceful 
movement than what was displayed while this stately dance was in the course of being 
performed. Lord Ossulston was charmed beyond all measure by the beauty of his partner, 
and the next day beheld the heir of the house of Tankerville, at an hour which would now be 
considered preposterously early, calling at the White House to pay his respects to its fair 
tenant. Next day, and the next again, he renewed his visits ; and the young lady's father, 
from being simply flattered, began to fear that feelings might arise between the parties 
which would only lead to disappointment. Perhaps he had even graver fears, which any 
one acquainted with the maxims of the gentlemen of that age will not deem to have been 
at all unreasonable, especially as Camilla would not be aged more than sweet sixteen. 

He therefore made some efforts to keep Lord Ossulston out of the company of his daugh- 
ter ; but, denied admittance to the house, the young nobleman still could beset her when she 
went abroad, seat himself near her at church, and get insinuated into any little social party 
where she was expected. Mr. Colville at length saw it to be necessary to take very 
decided measures, and he resolved to place the young lady for some time in a new and 
distant home, where her sister, who was eight years older, might be a proper guardian. 

Mr. Lionel Allan, his son in law, had settled as a merchant in Holland, and he had also a 
friend who conducted a vessel of his own regularly between South Shields and the ports of 
Holland and the North of France. It may here be remarked, that the ship-owners, who 
in those days navigated their own vessels from South Shields, were a highly respectable 
class of men, generally possessing good education and manners, and living, when at home, 
in a style of considerable dignity. Amongst the descendants of more than one of them, 
might be found members of both houses of parliament. They took the name of Captain, 
and had, we believe, some solid grounds for doing so, as trading beyond certain latitudes 
and longitudes specified by Queen Elizabeth, gave masters of merchant vessels a modified 
permission to assume that title. Captain Aubane, (of the family of Aubane of Great Yar- 
mouth, not Aubone of Newcastle) readily entered into the views of his friend Colville, and 
undertook to convey the young lady to her relative in Rotterdam. She was, accordingly, 
conducted in the most private manner to South Shields, and put on board his vessel ; for 
if, as is likely, she regarded her lover with affection, and deemed the voyage a compulsory 
exile, the authority of parents was in those days too awful and inflexible to admit of her 
making any thing like effectual remonstrance. 

The voyage passed in safety, and Camilla was consigned to Mr. Lionel Allan. If Mr. 
Colville, however, believed that Lord Ossulston had been "thrown out, 5 ' he was mistaken ; 
for, before many weeks had elapsed, his lordship made his appearance in Rotterdam, and 
became as troublesome to Mr. Allan's family, who had charge of his mistress, as he had 
formerly been to her father. The Linden Walks lent their shade to meetings of the lovers, 
and, "when such were denied, his lordship made signals from the street, which Camilla 
could furtively read in the friendly mirror projecting from the parlour window. Mr. Allan 



THE ALLANS OF ALLAN'S FLATTS. V 

Thomas Allan, esq., the youngest son, and brother of Lionel Allan, 
succeeded to the bulk of his father's property. His death is thus recorded : 
"On Sunday, 21st December, 1740, died at his house at Flatts, Thomas 
Allan, Esq., one of the principal coal-owners on the river Wear. He was 
a gentleman whose integrity and worth placed him in the highest estimation, 
and whose good nature and generosity endeared him to all his acquaintance. 
He was earnest in promoting the good of his country, and particularly that 
great support of it, its trade ; in the cause of which he embarked his fortune, 
and applied a most laudable industry ; manifesting in his affairs an uncommon 
elegance and propriety ; and as his life was adorned with every virtue that 
dignifies human nature, so his death is universally a most melancholy occa- 
sion of sorrow/'* 

The failure of the Flatts branch (which was, in fact, the elder line) in co- 
heiresses merging in the baronetical family of Shafto Adair, is shown in the 
pedigree, and I now proceed to the Blackwell families, the principal object of 
this memoir. 

George Allan, esq., born in 1663, another grandson of the settler, 
pitched his tent at Darlington as a general merchant, and being very fortu- 
nate in a contract to furnish government with a large quantity of salt, it has 
been generally reported that he bought South Sea stock to a great amount, 
which, being let into the secret, he sold before the bubble burst, and pur- 

now became more distressingly alarmed than even the father had been, and resolved to 
get quit of his perilous charge. Captain Aubane, ere long, returned to Rotterdam for 
another cargo, and Camilla was once more put on board. The Dutch coast had for a day 
been lost in the blue distance, and honest Aubane was congratulating himself on the pros- 
pect of soon committing Miss Colville in safety to her father's keeping, when, descending 
into the cabin, how was he astonished to behold, kneeling at her feet, that very Lord 
Ossulston whom he supposed to have been left lamenting on the quay of Rotterdam ! He 
soon learned that the lover had contrived, by the connivance of a sailor, and, doubtless, 
with the concurrence of his mistress, to secrete himself on board the vessel, in a cask, a 
little before it sailed. It was too late to think of returning to the Dutch harbour to put 
Lord Ossulston ashore ; but he commanded him to withdraw from the cabin, and not to 
appear there again, unless in his company, and by his express permission. He also stipu- 
lated that, while he was himself on deck upon duty, Lord Ossulston should remain beside 
him, at whatever time of day or night, and under whatever circumstances of weather. The 
lover found himself compelled to submit to all these restrictions ; but the privilege of see- 
ing his mistress once a-day, even in the presence of a third party, served in no small degree 
to reconcile him to their strictness. 

In the course of the voyage, which was not a short one, the heir of Tankerville made a 
more favourable impression on the mind of Aubane, who became convinced that, however 
frivolous or otherwise objectionable might have been the feelings with which he at first 
regarded Camilla, he was now inspired by an honourable affection. He was also induced 
to believe the young man when he protested, in the most earnest manner, that the future 
happiness of his life depended on his obtaining the hand of Miss Colville. The South 
Shields ship-owner did not, indeed, like the idea of encouraging a young nobleman in an 
object which must be regarded with dislike by his father and other relations ; but on this 
point also his scruples were at length overcome, doubtless by persuasives strictly honour- 
able. On arriving at South Shields, he allowed Lord Ossulston to become an inmate of his 
house, in company with Camilla, until the consent of her father was obtained, and the 
necessary preparations were made for their marriage. The union of the pair took place at 
Jarrow church, the ancient seat of the Venerable T3ede ; a place of worship which, from 
some local prepossession, has been for ages the resort of young couples seeking to enter the 
bonds of wedlock without the consent of parents. They resided with the lady's father at 
White House forsomeyeai'S- At length the death of his father made Lord Ossulston Earl of 
Tankerville, the second of the title ; and Camilla Colville, as Countess, became entitled to 
the chief seat in the splendid halls of Chillingham Castle. Our heroine was afterwards one 
of the ladies of the bed-chamber to Queen Caroliue, the consort of George II. She played 
her part as a peeress with a due portion of dignity and spirit, and continued, long after 
being the mother of three children (one of whom, George, was godson to his namesake the 
king), to be one of the most beautiful women at the English court. She survived her hus- 
band in a long dowagerhood, and died in 1775, not indeed at the age of 105, as has been 
repeatedly stated in grave works of authority, but of 77. Her father however reached the 
former age, and her sister Susanna Allan outlived her whole generation, her husband, ten 
brothers and sisters, and ten children, dying at the age of 92. — Chambers's Edinburgh 
Journal . . . p. 375; and family traditions and papers of the Allans. . 

* Hutch. Hist. Durham II., p. 401.— Surtees II., p. 19L 



vi FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

chased estates. This must be a mistake, as the South Sea scheme did not 
take place until 1719, nine years after, and he bought estates in one year 
alone, namely 1710, which in 1814 let for five thousand pounds per annum. 
It is possible, however, as he purchased afterwards a variety of small farms 
and parcels of ground near Darlington, that he might have been a lucky 
proprietor of South Sea stock. He built, or perhaps re-edified Blackwell 
Grange, the subsequent calm and lovely seat of his family, in 1710, but it is 
probable, if we may judge from fire-places, &c, of an apparently more ancient 
form, that the vestigia of an earlier mansion are incorporated with the pre- 
sent spacious structure.* In 1717, his son, George, took unto himself a wife 
in Thomasine, the wealthy co-heiress of Prescott, with " acres of charms/' and 
the delighted senior in the exuberance of his joy, whilst his son and daughter 
in law were absent on their bridal excursion, added the noble south wing to 
Grange as an agreeable surprise to them on their return. On the leaden 
spouts of that period are their initials, disposed as in the margin. «_ 

The father in fact gave the Grange, with a moiety of his es- i-Ji-y a 
tates, to his son in his lifetime, and died in 1743-4, full of ^ ' ' ' ' ^ 
years and wealth.-)- His amiable wife had died thirty-four years previously, 
and was commemorated in the papers of the day by an effusion of no common 
elegance. J 

The younger George Allan died in 1753, "universally respected/' leav- 
ing two daughters and co-heiresses, of whom the younger sister, Ann Allan, 
is well remembered as " the good Miss Allan/' for her benevolence and 
extensive charities. A bowl of pence was given out every morning for the 
relief of every distressed person who might call at the accustomed fount of 
kindness, and meat and drink were plentifully supplied. The worthy lady, 
in spinster state, had a great penchant for cats, of which animals she had a 
very fine and large breed ; and as she would not suffer any of their numerous 
progeny to be immolated, a number became wild, and infested the neighbour- 
hood, to the distress of her nearer friends. For the extravagant company at 
Grange itself, a large provision had to be made, and a man at Hurworth was 
retained as feline fisherman in ordinary. As to their patroness, a variety of 

* The hearths in the old portion were on the floor, with capacious seats around. 

t Beautiful was his hand-writing, and the characteristic has never been wanting in the 
family of Allan. Painfully exact was the caligraphy of the antiquary, and that of old 
James his father was the more sprightly, and bold. 

% " On Tuesday, the 8th instant [8th Feb., 1709-10], died, greatly regretted by her family 
and friends, the wife of George Allan, esq., of Darlington. A most affectionate wife and a 
most tender mother, ever assiduous in searching for and relieving distress- She was of 
* every friendless name the friend.' " 

" On the death of Mrs. Allan, of Darlington. 

The voice of grief, the unavailing sigh. 

Can reason's cold indifference restrain, 
When she who wiped the tear from every eye 

Expires, the victim of relentless pain ? 

Her mind with no illusive image teemed 

To no fastidious taste did she pretend ; 
Careful to act, content to be esteemed 

As daughter, mother, neighbour, wife, and friend. 

Be this her praise, with no factitious grace, 

Domestic tenderness and virtue mild, 
The social smile, serenity of face, 
That looks on fortune as a fro ward child. 

Ye youthful pledges of a mother's care, 

A father in his anguish soothe and save ; 
be whate'er inspires a mother's prayer, 

And keep at least one parent from the grave !" 



"THE GOOD MISS ALLAN." v ii 

her costly habiliments, which were bequeathed to her servants, were floating 
for some time in Darlington. The following articles bought by Miss Allan 
in her lather's lifetime, for herself and two sisters then living, of Swann and 
Buck, " mercers at the Wheat-sheaf in King Street, Oovent Garden" (whose 
bill-head is duly garnished with their sign, like that of a modern innkeeper), 
will show the prices our ancestresses paid for their superb dresses. 

1748. £ 8 . d. 

Jan. 14. 19 yds. white, gold, and coloured brocade 295. 27 11 

Miss Kitty. 18 yds. white, silver, and coloured do 285. 25 4 

12 yds. white ground, bordered blues 175. 10 4 

Miss Dorothy. 17^ yds. white, silver, and coloured blue str. 265. 22 15 9 

40 yds. white taffety Persian 25. 4 

89 14 0* 

The loss of this " worthy lady of Grange" was sincerely lamented by all. 
"Her household, always at unity in itself, not so much from the command of 
the mistress, as from the influence of a persuasive example, exhibited an in- 
structive lesson of virtue and piety. Possessed of an ample fortune, she dis- 
pensed blessings to all around her. Pope's M an of Ross built a church and 
an alms-house. Miss Allan's charities were more extensive ; many of them 
were public and open ; more secret and silent ; nor were they confined to sect 
or party, or to her own neighbourhood. Wherever she heard of misery and 
distress, though at some hundred miles distance, her heart and hand were 
open to alleviate them ; and in such numberless instances, that it may be 
truly said of her, that she fed the hungry, cloathed the naked, and caused 
the widow's heart to sing for joy."-)* She died in J 785, and after the custom 
observed at the Allan funerals, was buried in the Grange vault in Darlington 
church, with great pomp, the affair costing not less than 1 000/. But that was 
nothing to the tears of the poor. The last members of the solemn procession 
had not left the Grange precincts as the first were entering the churchyard. 
A dole was on the occasion given to between nine thousand and ten thousand 
people. The town of Darlington itself, twenty years before, only contained 
some three thousand one hundred persons ; the parties who received the 
dole must, therefore, have come from all the country round. The adults 
received one shilling each, and the small fry six-pence ; and as the crowds 
compelled the simultaneous distribution at various stations in the town, the 
desideratum was to pass quickly from one doler to another and thus obtain the 
charity twice over. 

Her cousin, the antiquary, shortly afterwards writes to Gough : — " What 
will Mr. Bartolozzi expect for a portrait in the chalk style, to print in colors, 
the size of the Bishop of Durham enclosed ? [probably the plate in Hutchin- 
son's Durham]. Pray enquire. I have some thoughts of having the late 
worthy lady of Grange done. Collyer had ten guineas for this head of bishop 
Egerton." The print was nevertheless engraved by Mr. Joseph Collyer, and 

* In addition, it would appear from the following expensive items in a bill (amongst 
many others) of How and Masterman, of London, dated Feb. 19, 1762, that Miss Allan, like 
the rest of her sex, was by no means unmindful of " the foreign aid of ornament." 

£ 8. d. 
"162 fine rose diamonds added to a pr. of 3 Drop'd Earings and makeing 
a pair Double cluster 3 Drop'd Rose Diamond Earings with large 

rich knotts containing 294 stones 50 18 6 

A large fine Rose Diamond Necklace of a great length, very neatly sett 
in Flowers and Sprigs, &c, containing 225 large and small Rose 
Diamonds and 6 Brilliants that was taken from a pair of old earings... 157 10 0" 
f Gent. Mag. of the day. 



VllL 



FAMILY OF ALLAN. 



the memory of its subject was so much and deservedly revered at Darlington, 
that a copy long hung over the chimney-piece of every respectable parlour in 
the place. It is mentioned by Geo. Allan, the M.P., as having been taken 
from a wax model in his possession. An impression was sold, in 1812 at 
Miss Cade's sale for twelve shillings. Under this portrait is inscribed : "Ann 
Allan, of Blackwell Grange, near Darlington, died 16th Octr., 1785, get. 68. 
In gratitude to her memory, this plate is inscribed, by Geo. Allan, 1787/' 
It represents the good lady sitting, with a book in her hand, the countenance 
strongly defined, but quiet and benevolent. There is an original portrait, 
slightly differing from the print, at Blackwell Hall. In this picture, Miss 
Allan is represented as possessing a milder and altogether a very agreeable 
cast of countenance. She deliberates on the answer to be given from a well 
rilled purse in her hand, to " The humble petition of a poor old man/' lying 
open before her on the sill of a window, which is margined with the an- 
cient vines of Grange, and discovers the soaring spire of St. Cuthbert's col- 
legiate church. 

With Miss Allan the first Grange line of the family had completely 
worked out, and the Flatts branch had merged into females. The only male 
descendant of the settler from Staffordshire was a youngest child, a tenth 
son, who had survived his fourteen brothers and sisters, and was the only 
one of his family that married. This was J ames Allan, the son of Nicho- 
las Allan, brother of George, the first of Grange, who, like his brother, had 
made his pelf by being a merchant at Darlington and Staindrop, and who 
married a Sober, of a race occurring in the former parish at least as early as 
temp. Elizabeth, and found, in 1605, at Nessfield (now the property of 
their descendant, Robert Henry Allan, esq.), where they lived on their own 
inheritance, until their extinction in the male line carried their representation 
of blood and compact lands to the Allans. " Elizabeth Sober, an old maid," 
was buried 1 Feb., 1 739. 

James Allan, " Mr. Allan's nephew," had been appointed Borough Bailiff 
in 1 738 by the bishop, through the influence of his wealthy relative of Grange, 
and he long exercised the profession of the law with great success at Darling- 
ton. He was, as might have been expected, called to the possession of the 
estates of his family, by the grand-daughter of his early patron, who could 
hardly have suspected that his youngest nephew would, by the strange mor- 
tality which occurred, ever have succeeded to the right of the first-born. The 
family estate, augmented with the possessions of Sober and Killinghall, was 
now at the zenith of extent. In 1812, the rental of the estates enjoyed by 
his two grandsons, George Allan, esq., and John Allan, esq., amounted to 
rather better than 10,00(k per annum.* 

To " Auld Jem Allan," as he is popularly called (like the " Old Sir 
William" of the Bowes family, or " Auld Will Lambton, alias Old True 
Blue"), the founder of the second race of Grange, Mr. Hutchinson, in his 
History of Durham, tenders his acknowledgments, " for his compendious col- 
lection of extracts from public records, as well those of the acts of the crown, 
as parliamentary and provincial, references to authorities compiled in an ex- 

* 1812. Annual rental of the old Allan or Grange estate £6,348 

Of Baydales (Blackwell Manor), afterwards purchased by John 
Allan, esq.; and Blackwell Holme, afterwards purchased by 

Major Bower, and J. C. Backhouse, esq 1,054 

Of the estates of John Allan, esq., chiefly derived from Sober, 

and Killinghall 2,700 

£10,102 



JAMES ALLAN. i x 

tensive train of reading, and other valuable materials/' He was a good 
lawyer, and a very accurate antiquary ; particularly skilled in the old court 
hands, and his grandson thought that of the two, he could read an ancient 
charter with even more facility than his son " the antiquary." He was veiy 
fond of old records, and was a great index maker. His dress, which he 
never varied, and his manners, were of the old school ; but he possessed a 
fund of lively anecdote, was generous and convivial, and one of the most 
agreeable men anywhere, but in his own family. At home, except when he 
had company, he was peevish and austere to an excess ; and " I believe," 
says his grandson the M.P., "I am the only one of his family that ever 
presumed to enter into any unrestrained familiar conversation with him. 
Indeed, my father often acknowledged, that he never could get the better of 
a sort of timidity, bordering on fear, when in his presence, during the whole 
of his life. - - - My grandfather and my father, though of congenial pur- 
suits, were nevertheless at variance during almost the whole of the life of the 
former, from causes which it would be uninteresting to relate ; but no recon- 
ciliation ever took place."* 

The withering sarcasm and severity of James Allan was of such note, that 
I have been told in Darlington he was the crossest and sternest man 
that ever lived, and that he stretched the balival authority to the utmost 
bound of prerogative. But he was a great man, such as is produced in a 
family only once in five or six generations. He had prudence, confidence, 
and talent ; and the fortune he had obtained with his wife, (the eventual 
heiress of Killmghall and Peniberton), the meed of a long period of laborious 
professional labour, and the ample estate of his departed relatives, raised him 
to a high pitch of worldly affluence. He died at Grange the 19th of Jan., 
1 790 ; a day rendered memorable in the annals of the parish, in consequence 
of a terrific storm, which tore up trees by their roots, and shook Grange and 
Darlington to their foundations. 

George Allan, the Antiquary (honoured name !), succeeded to the 
entailed estates, comprising the old Allan patrimony, only. The Killinghall 
estates of Barton, together with the unentailed Durham property, a portion 
of which now belongs to R H. Allan, esq. ; and the immense personal 
estate of his father, were left to his other children, from reasons partaking, 
probably, more of common consideration and affection, than of any virulent 
hatred to his son and heir. " My father," says the M.P., " was a good man, 
a man of almost uncommon generosity and hospitality ; but he had faults — 
and who is without them ? He was warm in his affections but very keen in 
resentment, and though, I believe, as temperate a man as ever existed, he was 
extremely irritable during the latter years of his life. I have no doubt but 
the distribution of my grandfather's large property, and particularly the 
Killinghall estates, to the youngest son, now possessed by a cousin of mine 

* In 1789, Dr. Carr, of Hertford, writes to this George the younger: "As you say nothing 
of the present state of your father's health, I hope it is better than some time ago. So 
generous and ingenious, so honest and friendly a man, is worthy of all that fortune can 
bestow, and I have often grieved to think of the peevishness and jealousy of old age stand- 
ing in the way of his prospects. "With regard to your brother, I own myself somewhat 
mortified at his keeping his resolution so profound a secret, because I had concluded that 
he was sensible of my best wishes." This last paragraph refers to the antiquary's youngest 
son James, who was educated by Dr. Carr, entered of Trinity, and for whom very ample 
preferment was intended in the church. But, according to a popular truism, " There 
xever was ah Allax a Parsox." He chose a military life, and his career was short 
indeed. He was a Captain in the 2.9th regiment of foot, and at the point of gaining, at an 
early period, the rank of Major, when he died of the yellow fever at the island of Grenada, 
in 1795, aged 23, lamented by every one who knew him. 



X FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

[John Allan, esq.], was the cause of it." Where is content to be found ? 
Not even in well-portioned antiquaries, 

The Antiquary was born on the 7th of June, 1736, and his passion 
for transcribing soon developed itself. When a boy at school he had his 
Horace interleaved ; and he copied the whole of Francis's translation in the 
neatest hand-writing. Not a blot or correction is to be seen throughout 
the whole. The octavo edition of " Clarke's Homer's Iliad," he also em- 
bellished with Pope's translation. " I have/' says Mr. George Allan, jun., 
" a few of his school exercises, which are not more extraordinary than such 
things generally are ; but they, and indeed his whole life exhibit a rare 
instance of continued labour, and attentive industry. I conceive from the 
variety of transcripts I possess, that he must have been in the habit, when a 
young man, of borrowing books he could not afford to buy; such, for instance, 
as Dugdale's Monasticon, from which he made voluminous extracts, though 
I remember it to have been in his library as long as I can recollect." 

His strong and active mind enabled him to pay very great attention to 
antiquities and genealogical researches. In heraldry especially, he had 
acquired so very extraordinary a degree of skill, that in 1763 he had serious 
thoughts of publishing an elaborate copper-plate Peerage, for which he 
actually circulated proposals ; but after engraving at least one large plate, 
partly deterred by the prospect of the hazard and expence, and partly from 
two similar works having been about the same time entered into by Mr. 
Jacob and Mr. Edmondson (appointed Mowbray herald extraordinary, 1 764), 
he declined the undertaking, which was to be executed in a large degree with 
copper-plates, the pedigrees being in a tabular form.* 

From a congeniality of pursuits, he soon became acquainted with Ralph 
Bigland, esq., (at that time Somerset Herald and Registrar, afterwards 
Garter King at Arms), and with Isaac Heard, esq. (then Lancaster Herald, 
afterwards Sir Isaac Heard), who assisted, as Garter King at Arms, at the 
ceremony of the coronation of king George IV., in 1820. His corres- 
pondence with these gentlemen was on all sides mutually communicative and 
instructive ; and in 1 764,+ on a vacancy of the office of Richmond Herald, 
Mr. Allan was very handsomely invited to accept it ; an offer which he as 
handsomely declined, his connexions in life rendering his acceptance "as 
improper as it was unnecessary.''^ 

* He however before finally giving up, attempted a different mode of publication : — "Mr. 
Allan's compliments to Lord Lincoln, and has taken the freedom to wait on his Lordship to 
return thanks for his encouragement to his Peerage ; but, as the expence of engraving 
amounted to such a large sum a 3000Z. at least, he could not possibly think of carrying it 
on in the manner proposed, unless assured of 200 subscribers. He has been desired to print 
it at the letter-press, in which he will have an opportunity to make many more curious and 
valuable remarks than he could have done by the means of copper-plates ; notwithstanding 
which, numbers of the plates, and all the arms, &c, will still be inserted in the course of 
the work ; and the price of the whole peerage will not now exceed 10 guineas. Should 
his lordship approve of this last scheme, when he has seen the proposals, Mr. Allan still 
hopes for his Lordship's encouragement." The modern antiquary, accustomed to the com- 
pact and voluminous pedigrees printed by Nichols, and the Hodgsons and Richardsons of 
Newcastle, can have little idea of the heavy clog upon his predecessors, arising from the 
rude letter-press of the day. They were driven to the expensive copper-plate- It must be 
owned that Edmondson's plates, arranged after the modern fashion, are much more close 
and intelligible than the circles of Allan, connected by creeping stems and love-knots. An ' 
extremely beautiful pedigree, on vellum, of his family, in the same style, rich in gold and 
blazonry from the pencil of the latter gentlemen, is in the possession of R. H. Allan, esq. 

+ 1764. " If it could conveniently be done (not else) that you could procure, or employ 
a proper person to take copies of the inscriptions on the monuments or gravestones in the 
church or churchyard of Darlington, such as you think maybe useful as pertaining to good 
or creditable families, I shall gladly pay the expense.— R. B." Allan copied them himself. 
" I have hardly an hour to devote to my favourite study. I am daily, however, transcrib- 
ing them." 

X With Mr. Edmondson he was an occasional correspondent ; though, from the offer 



ALLAN THE ANTIQUARY. 



\1 



He was now in correspondence with the Countess Dowager of Stafford, by 
whom he was highly esteemed, and who kindly interested herself in recon- 
ciling him to his father, and for the time satisfactorily. He compiled a careful 
pedigree of the Stafford race. She writes Jan. 15, 1765: — " I am exceeding- 
glad you are so happily settled with your family ; and only wish, if you em- 
ploy your four hours, which is but a short recess from business, which 
requires so much application of the mind, as the study of the law, and you 
make that of an antiquary your amusement, though you do it with so much 
more ease than any one else could ; yet I should think your health must 
suffer, unless you allow yourself some time for exercise, and to quite unbend 
your mind/'* But Allan scoffed at such advice. He never read but with 
a pen in his hand ; and if the expression may be used as to heraldry, anti- 
quities, and natural history, as well as classics, his adversaria are numerous 
and valuable. Considering his extensive professional business before he 
retired, and his constant labour in writing, it is believed he wrote almost a 
quire for every day he lived, f His habits were very regular and temperate ; 
but, nevertheless, he did not preserve a healthy regimen, and was constantly 
ailing. He rose at half-past seven, ate a hearty breakfast at eight, very 
seldom took any exercise, and scarce ate any animal food at all ; about three 
glasses of wine were his allowance after dinner. He drank tea, but seldom 
ate supper, and, although constantly employed, the conversation of others 
never appeared to interrupt him, and yet he heard all that passed. In con- 
sequence of this faculty he never stopped work for callers, but went pot- 
hooking on, quite unconcernedly. It was generally two o'clock before he 
retired to his room ; and he always read the newspapers in bed by a reflect- 
ing lamp, which burnt all night. 

On the 24 Sep., 17664 Mr. Allan added considerably to his comforts and 

which had been made to Mr. Allan, the young Herald (who had enjoyed his appointment 
only two months) conceived an unaccountable jealousy. They continued, however, their 
friendly correspondence, as appears by a letter dated Jan., 1765, wherein Mr. Edmondson 
says, 

" I have looked among my MSS. but can find nothing worth sending you ; I have now 
by me the finest visitation of Yorkshire in this kingdom, as it is full of deeds, charters, re- 
cords, domesday, &c, which I should be glad you should see ; but I do not know how it 
can be done, as the book is only lent me, and aiso valued at £21. I have one favour to beg 
of you. I am informed by different hands that, when the last vacancy was in the Heralds' 
office, Messrs. Heard and Bigland sent you a letter, that, if you would come to town, they 
could get you the vacancy. The truth of this assertion I beg to know, as it will be of infi- 
nite service to me, therefore I hope you will oblige yours, &c. J.E." 

" What Mr. Edmondson means by this enquiry," says Mr. Allan to Mr. Bigland, " I can- 
not tell. What you and Mr. Heard were so obliging as to write to me on that head, I never 
mentioned to any person except my friend Mr. Stevens, and that no more than saying, that 
both of you were so kind as to send me an account of a vacancy, if I hart any inclination to 
apply for it." Mr. Bigland remarks in a letter, 15 Jan., 1765, " The extract of Mr. Edmond- 
son's letter we do not think so extraordinary, having experienced many disagreeable proofs 
of his behaviour. As to the visitation of Yorkshire, worth £21 , I imagine it is one that T 
saw (which he then called his own) some years ago at his house, which he then boasted 
much of. We have, I dare say, the selfsame thing in every particular, besides many others 
for the county of York." 

* " The first vacant day, you say, Mrs. Allan and you will dine with us. Is it not as 
difficult to calculate when you wiil have a vacant day, as it is the return of the great 
comet ?"— Rev. D. Watson, of Midclleton Tyas, to Allan, 1783. 

t It is said of Master Prynne, that he wrote a sheet for every day he lived ; but it must 
be remembered that his was composition. 

t " Darlington, Nov. 17, 1766. — Proposals for an Assembly for Six Months to be held once 
every Thursday month, the first assembly on Thursday the 27 instant. Every subscriber 
to pay 7s. 6cZ. ; every nonsubscriber to pay 2s. each night ; to begin each night exactly at 7 
o'clock. N.B. — Tickets Transferable. Gentlemen. Geo : Allan, Newy. Lowson, Willm. 
Dent, James Allan, Junr., Hen : Ornsby, H. Thornhill, Young Lowson, Thos. Constable, 
Thos. Hill, Junr,, Wm. Turner. Ladies. Miss Bowes, Mrs. Allan, MissTukey, Mrs. Rudd, 
Miss Lowis, Miss N. Lowis, Miss J. Lowson." 



xii FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

to his property, by a marriage with Anne (than whom, says her son, " a 
better woman never breathed"), the only daughter and heiress of James 
Colling Nicholson, of Scruton, Yorkshire. This gentleman lived for the last 
twenty years of his life with his son in law. A portrait of him is inscribed 
"James Colling Nicholson, died Feb. 8th, 1794, aged 85. Sibi et 
Amicis D.D.D., G.A."* 

The marriage also added in after years to his antiquarian treasures. He 
and his son were at Scruton where Mr. Nicholson then lived, when Mr. 
Gale lent him the volumes of his grandfather's MSS. He could not be 
prevailed upon to prolong his visit a single day, because no proper paper 
could be procured in the village, and therefore instantly returned home and 
began his labours. " Last week/' writes he to Gough (" the Camden of 
modern times"), " I accidentally called to see an old school-fellow, Mr. Henry 
Gale, the grandson of Roger Gale, the antiquary. This gave me an oppor- 
tunity of enquiring after that gentleman's books and papers ; when I had the 
pleasure to hear him say, there were two or three MSS. left in the house, 
which he was so obliging as to shew me. You cannot imagine how my 
heart leaped for joy when I looked over their contents, and found them all 
fairly wrote with his own hand, and containing such valuable papers. To 
double my joy, my friend permitted me to take them home with me, and 
make what use I pleased of them. Inclosed, I send you a catalogue of what 
is contained in the first volume ; and in a few posts you shall have the 
contents of the other. You will be surprised when I tell you, that I am 
determined to make a true transcript of all the volumes ; and hope, before 
winter is over, to say Exegi opus, having within these few days done forty 
pages/'f 

In 1768 he entered his pedigree (which was in a great measure adopted 
by Surtees) in the Register 6th D 14, fo. 22, 23, but I imagine that he and 
old James were not on terms at the time, as it is extraordinarily incorrect on 
points regarding which his father could at once have put him right. A plate 
of the Heralds' College and the officers' seals, &c, gave him the idea of hav- 
ing a plate engraven of the episcopal and corporate seals of the county, but 
he found that the price of the former plate was 48/., and he abandoned the 
design. " Inclosed," says he to Bigland, " I send you a specimen of our 
present bishop's seal (which will not bear the examination of an engraver) ; 
it is the first attempt. The middle parts are my own etching ; but it is an 
art I have no inclination to proceed in. You will be surprised when I tell 
you I have turned printer, and have got a little press, and a small font of 
letters to amuse an idle hour. 

Thus originated the famous Allan or Grange tracts. They began with the 
tract containing the charter and other documents relating to the Free 
Grammar School at Darlington. A list was published by the late John 
Trotter Brockett, esq., of Newcastle. A more copious catalogue, accompanied 
with a life of Mr. Allan, was edited by R. H. Allan, esq., in 1829, of which 

* He assumed the name of Nicholson by the direction of a uncle of that name (Rector of 
Great Stainton). He was one of the most affectionate and best of men, though not the 
least of a literary turn. It is believed on the contrary, that the Bible, Moore's Almanack, 
and the provincial newspapers, were the full extent of his reading. In his younger days 
he kept a small pack of fox hounds, and amused himself with a farm of his own of 150 acres. 

+ The manuscript which is entitled " Reliquiae Galeanse, &c, is written in his usually 
clear and distinct hand, with very clever drawings, in pen and ink, of tombstones, monu- 
mental tablets, and antiquities. On the title is an autograph note by Mr. Allan, in which 
he states " The Society of Antiquaries had these volumes a long time, and from thence were 
selected the quarto volume, published under the above title, and direction of Richard 
Gough, esq." 



ALLAN THE ANTIQUARY. xiii 

fifty copies vvere printed for private distribution only ; but probably the best 
is in Martin's "Catalogue of Privately printed Books/' published in 1834. 
There are, however, an immensity of broadsides inserted in his illustrated 
Camden, which do not appear in any catalogue. At Mr. Brockett's sale in 
1823 his collection of the tracts was sold to the late Earl of Durham for 52/. 10*. 
They consist almost wholly of documents illustrating the history of Durham, 
the most important being collections relating to Gateshead Hospital* (1769), 
Greatham Hospital (n.d.), and Sherburn Hospital (1771, a number of the 
records seen by Allan having been mislaid or lost), the life of bishop Trevor 
(1776), Hegge's Legend of Saint Cuthbert (1777), and the origin and suc- 
cession of the Bishops of Durham (1779, a beautiful tract). " Of Gateshead 
Hospital/' writes his son George, " there were but fifty copies printed ; and 
that was when I was too young to have made any observation. I can only 
add, from what I have been told, that a great part of it was executed by a 
small folding press ; but a regular printer having set up business in the town 
during the progress of it, a frame was made to hold four quarto pages (the 
previous part having been performed by a page only at a time), which were 
composed at home, and sent, with the paper damped, to be worked off by the 
printer. The tracts relating to Greatham and Sherburn Hospitals, were 
printed in the same manner ; and it is curious to observe, that an intimate 
acquaintance of my father's, now living, asserts that the proofs scarce ever 
stood in need of correction, he being himself not only the compositor, but the 
distributor of the types, when the form was broken up. I remember the 
folding press very well, and the arrival of that from London, with which he 
worked, even within the last year of his life ; nay, so fond was he of the 
office or employment, he had undertaken, but a few months before his last 
illness, to print for me a translation I had attempted of a small German 
novel, in v*hich the philosophy of Professor Kant is particularly satirized ; 
and actually corresponded with me respecting the number of pages it would 

run to, and in what manner 1 wished it to be executed. Independent 

of the antiquarian tracts, and the little performances for his friend, a great 
variety of fugitive satirical pieces were printed, particularly election squibs, 
but whether by design or accident, I have not a copy of any one. He printed 
also, copies of the family wills ; and I once heard him say, he would tran- 
scribe and print all the title deeds of his estate, which would certainly have 
been a labour of little use or profit. His last intention was to have printed 
a catalogue of his museum ; which, by his MS. preparations for it, I think 
would have been very amusing ; and I lament he did not execute it. After 
his death the press and materials were sold to a printer in the town, without 
my knowledge.*!- I should otherwise have been tempted to have kept them 

* This, I believe, is the first tract on which he printed his favorite motto : — " Gather up 
the Fragments that remain. — 6 John v. 12." 

+ An eye -witness " well remembers, when a mere child, being taken in a van or spring 
cart for a ride to Grange. It was a dismally dark dank night, and the men, who had a 
lantern, remarked on nearing Glassensikes, that its light would prevent their seeing the 
ghost. On passing the sombre but noble avenue of stately limes, the ancient abode of 
squirrels, rooks, bats, and owls, he arrived at Grange, and by some mischance was left in 
a spacious apartment trembling and alone ! His courage which had become * small by 
degrees and beautifully less,' had now fairly oozed out, and he screamed aloud in mortal 
fear. Awful sounds and distant echoes, as of the voice of haunted chambers, reverberated 
through the passages of the ghostly halls, and the vaulted sepulchres of the dead could not 
have been more appalling to his infantile imagination. He was soon, however, conducted 
from tnis ' chamber of horrors' to another room where a number of men were busily 
engaged in taking to pieces and packing up the printing press, type, &c, with which the 
Allan Tracts had been struck off. These printing materials had been purchased by a 
young aspirant to historic fame, John Rountree, a printer, of Darlington, who, it is said, 



xiv FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

as a memorial of past times, and present pleasing recollections rather than for 
any use I could have made of them. During a vacation from college, he once 
prevailed on me to become a compositor ; and I made a tolerable proficiency 

in the art ; but I was not very enthusiastically fond of the employment. 

Having occasion, a few years ago, to shew my title to a particular estate, to 
a very eminent attorney in London, to whom I was not personally known, I 
left a printed copy of a will at his chambers, the authenticity of which he 
might have explored at Doctors' Commons, yet this circumstance appeared 
to him so strange, that he took it to be an imposition, and it was necessary 
for me to explain, through my own attorney, that my father had had a pri- 
vate press, under the impression of which almost every matter he was inter- 
ested in, fairly went ; and that I had left the printed copy of the will required 
merely to save time." 

Among his other good customers, for he printed gratis, was Thomas Pen- 
nant, esq., F.R.S., the celebrated naturalist and traveller, who in his Tour 
from Alston Moor to Harrogate, p. 114, says " I had here the good fortune 
to make acquaintance with George Allan, esq., of Darlington, a gentleman of 
the law, but since possessed of a large fortune in that neighbourhood/' Allan 
and he on that occasion made a careful excursion to Brimham Craggs. The 
introduction was through the medium of Bishop Egerton. The tracts 
"printed by the friendship of George Allan, esq., at his private press at 
Darlington,"* for Pennant, are the rarest of all the series, thirty copies only 
having been struck orT.-J- 

ln 1774 Mr. Allan became possessed of the Rev. Thomas Randall's MSS. 
An intimacy had subsisted for many years, and Mr. Randall always promised 
Allan his MSS.j in case of death, which by will, 1774, he bequeathed to him. 

had made some collections towards the history of the county. His career might happily 
have been marked with usefulness, had he not been cut off, an early victim to his humorous 
and social qualities, which attracted 'jolly companions every one' from all parts of the 
country. In their selfish amusements they led him on to ruin and the grave. The Allan 
press was then purchased by William Appleton, another printer and bookseller of the 
place." 

In those days, the rising generation — the dashing blades of Darlington, were too prone 
in exercising their talents in practical jokes, which were indulged in to a serious extent 
even by many of the most respectable people of the town, and this young man too was 
drawn into the vortex of their heartless follies. In making a sham freemason, he penned 
the cabalistic paper which was to induct the party to all the mysteries of the fraternity, 
and when it was necessary to translate the document before the magistrates, the writer 
could explain no further than that he supposed hocus meant hoax, and pocus the poker. 

* 1779. " I doubt not before this you have expected a return of the proof sheets of your 
Zoology. One reason of the delay was, I was obliged to discharge my Devil for ingratitude; 
and the small letter did not arrive till about a week ago. I have none now to assist me ; 
but notwithstanding that, can manage myself any future sheets you may want, which I 
beg you will not be nice in sending. Pray return these as soon as you can, that they may 
be wrought off, and say how many copies yon will have. I can print 4 pages at once, as 
well as two." And again . " I am happy to find the printed sheets please. My ink is too 
white. Let me intreat more work ; I will not be so long about them as the last." 

f Before the printing of these, in 1777, Pennant had a notion of commencing amateur 
printer himself, but Allan's experience terrified him. " It is a pretty amusement ; but 
without a proper person to direct you at first starting [and Pennant never could get one], 
you will, I am afraid, throw it aside in a pet ; patience is a most necessary virtue to be en- 
dowed with. Did I not send you an advertisement for a portable press ? On what con- 
struction that was, I cannot say ; for, to print 4 pages in 4to, will require about 180 pounds 

of Pica letter, Roman and Italic. There are many, very many other requisites besides 

types I have lately got a complete screw-press from London, made by the best hand 

there, which cost me 16 guineas. Upon the whole, I do suppose my workshop in this Art 
has cost me 701. ; but then I have three different sorts of letter, that would set up 14 close 
quarto pages or more." 

J Randall was master of the free school at Durham, and had free access to the libraries 
and public offices. His MSS. consisted of about twenty vols, in 4to. and several others in 
a cruder state, but they were all extremely minute and careful. He pasted these words 
on thei:* covers in his lifetime, " The gift of the Reverend Mr. Thomas Randall of Durham, 



ALLAN THE ANTIQUARY. XV 

This induced him to turn his thoughts towards a History of the County Pala- 
tine of Durham, for which he circulated his "Address and Queries to the 
Public, relative to the compiling a complete Civil and Ecclesiastical History 
of the ancient and present state of the County Palatine of Durham ;"* but 
soon relinquished his plan in favour of Mr. Hutchinson, to whom he became 
a most assiduous and very excellent assistant and patron. Mr. Allan, in a 
letter to Dr. Henry, of Edinburgh, says, " This gives me an opportunity of 
inclosing you the proposals for a laborious work, a virgin county. If your 
interest amongst the curious can procure a few names as subscribers, it will 
be remembered with the utmost gratitude. It is chiefly my collections and 
ground-work ;-f* but neither having leisure nor health to finish the work, have 
consigned every paper to my industrious friend, Mr. Hutchinson, who will 
usher it into the world, I flatter myself, with credit to himself." Both 
Hutchinson and Surtees gratefully acknowledge their debts to Mr. Allan, 
whose library contained, besides his own collection (including a vast mass of 
charters, transcripts of visitations, and legal and genealogical documents), 
the greater part of Randall's MSS., and a large portion of those of Gyll, 
Hunter, Mann, Hodgson, and Swainston;j and it is no discredit to Hutch- 

to George Allan, of Darlington ;" evidently the composition of the latter. A number of 
printed books were included. The MSS. were sold with the Allan MSS-, in 1823, to the 
Dean and Chapter of Durham for 150£. A valuable copy of Bourne's Newcastle, extensively 
annotated by Randall, is at Blackwell Hall. 

* In the title page he says:—" Antiquitates seu Historiarum reliquiae sunt tanquam 
tabula? naufragii, quas homines industrii et sagaces a temporis diluvio eripiunt et conser- 
vant." And in a letter to the Rev. Mark JNoble, (who was indebted to Allan in his Coins 
of Durham), in 1780. " The public has been long amused with Dr. Gower's Chester, but I 
despair now of seeing it, it will bear some affinity to the sister palatinate. My collections 
for this county would astonish you. I will send you in my next a small address I drew up 
for another work, a few years ago, and distributed to every clergyman and gentleman in 
the county, to solicit assistance ; but, alas ! few communications were made. Let us 
despise all those snarling dogs in the manger. Send the essay you mention. I will print 
it with pleasure, and send you as many copies as you please." 

f In 1788, Mr. R. Marshall Hutchinson writes to James Allan "to send the several 
printed sheets you intend for my father to me, as your son has all the MSS. by him, and 
sole direction of the work before any part thereof goes to the press, and both are now at a 
stand. The printed sheets wanted are to save trouble of transcribing." " I have to lament," 
says Hutchinson, in a letter in the Gentleman's Magazine, for March, 1793, " that an invo- 
luntary and unfortunate delay has happened in the publication of the remaining part of 
my History of Durham. The MS., when completed, was, with the consent of the editor, 
placed in the hands of a literary gentleman, for his revisal and correction; but, by his 
family engagements, in consequence of a great increase of fortune, and by his necessary 
journeys to Bath and Bristol, on account of his health, he withheld the MS. and prevented 
its going to the press, unwilling that the conclusion of the work should appear less perfect 
than the former parts, which he had regularly attended to, even in the laborious exercise 
of correcting the press." — Hutchinson's address and proposals were printed at the Allan 
press. 

% Mr. Allan also possessed the MSS. of Thomas Wright, F.R.S., the eminent mathemati- 
cian, with whom he appears to have been on intimate terms, as among these manuscripts 
was a small portfolio, containing scraps by George Allan, Cuthbert Shaw, and Thomas 
Wright. Regarding Wright's manuscripts, the Rev. Professor Chevallier, of the Univer- 
sity of Durham, addresses the following remarks to R. H. Allan, esq. : — 

" The attention of the scientific world has been recently directed to the works of a 
remarkable man — Thomas Wright— who lived at Byers Green, and died about 60 ago. It 
appears that he anticipated many speculations of much later date : and such writers as 
Arago and Sturm are engaged in vindicating Wright's literary and scientific claims- From 
an account of Thomas Wright in the Gentleman's Magazine, for 1793, 1 find that Mr. Allan 
of the Grange, near Darlington, was then in possession of various writings and plates which 
had belonged to Mr. Wright, and might probably contain some matters of importance to 
science I perceive Humbolt refers to Wright, in his Cosmos." 

He died at Byers Green — the place of his birth, and was interred at the Church of St. 
Andrew, Auckland, on the 25th of February, 1786. " Several plates have been rescued from 
the copper-smith, by falling into the hands of George Allan, esq,, of Darlington, who pur- 
chased his collection of prints, mathematical instruments, and other valuable articles." — 
(Gent. Mag., for Jan., 1793.)— The bulk of the "various writings" referred to by the 
learned professor, were sold by Sotheby, in December, 1 844. 



xvi FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

inson's industry to say that his elaborate work proceeded under the guidance 
of Mr. Allan's judgment. " Mr. Allan's indefatigable labour/' says Hutch- 
inson, " has accumulated most of the materials from which this work is com- 
piled, and from whose unexampled bounty and generosity they are submitted 
to the author s arrangement for the public use." " It is pleasant indeed," 
says Mr. George Taylor, in his admirable life of Surtees, " to observe the 
cordial respect and gratitude with which both Hutchinson and Surtees speak 
of his indefatigable industry in collecting, and liberality in the unreserved 
communication of his stores. And the same spirit seems to have descended 
on his son, and to have conciliated the respect and affection of Mr. Surtees." 
Allan began to print " Historical Collections relating to the Town of Dar- 
lington," in good earnest. After a few pages* he tired, and left the virgin 
soil alone to the author of this memoir. Sequiturque patrem non passibus 



In 1776 he acknowledges Pennant's compliment in expressing himself 
" superlatively indebted to Mr. George Allan, of Darlington," in his " Tour 
to Scotland," and mentions having had so severe an inflammation that his 
life was despaired of, and all business habits suspended. Old James, malgre 
his irascibility, rushed to the rescue. " A good old father reassumed his pen, 
and managed for me." 

About the same period (1774) Mr. Allan commenced a correspondence 
with that eminent antiquary, Francis Grose, esq., by whose particular recom- 
mendation he was elected F.S.A.-(* on the 15th December, 1774, which led 
to an intimacy with Mr. Gough, at that time director of the society, and the 
celebrated author of " British Topography." He was a valuable aid in the 
compilation of the new edition of Camden, by Gough, who must indeed have 
been flattered by Allan's use of it. In 1779, he writes to Pennant, " I am 
hard at work with Camden, and have already got about 2000 prints placed 
in it. It swells to seven volumes." In 1 798 he writes to Nichols, " I have 
received your favour, and think myself highly obliged by your kind offer to 
furnish me with the several plates you name, which will be a grand acquisi- 
tion to the illustration of the ' Britannia.' I therefore beg you will send the 
whole of the plates to the magazine, from 1 782 down to the present time, as 
also all belonging to the ' Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica.' " He got 
all his literary friends to strike him off extra plates ; Cade was his illumina- 
tor of marginal and other arms ; and in so costly and splendid a manner was 
the work illustrated with plates and extra letterpress and notes (many being 
printed for the purpose at his own press and others in his own caligraphy), 
that it finally extended to twenty-nine volumes, containing upwards of 6500 
portraits, views, maps, plates of antiquities, original drawings, coloured coats 
of arms, &c. ; the whole forming an extensive and elaborate assemblage of 
the topography of Britain. These volumes were sold by Sotheby in Dec, 
1844, and were purchased by Robert Henry Allan, esq., F.S.A. There were 

* He adds to the title — 

" Si qua videbuntur chartis tibi lector in istis, 
Sive obscura nimis, sive Latina parum, 
Non meus est error." 
A vast hoard of collections for the purpose remain, but they are mostly dry bones, full 
copies of legal documents, &c. The spirit who could have clothed them has departed, and 
I could not follow his intended track. One volume, 400 pages, in the D. & C. lib. is wholly 
devoted to Darlington. 

t I" 1800, he presented to the society 26 4to vols, of MSS. relating chiefly to the Univer- 
sity of Oxford, collected by Wm. Smith, formerly fellow of Univ. Coll. and rector of 
Melsonby, near Darlington. 



ALLAN THE ANTIQUARY. xvti 

some five copies of Hutchinson's Durham struck oft 1 on very large 4to, which 
were so contrived, by printing the letter-press somewhat in a corner, as to 
leave very wide outer and bottom margins for illustration. One of these was 
split by Allan into nine volumes, and extensively pictured, especially with 
original drawings. It was also purchased at the sale by Sotheby in Dec, 
] 844, and now lodges near Camden. 

Mr. Bailey (Hutchinson's draughtsman and engraver) and Samuel Wil- 
kinson, of the King's Head Inn, Darlington, were frequently in his employ, 
copying drawings and making original ones.* 

He was a kind friend to his correspondent John Wallis, the historian of 
Northumberland, who never attained to anything better than a curacy of 30/. 
per annum :-f* and, amongst other eminent literary characters, J Mr. Allan 
also corresponded with that redoubted champion of ancient lore, and anti- 
Wartonian critic, Joseph Kitson, who was making collections (now in the 
possession of R H. Allan, esq.) for a history of Stockton. " I have a book/' 
says he to Mr. Allan, "which contains every scrap I could pick up relative 
to this place, and am only in want of the key of an old chest in the Town- 
house, which I have not yet got through the ignorance and ill nature of the 
Steward (who has often promised me), and the folly of the Mayor, to com- 
plete my collections/^ " My father (says Mr. George Allan, jun.) gave 
him an introduction to the British Museum, in which his labour commenced. 
I have lived in the same house with him two or three days at a time, at Mr. 
Harrison's, in Durham ; and, to do him justice, he was very good company ; 
but it may be accounted for, as he considered Ins host as his infallible oracle 
in black-letter research. I met him once at a gentleman's table in London ; 
and, being for that year steward for the charity instituted in Durham, for 
the benefit of widows and orphans of the clergy, I ventured to ask him for a 
benefaction, as I knew he had property in the county. He snarled furiously, 
and I was afraid he would have bit too ; but he answered, with less wit and 
acrimony than I expected, ' The drones in the Cathedral at Durham ought 
to maintain their own brats ! ' " 

* 1778. w Mr. Bailey has left Darlington, and is now mathematical master at a school 
above Auckland." 

+ In 1779, he thanks Pennant "as much as if it were for himself," for his kind hint of 
Wallis to the Dishop of Durham, who, however, had to reply that from the size of his list 
of persons for promotion and his bad health, his good will would never be of service. 
W,allis had been curate, pro tempore, of Haughton-le-Skerne, in 1775, he then removed to 
the curacy of Billinghain, which increasing infirmaties compelled him to resign and 
remove to Norton, where he died, with all the consciousness of a well-spent life, in 1793, 
aged 79. Bishop Barrington allowed him, in the most feeling manner, an annual pension, 
after his resignation of his curacy. 

t Mr. Beckwith, in his edition of Blount's Tenures, 1784, offers his acknowledgments to 
Allan for many tenures in the bishoprick, and the notes marked A. One of these was the 
following: — " About seven years ago, a white hare was found in the grounds near Great 
Aycliffe, in the county of Durham, which for upwards of two years had been several times 
hunted by many dogs, and as often beat them, for which reason the hare was reputed a 
witch, by the vulgar. At last she was killed. Mr. Allan, of Darlington, got the skin, had 
it stuffed, and hung up as a curiosity for above two years, till it decayed, and was thrown 
away. It was not of a very white fur, but rather a grey." 

§ " Stockton, April 19th, 1775.— Sir, — As I am informed, a history of the county pala- 
tine is shortly to be expected from you; and as your collection of materials equals, I doubt 
not, the grandeur of your design, you will most probably have several papers relative to the 
History and Antiquities of Stockton. If it be so, and you would be pleased to permit me 
to inspect them, either at Darlington or here, I shall ever retain a grateful sense of the 
favour. In return, if my service, in procuring you any information you may want in this 
place or its neighbourhood, would be worth your acceptance; I shall with the greatest 
pleasure receive your commands on the occasion. I am already possessed of several papers 
relating to this town, but the principal sources of intelligence (which I conjecture to be 
at Durham), 1 could have no access to. I wish you all the success in the undertaking you 
can desire; and am, &c, J. Ritson." 

In 1776, he was busily searching for Allan in the London records. 

2 W 



Xviii FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

In 1 790, on the death of his father, Mr. Allan declined business ; but with 
unremitted ardour continued his antiquarian and other scientific amusements, 
and made a very considerable addition to his stock of curiosities (of which he 
had always been a collector), by the purchase (at the splendid price of 700/.) 
of the entire museum of his departed friend Marmaduke Tunstall, esq., 
F.RS., and S.A.,* of Wycliffe Hall, co. York, in which the collection of 
birds alone is said to have cost 5,000/. ■)* An interesting memoir of Tunstall, 
who was considered an able Zoologist of his day, is prefixed to the 
"Synopsis, 1827," of the Allan museum by the late George Townshend Fox, 
of Durham, esq., F.L.S. Mr. Allan named the subjects scientifically in a 
very masterly manner, the labels were in the neatest and most beautiful 
writing, with the common and scientific names of the specimens, and refer- 
ences to authors. Of this museum, the birds alone filled a catalogue of two 
volumes. His accounts of the animals were drawn up in a remarkably well 
compressed form, containing oftentimes original notices, though, principally 
perhaps, selected from the works of authors he referred to. J A third volume 
of the catalogue comprised " A Collection of Curiosities brought by Captain 
Cook from Otaheite, &c. — a collection of Indian Armour inlaid with gold, 
consisting of Sabres, Bows, and Arrows ; — a small collection of Shells and 
Fossils ; some Reptiles, and a variety of specimens of Roman sculpture in 
Brass ; some Insects ; some Coins, a few rare ones — but the bulk chiefly of 
the Lower Empire ; a pretty numerous collection of provincial Half-pennies ; 
some specimens of Roman Pottery, and Chinese Curiosities." He had many 
Roman antiquities, querns, altars, crosses, § seals, coins, and Roman pottery, 
with several fibulas from Piersebridge, &c. 

The museum was removed from Wycliffe to Mr. Allan's residence at 
Grange, where it occupied two large rooms on the North side of the house. 
The greater room was principally filled with the birds, the cases of which were 
so placed in partitions, back to back, as to form the room into three smaller 
apartments, through which you passed by two arches in the centre : — On the 
. first, " These are thy glorious Works, Parent of Good :" and on the second, 
" O Lord, how manifold are thy Works — in wisdom thou hast made them all: 
the earth is full of thy wisdom." On the entrance to the museum was hung 

* Author of a Synopsis of British Birds, folio. See Lit. Anecdotes, iii. 688. 

+ " Mr. G. A. has been with me to spend a day at Mr. TunstalFs. I wish you had been 
with us. Such a collection of books, manuscripts, paintings, prints, coins, gems, &c.,is not 
every day to be seen. I have good authority for saying they cost him above 20,000?. In- 
deed, this account came from his brother, who has still a much larger collection. For Mr. 
Constable's house is a palace, and the gallery a Vatican ; but he can well afford it, having 
the best fortune of any Roman Catholic commoner in the kingdom. 

" The latest news from Durham is, that Liddell has won a wager by having a wolf to 
sleep with him all night, on or in the same bed, 1 know not which.'" — Rev. Daniel Watson 
to Harrison. 

% Fox. Preface to Synopsis. 

If At the Allan Museum was the crosier of Abbot Seabroke, of Gloucester, who d. 1457, 
and the head of a very early one of Easby in ivory, which are both figured in Fox's Synop- 
sis, tiles from Fountains' high altar pavement, the supposed font of Easby with the arms 
of Roaldus ? (or Aske ?), Scrope of Masham, Neville, Fitzhugh, Mowbray (Percy ?), Earls 
of Digby ? Az. a bend of the limb of a tree reguled and truncked, and surmounted by a 
rose or a wheel or (Query a rebus) ar,d Sa. a rose and stem or. Mr. Allan coloured them 
as above, but see a full disquisition on them and a cut in Fox, who doubts whether it was 
a font, for its having no pedestal and no perforation. The font however at Thornton Stew- 
ard is quite as low in design. There was too an old painting of Christ's head, on wood, 
inscribed, " This present figure is the similitude of our Lord Jesus oure Savior imprinted 
in Amyruld by the predecessors of the Greate Turke and sent to the Pope Innocent the 
VIII. at the cost of the Greate Turke for a token for this cawse to redeme his brother that 
was takeyn presonor." Innocent VIII. was Pope 1484-1492. All these were taken to New- 
castle as also a " seal of Lord Darlington, in yellow vmx. Antient^ 7 and a silver seal, found 
in a grave in Croft churchyard, 1787, inscribed, " S. ANDREE PISTORIS." 



ALLAN THE ANTIQUARY. xix 

a label with these words, " Quid hie f Intueri naturam" " To many of 
the departments," says Mr. Surtees, iii. p. 371, " Mr. Allan made considera- 
ble additions. Paintings were not forgotten ; these filled every pannel, 
gradually insinuated themselves along the passages, and clothed the walls of 
the great staircase/' Of the portraits, some of the most remarkable were, 
Anna Boleyn, by Holbein ; Lord Fairfax, three quarters' length, by Sir 
Peter Lely (sold to G-. Hartley, esq., for 37/. 16s.) ; Sir Henry Wotton, by 
the same (sold to G. Hartley, esq., for 221. Is.) ; Lady Oastlemaine, by the 
same (bought in, and still at Grange) ; William, Earl of Pembroke, and his 
lady, by Jansen (bought in) ; Margaret, sister to Henry VIII, when young,* 
by Mauberge (sold for 11/. lis. to Messrs. Todd, of York) ; Polly Jones, in 
crayons, by Cotes (bought in, and still at Grange ; see Walpole's anecdotes, 
iv., 127) ; Companion of Lady Seaforth, in crayons, by Gainsborough (5/). 
There were also several admirable crayon-drawings, by Francis Place, of the 
Dinsdale family ; inter alia : — Philip Woolrych, esq.-}" (21. 6s.) ; a fine head 
of Charles II. ; and William Penn and his wife (sold to Surtees, resold 
to the late John Allan, esq., at the Surtees sale, and now at Blackwell 
Hall). Mr. Surtees also bought an original sketch of Henry VIII. Then 
there were a lion-hunt, by old Wyke (sold to G. Hartley, esq., for 221. Is.); 
a landscape, by Teniers (sold to Capt. Watts, R.N., for 61. 6s.) ; and the 
head of a corpse " horriblv expressive," by Caracci (sold to Rev. J. Robson 
for 10/. 10s.). 

The museum was first opened (gratis) for public inspection in June, 
1 792 ;| and from that time to January, 1796 (three years and a half), it 
had been viewed by 7,327 persons, as we are informed by a printed label of 
Mr. Allan's, now at Grange. 

This noble collection was sold under Mr. Allan's will, and was bought of 
the executors in 1801 by his son, remaining at the Grange till 1822, when, 
under the auspices of G. Townshend Fox, esq.; John Adamson, esq., of 
Newcastle ; and John Trotter Brockett, esq., of the same place, the museum 
articles were purchased by the Literary and Philosophical Society of New- 
castle-upon-Tyne, for 400/. 

The celebrated Thomas Bewick drew many of his birds from this collection ; 
indeed the WyclifFe museum was the origin and occasion of his work. Allan 
had patronized him at least as early as 1779, when he inclosed Gough " a 
specimen of engraving on wood by a young man at Newcastle." Bewick 
was then busily employed on his " Quadrupeds." 

In 1791 Mr. Allan offered to copy pedigrees from the Leicestershire 
Visitation of 1619, for that " veteran in the field of topography," John 
Nichols, esq., F.S.A. "It has ever," said he, "been a pleasure to me to 
lend every assistance in my power to forward any literary work."§ 

* She visited Darlington Manor House, in 1502, on her journey to meet her royal spouse 
in Scotland. 

+ He married Anne, dr. of John Killinghall, of Middleton St. George, esq., by his wife 
Margaret, dr. and coh. of Wm. Lambton, of Great Stainton, esq. Mrs. Woolrych died at 
Darlington, in 1723, aged 91. 

+ " A society has lately been instituted at Darlington, for the promotion of the know- 
ledge of natural history, antiquities, &c, which, from the public characters of several of its 
members, we have every reason to believe will flourish. It is intended to consist of cor- 
responding as well as ordinary members. George Allan, esq., F.A.S., has opened his 
museum for the use of the society."— Gent. Mag. for Nov. 1793. 

§ Sir John Prestwick, in his " Respublica," which contains a copious account of the 
name and arms of Allan, thanks Mr. Allan for " his politeness when he made the tour of 
the northern parts of Britain," and designates him as an " esteemed friend,"— a "learned, 
studious, and careful preserver of English antiquities, and a favourer of literature." 



XX FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

A few years before his death, he borrowed a MS. Visitation of Yorkshire, 
by Dugdale, which he accurately copied in two volumes folio, and emblazoned 
the arms in a very beautiful manner. Sir M. M. Sykes purchased the origi- 
nal (which was, however, in fact only a copy itself), but Allan's copy was 
preferable. It is now in the Durham library, and has a portrait of Sir 
William Dugdale, from Dallaway's Heraldic Inquiries. In the same collec- 
tion is a copy of Flower's Visitation, 1575, with St. George's, 1615, incor- 
porated, and some additions by Allan, as well as a volume containing sixty- 
five pedigrees of Durham families, with upwards of two hundred richly em- 
blazoned shields, and numerous monuments, registers, grants of arms, &c, 
" collected by George Allan, Darlington, F.A.S." 

Whilst thus usefully and pleasantly employing his fortune and his leisure, 
he was interrupted by a warning thus described in a letter to the Rev. Daniel 
Watson, rector of Middleton-Tyas in Yorks., Aug. 8, 1797. " On Tuesday 
week, £t Grange, I was suddenly seized with a paralytic stroke, which de- 
prived me of all reason and sight for near two hours. I was writing, when 
seized, and fell off my chair. Till Tuesday last, I continued very poorly ; 
however, I thought a stir Irom home, with more exercise, might relieve me ; 
and accordingly I arrived here last night, and I have the pleasure to say, I 
am daily grown better, and hope to God I shall soon recover, though my 
eyes and head are still much affected." 

He again, however, rallied ; and resuming his former occupations, survived 
till May 17, 1800, when he died at his seat at Grange, aged 64. " George 
Allan, of Blackwell Grange, in this Parish, Esquire, died May 17th, Buried 
May 24th, Age 64 years." — (Darlington Par. Reg.) He was buried in the 
Grange vault in the North transept of the church. 

Mr. Allan had portraits of himself and Mr. Hutchinson engraved in one 
plate. The two are seated in council, Hutchinson engaged in writing his 
history under the guidance of Allan, who holds a charter of Pudsey, and has 
before him a pedigree of Neville.* Durham cathedral appears (through a 
window) in the distance. The plate was sent by Mr. G. Allan, jun., to Nichols, 
who inserted it in the eighth volume of his Literary Anecdotes.-)- " The por- 
traits (says the donor) were painted by an itinerant artist [J. Hay], and 
engraved by Oollyer. Both have done ample justice to the subject, as better 
likenesses never were exhibited. It was intended by my father as frontis- 
piece to the first volume of the History of Durham ; but he changed his 
mind in consequence of the trial at Newcastle, between the printer and Mr. 
Hutchinson. On that occasion Mr. (now Sir Alan) Chainbre led the cause 
on the part of the printer ; and among other matters of sarcasm, he held up 
the print in his hand, and said, ' This is the representation of Mr. Allan and 
his amanuensis Mr. Hutchinson ; and there is a dog placed between them. 
What is the dog intended to represent ? — but my client who has been used 
like a dog!' Sir Alan Chambre is now (1814) a Judge of the Common 
Pleas : but my father considered he had been under professional obligations 
to him at a former period, and did not expect him to be witty at his expence. 
I believe he never forgot it ; nor would he, when the last volume of the 

* A tomb of Neville, charged with the saltire, in a ruin, also appears in Allan's book- 
plate, engraved by Bailey. The descent from that noble race may be hinted at. The same 
insignia occur in his portrait at Blackwell Hall. 

+ Some of the earlier copies of the plate are coloured. It is said by Brockett to b e 
sometimes prefixed to the collections relating to Sherburn Hospital, but the remark must 
apply in a very limited sense, as the plate was engraved some years after that private 
publication. 




:■ 1828, JEt.61. 



cy3CajMa/06C/ ~cZrt 



Died 21* Jnlv_ 



_7^> J'Zafc ts mscrift ] ed 



fc> Aw .Memory fiy 




ALLAN THE MP. X xi 

History was published, permit the print to be applied as originally intended. 
He was particularly fond of dogs, and animals of all descriptions ; though I 
have heard him say, he never saw a partridge shot, or a hare taken, in his 
life. I was present when he was sitting for the portrait, and a very old 
favourite placed his feet on his knees ; which being observed by the painter, 
he said, ' Pray let them stay there, it will assist the drawing/ " 

The late John Trotter Brockett, esq., F.S.A., who purchased the plate of 
Nichols, had prepared a life of Mr. Allan, which, it is probable, will be pub- 
lished by his son, William E, Brockett, esq. 

The antiquary was succeeded at Grange by his son, another George 
Allan (born July 8, 1767,) generally known as " Allan the Member/' 
with whom, after the fashion of his father James, he had been on only indif- 
ferent terms. " It was my misfortune also/' says the son, " to differ with my 
father for a period of three or four years, which I chiefly spent on the con- 
tinent ; but it is an heartfelt satisfaction to me to recollect we were recon- 
ciled some years before his death. I was not at his house when the event 
took place ; but my sister informed me that her father executed a very short 
will only an hour before his death, on which occasion he said, 1 1 alwavs 
promised my books and prints to George ; but, as I leave little, and he will 
have enough, he must buy them, but you will not drive a hard bargain/ 
The late Mr. Todd, a very respectable bookseller, of York, was sent for ; his 
valuation was satisfactory to all parties, and I am possessed of what I esteem 
more than if I had had a considerable legacy in money/' 

The younger George " was not more distinguished for his literary talents 
than for an elegant, accomplished, and generous mind, and the most bland 
and conciliatory manners and demeanour/' The Rev. Daniel Watson, rector 
of Middleton-Tyas, had, while curate of Mugo-leswick, the tuition of Dr. John 
Carr* (a native of that place), who afterwards repaid the service by treating 
young Dan, the eldest son-[- of his preceptor, along with young George Allan, 

* Carr's correspondence is full of " punctual pleasantry." " I think," says he to Allan, 
senior, "Mr. Hutchinson should be at the expense of purchasing from the Heralds' College, 
in London, all the Durham families recorded there. Such of his subscribers as have had 
fathers and grandfathers, would, no doubt, be glad to see themselves in the midst of so 
much good company as it is in Mr. Hutchinson's power easily to assemble. The Heralds' 
visitation comes down to about 1660 or 1666, but it would not be difficult (except, perhaps, 
for such poor devils as J. C.) to fill up the succeeding years with a suitable number of 
knights and esquires, all in their best apparel. If 1 were this moment in the church of St. 
Helen's Auckland, I should look about, before it went out of my mind, for a brazen ances- 
tor, with an e to his name, Carre- Prior's ' Son of Adam and Eve ' is a very good transla- 
tion of Atavis editus, two words which I have adopted as my motto, conveying, as I 
think, no bad satire on family pride. However, after all, good blood is a good thing P 

Carr was also chosen for young James Allan's tuition, and often had to acknowledge the 
receipt of salmon and goodly goose-pies, bearing evident marks of Darlington. When 
young George was at Chelmsford with the Durham militia, only a few months before his 
master's death, he wrote to him, and in a postscript added that Mrs. Allan's poor favourite 
Tom was deadj and that she despaired of getting a poet in the whole garrison to sound his 
praise. Tom was a cat that had often visited the doctor with them, and had travelled on 
the continent and elsewhere, constantly on their carriage. The old man once more took 
up pen and returned a poetical answer, full of good nature and playful humour. He died 
in 1807. He had a brother Joseph, who never attained any preferment higher than a 
curacy in Northumberland, and who died at Allendale, in 1806. 

After old Allan's death, Carr had some correspondence with Gough, as to parting with 
the museum, which had been directed to be sold for the benefit of those to whom the 
personal estate was left, but the price offered by Mr. Fothergill, of York, not exceeding 
what young George himself, who was reluctant at parting with his father's collections, was 
inclined to give, he bought them all, and for a time they continued at Grange. 

+ He unfortunately died in 1783. His father writes in the beginning of that year to 
Allan, the antiquarian : — " I return George's exercises; very good ones. Dr. Carr takes 
great pains in grounding him in Greek. A hive of bees ! Some Linnaeus and Aldrovandus, 
or, perhaps, a Pennant, must be found for Dan ; for the old trade of poring in hedges and 
ditches for weeds and insects still goes on. George is more usefully employed, and will 



xxii FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

at Hertford school in the most affectionate manner. It may be mentioned 
to Mr. Watson's honour, that he resigned his vicarage of Leek on his ap- 
pointment to Middleton-Tyas, from noble and conscientious scruples, and it 
is remarkable that the venerable Dr. Thomas Zouch, who stated this fact on 
his departed friend's monument in Bath cathedral, himself afterwards refused 
a bishoprick. Watson was the author of a very superior " Historical Cate- 
chism on the progress of revealed religion, &c./' of which thousands have 
been distributed in all parts of the world, and was intimate with all the head 
churchmen of his day. His correspondence was truly delightful. He died 
in J 804, at Bath, aged 86. 

Young Allan took the degree of M.A. at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, after a 
brilliant curriculum in collegiate acquirements.* 

In 1 79 7, he proceeded on a continental excursion with his wife. His rea- 
sons are best given in his own words. " Some time previous to the year 
1796, I had meditated a tour through the whole Russian dominions — to see 
at once society in its progress from a rude state to refinement, and to have it 
in my power to contemplate on the spot as well the splendid grandeur of a 
court, as the efficient means by which a government can extend its influence 
over such a vast and boundless empire. I had beyond this a strong inclina- 
tion to look into the mysteries of the Greek church, and by attending to the 
general laws, commerce, manners and customs of such a distant people, I 
flattered myself I might have returned with some little addition to the know- 
ledge I set out with/' 

Unfortunately at Memel he received letters of family importance, which 
precipitated a hasty return to England, through Prussia and Pomerania to 
Stettin. But the result was a charming MS. volume entitled " Travels and 
miscellaneous observations in a series of familiar letters written in the year 
1797/'i* His elegant language glides on in one unruffled stream, and depth 
of thought is everywhere mingled with extreme beauty of expression. J In 

soon be up to him. But traJiit sua quemqua voluptas ; and one man has as mucli pleasure 
in making mouse-traps as another has in calculating the return of the great comet." 

" Dr. Carr has endangered his veracity by boasting of the improvements of his native 
country. It is our business to assist him. His words are, ' what do you think one of those 
very large sheep in the county of Durham, called Mugs, would weigh, put into the scales 
alive, with his fleece on his back ? Talking on this subject lately, I endangered my credit, 
I am afraid, and wish for chapter and verse.' Get me well-authenticated intelligence as 
soon as you can, but without the trouble of weighing, from some of your most respectable 
gentleman farmers. A wager, at Lewes, in Sussex, once occasioned the late Billy Hodgson, 
in Bishop Trevor's service, to order a leg of mutton to be bought in Darlington market, 
and sent to Lewes ; which convinced the infidels in Sussex, how much our sheep exceeded 
theirs in size." — Watson to Geo. Allan, sen. 

* " Dear Sir,— A letter, not from your grandson, whose modesty prevented him writing 
himself, but from one of his friends, has given me so much satisfaction, that I cannot resist 
the pleasure I have in communicating it to you. 

When he appeared in the soph's school, out of 16 arguments advanced against his ques- 
tion, he took off 12. And the moderator dismissed the combatants with these words :— 

Domini opponentes, satis et optime disputastis: Tu autem; Domine Respondens, non sine 
magno acumine ingenii satis et optime disputasti, et in hoc tuo certamine, utprim%tsordinis, 
tantum exemplum industries prebuisti, ut non solum de me, sed de tota academia tandem 
maximam mereris. 

He being the first fellow commoner that ever appeared in the schools, occasioned a most 
astonishing audience, above 200. The compliment is equally great and just, and does him 
honour that will not soon be forgotten. I sincerely give you joy of it, and am, dear sir, 
your much obliged humble servant, D. Watson. Middleton Tyas, March 11th, 1788. To 
James Allan, esq., Grange." _ . . 

The severe James must have greatly delighted, for whatever might be the state ot teelmg 
between father and son, that between grandfather and grandson was of a very pleasant 
description. 

+ Now possessed by R. H. Allan, esq. 

X The translation into English by A. Anderson Feldborg, of the " Great and good deeds 
of Danes, Norwegians, and Holsteinians, collected by Ove Mailing," is thus dedicated :— 



ALLAN THE M.P. xxiii 

after years he chose Nichols's Literary Anecdotes (vol. viii) as a repository 
of most amusing memoirs of his father, and Carr, Cade, Harrison, Watson, 
Noble,* and Heyrick, which were " freely and lightly sketched by his gentle- 
manly pen." " His light and elegant manner/' indeed, as Surtees truly 
remarks. " adorned whatever it touched."*)- 

Mr. Surtees says that he "is indebted to the kindness of many valued 
friends, for a large portion of the MS. collections already in existence relative 
to the county. Under this head his first acknowledgments are due to George 
Allan, of Grange, esq., M.P., for the whole of his late father's collections, 
enriched by the MSS. of Randall, and a large portion of those of Gyll and 
Hunter." 

For the " unreserved communication of this invaluable collection," Sir 
Cuthbert Sharp, in his " History of Hartlepool," acknowledges his obligations 
to the antiquary's worthy son, to whom that able work is thus dedicated : — 
" To George Allan, esq., M.A., F.S.A., Member of Parliament for the City 
of Durham ; this attempt to delineate the ancient and modern history of 
Hartlepool, is dedicated with every sentiment of esteem and friendship." 

Mr. Robert Harrison, one of Allan's memoralizecl literary heroes, was 
Master of Trinity School (where he had the honour to number the illustrious 
brothers Lords Eldon and Stowell among his pupils), in Newcastle, and a 
fellow tourist of the older Allan ; and afterwards lived in quiet competency at 
Durham. His dress at dinner was neat, a dark blue coat without a collar, 
but not exactly a century old in fashion. When he walked out he wore a 
triangular hat, and carried a cane with a large amber head to it. During his 
last stay at Grange (June, 1802, he died the November following, aged 88 J) 
a gentleman who had seen much of the world, and who had been introduced to 
Harrison, on getting into his carriage said, " Mr. Allan, when I was first in- 
troduced, I thought you possessed one of the most extraordinary pieces of 
library furniture I could have imagined, either of ancient or modern times ; 
but, since dinner, I find in Mr. Harrison, if it were permanent, you would 
possess an ample library, if you had not a single book in the house." 

He wore his beard in fashion exactly like that portrayed by Carlo Dolci in 
his famous Ecce Homo at Burleigh, and it was erroneously said that he let 
his beard grow out of respect to the memory of the Saviour, but the real fact, 
says Mr. Allan, was this — " He had been accustomed to shave himself : and 
that operation he performed, after having lathered his face, as he walked up 
and down his book room, with a book in one hand and a razor in the other, 
seldom looking at a glass. About the age of 78 his hand began to shake, 
and he employed a barber. This fellow often interrupted him when busy 

" To George Allan, of Blackwell Grange, in the county of Durham, esq., Sir, — To your liberal 
patronage the following pages, principally, are indebted for their existence, and I cannot 
usher them into the world unaccompanied by my most grateful acknowledgements. But 
public testimonials, sir, are feebly expressive of private feelings; — my proud attachment 
lives in my heart, and will cherish every opportunity of displaying the zeal and fidelity 
with which I have the honor to be, most respectfully, sir, your most obedient, and most 
humble servant, A. Anderson Feldborg. Loudon, June 4, 1807." 

* The Rev. John Noble, master of Scorton, to whom a handsome monument was erected 
by his quondam scholars in Bolton-on-Swale parochial chapel. The idea seems to have 
originated with Mr. Allan, sen. 

*t* I am indebted at almost every turn of this memoir to the brilliant effusions of his 
" gentlemanly pen." 

X Anne Harrison, of the city of Durham, late Hett, of Darlington, wife of Rob. Harrison, 
gent., late master of the Trinity House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, d.. 8 bur. 10 June, 1799, aged 
82. Robert Harrison, of the city of Durham, gent-, a widower, d. 29 Oct., bur. 2 Nov., 1802, 
aged 85. — Darlington Reg. 



xxiv FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

with his books, and often for two or three days together did not attend at all. 
I was with him one morning when he was anxious to walk with me to, Bp. 
Cosin's library in Durham ; and his patience in waiting for the tonsor being 
exhausted, he said suddenly, 'Let us walk, and my beard may grow on/ 
He permitted his beard to grow after that time, and often exulted in the com- 
fort he said &tf had experienced in having dismissed the shaver/'* 

He constantly wore a close coif of black silk on his head, such as the Ser- 
jeants formerly wore, and his profile strongly resembled that of Oliver Crom- 
well, and though generally known as Philosopher Harrison, and esteemed by 
the vulgar as a Magician and Atheist, he was a sound Christian, and the day 
before his death corrected a young lady who, by accident, was reading to him 
the wrong lesson for the day. His knowledge was astonishing, especially as 
a linguist and mathematician, and in alluding to any passage he could direct 
to any particular edition, and even to the page. ' 

His historian concludes, " It is to me a proud recollection, that I enjoyed, 
as a young man, the familiar friendship of three such men as Dr. Carr, Mr. 
Cade, and Mr. Harrison/' 

The Rev. John Warcopp, sometime of St. Andrew Auckland and Conis- 
cliffe, was one of the scholars intimate with the two Allans and Harrison. 
An unaccountable Bibliomania seized him after he was unable to read. Allan 
sen., once wrote to Harrison to say, as to some promised books for Warcopp ; 
" It will make no difference whether you send a Latin Bible or the Pilgrim's 
Progress." On the cover of his will, deposited with the antiquary of Grange, 
was written in his own hand, " Where the tree falls, there let it lie ;" and in 
obedience to the precept he was buried at Heighington, where he died in 
1 786. 

In 1809 Bishop Barrington omitted the names of the Rev. Robert Spencer 
and Mr. Curry from the peace commission for some unintentional illegality 
in granting a publican's licence at Auckland. Much aDgry correspondence 
ensued, and Allan, remembering former days, rose as a lion. There is much 
fine offended feeling, conscious of equality in his manifesto. It reminds one 
of an emperor's diction : — 

" My lord, he who presumes to address your lordship is George Allan, of Blackwell 
Grange, in the county of Durham, Esquire, one of his Majesty's Deputy Lieutenants, 
a Barrister-at-Law of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple of London, and 
Master of Arts of Trinity Hall, in the University of Cambridge. He is the representative 
of an old and respectable family of the same name; and, as is known to your Lordship, 
he inherits ample possessions on either side of the river that divides the two counties of 
York and Durham .+ It may nevertheless be a matter of surprise to many, though 

* Harrison's propensities are whimsically hinted at by Allan, the M.P., in a letter to 
him from Memel. " 18 Dec, 1797, — I could have made you a present of a, pipe, as well as 
book, of which there is a wonderiul variety in this part, but I recollect you have no con- 
temptible collection at home. Here it is an article of most expensive luxury, and the 
exchange of a horse for a pipe is most common among intimate and sworn friends. I have 
myself smoked with a pipe highly ornamented and at least three yards in length. I could 
tell you something about beards also, but that perhaps will come with better effect when I 
get among the Jews in Poland." 

f " Mr. A. thought proper to commence his address in the above manner (though it 
may appear quaint or affected) both that he might avoid egotism, and that he might have 
an opportunity to inform his lordship in a note, that by a statute unrepealed, justices of 
the peace are to be made of the most sufficient knights, esquires, and gentlemen of the law 
within the county. He by no means wishes to insinuate that the present bench at Durham 
is not as respectable as that of any county in the kingdom. On the contrary, he knows the 
justices to be boni et liabiles, honourable men, and fully capable of the administration of 
their office. He has the modesty too to believe, they have not experienced any loss, in the 
want of his assistance, during the years his name has been omited in the commission. 
Whether the proceedings in his lordship's court of common pleas are conducted with the 
same decorum as those of the quarter sessions, he cannot tell. He remembers to have 



ALLAN THE-M.P. XXV 

perhaps none to your Lordship, that he who for some years past has devoted himself 
altogether to a literary retirement, should obtrude himself either on your notice or that 
of the public. But your Lordship's illegal (he will not say, as some have done, un- 
christian-like) conduct towards two of the magistrates of the county, has called to his 
recollection his own case with your Lordship, and he is induced at once to offer his 
opinion, and to add his decisive condemnation of the measures your Lordship has adopted. 
He pledges himself further, as soon as he can obtain a copy, to endeavor a refutation 
of every sentence contained in your Lordship's letter addressed to tWvery worthy 
chairman of the Quarter Sessions, which he has read, through the communication of a 
magistrate in the neighbourhood, but not with that strength of memory that would 
authorize the immediate attempt. If arrogance, or vanity, should be attributed to him 
on account of this address to your Lordship, he will only add, that those who know him 
will absolve him. By speaking of himself on this occasion, he intends to put his cha- 
racter in antithesis, as a private gentleman, with that of your Lordship. He claims 
indeed no merit from his descent, it would be foolish if he did; nor does he vaunt of any 
other attainment than the character of being an honest religious man, which he trusts 
he is entitled to in common with your Lordship. It can be at this time but of little 
moment that his father was a laborious antiquary, or that your Lordship's father was a 
presbyterian statesman. He claims however the merit of an education equal to that 
of your Lordship in every respect ; and setting that aside, his rank as a barrister, who 
had attended the courts at Westminster sedulously for ten years, his fortune and resi- 
dence in the county, and the circumstance of your Lordship having found his name in 
the peace and other commissions, on your coming to the see, and having continued it 
for some years afterwards, he humbly thinks altogether ought to have produced a more 
conciliating or probably a more gentlemanlike answer than the following, to a query, 
why the name of George Allan had been left out of the peace commission in the year 
1802? 

To George Allan, esq., Abingdon Street. 

Sir, — How your name was omitted in the last Durham Peace Commission, I cannot 
say, certainly not by any direction of mine ; but being a stranger, you will excuse me 
if I do not replace it, till I know whether the gentlemen in the neighbourhood want 
your assistance. 

I am with regard, S. Dunelm. 

To such a letter nothing short of a severe reply could be returned. If it was intem- 
perate, it must be attributed to the common infirmity of our nature. We are not equal 
to all times, but he who has the honour to address your lordship, trusts he has borne 
the affront with Christian patience, and but for recent circumstances, the matter would 
have been forgot equally by your lordship and himself." 

Mr. Allan then went on to the subject in question, and in conclusion says, 
" it may be proper for you to make a suitable atonement to the offended gen- 
try of the county ; for gentlemen of condition and independence will not 
gratuitously subject themselves to unmerited and capricious castigations." 

In another letter Mr. Allan announces himself as then prepared for the 
controversy, and says, " if any satellite of the Bishop of Durham will venture 
to undertake in his own name a general defence of his Lordship's secular 
character (as a regular ecclesiastic no one admires him more than I do ) I 
pledge myself again to crush him with a giant's strength/' A long anony- 
mous letter from " a Landlord on one side of the Tees," then appeared, ridi- 
culing Mr. Allan's manifesto in no small degree. Mr. Allan replied to this 
"miserable wretch" in a tone of supreme contempt, ending with, "I will at 
once give him the attribute due to impotent insolence and malignity, and 
pronounce him a fool, a liar, and a coward." 

Sir John Eden, bart., the chairman of the quarter sessions, in a letter 
dated Dec. 15, 1809, thus wrote to Mr. Allan: — "I honour you .for your 
labours in defence of the constitution, for I am decidedly of opinion that the 
Bishop's proceeding against Mr. Spence and Mr. Curry was not constitutional;" 

witnessed the late Mr. Ambler making a motion to the court, and then stepping on to the 
bench to grant it ; a circumstance which struck him at that time, though young, as mon- 
strously indecent." 

2x 



xxvi FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

and Michael Arigeld Taylor, esq., M.P., requested his name to be erased 
from the commission of the peace in consequence of the Bishop's irregular 
proceedings as Gustos Rotulorum. 

On the vacation of Mr. Lambton's seat in 1813, by his accepting the 
Chiltern Hundreds, a severe and expensive contest for Durham city ensued. 
Tt was of nine days duration, — the longest on record in the electioneering 
annals of Durham, and the candidates " bled" profusely, but on its termina- 
tion on the 10 Dec, Mr. Allan, who was a very popular man, was returned 
by a large majority ; and during the period that he sat in parliament his 
votes were consistent, and marked with the strict sense of independence.* 
During his parliamentary career he had a curious repository in his London 
residence which he termed Chaos. A room was divided by a high partition, 
on one side of which were thrown all his letters, notes, and waste papers in 
hopeless masses. What a scene for an autograph gatherer ! 

He was a candidate at the next election of 1818, but the Grange estates 
were now deeply sinned against, and two days before the election he took 
leave of the freemen. His farewell address, replete with eloquence, excited 
a powerful sensation at the time. " The constancy of my friends in London," 
says he, " my canvass in your city, and the general support of the distant 
voters, would have secured my return beyond a doubt ; but I have to repeat 
my inability to command such pecuniary resources as would be necessary to 
secure my election. If, however, at any future time I should be deemed 
worthy of your attention, you may rest assured I shall be ready to serve 
you ; and in thus taking my leave, if I said reluctantly, I should but ill ex- 
press the anguish of my feelings, when a retrospect to the day of my election 
calls to my view the proudest period of my life, and the present the most 
painful moment of my existence."-)- 

Mr. Allan, immediately after this election, retired to France, and lived at 
St. Omers, greatly respected, for several years " with limited means, yet 
without repining, and devoting his leisure to the pursuits of literature." 
There he died childless, after a short but severe illness, in 1828, his hearse 
being followed out of that town by the principal English gentlemen resident 
there, and the corpse brought to England. It was interred with his relations 
in the Grange vaults. 

The beautiful portrait^ of this gentleman, which by the kindness of R H. 

* The other candidate was George Baker, of Eleraore, in the county of Durham, esq., 
grandson of George Baker, esq., who represented the city in 1714. Regarding Mr. Allan's 
competitor for parliamentary honours, Mr. George Taylor, in his Life of Snrtees, spirit- 
edly enunciated the following observations: — "Persons who had never, probably, looked 
into a topographical history, till their attention was called to scenes and characters in 
which themselves and their families were immediately interested, felt astonished at the 
expenditure of money, labour, time, and talent manifested in Mr. Surtees's work. This 
feeling was characteristieallj' expressed by the late Mr. Baker, better known by his own 
designation of himself, as "the last George Baker, of Elemore :" the genuine representa- 
tive of the hunting and cock-fighting 'squires of the last century. — " I wonder, Mr. Surtees, 
why you spend so much money and time over a History of Durham." — " I wonder, Mr. 
Baker," (was the reply), " why you spend so much money and time in following a pack of 
hounds after a poor hare." — Books were the pointers that indicated, and hunters that 
enabled Surtees to pursue, higher game than was ever dreamed of in the imaginations of 
these men. By his profound researches he unearthed the forgotten wisdom and ennobling 
virtues, the deterrent vices and the fancy-stirring traditions of our ancestors ; teaching the 
men of present and future times not to narrow their minds by concentrated attention on 
what is now ; but to enlarge their view and comprehension of that, by reflection on what 
has been." 

+ In a letter to a friend dated Aug. 9, 1818, he says, " I tell you candidly and honestly, 
as an old and good friend, that, had I not resigned a single day too soon, I should have been, 
re-elected for Durham to a certainty." 

X Quite that of an Allan. A remarkable family likeness runs from the earliest portraits 
at Grange. 



THE GALLANT HAVELOCKS. XX vii 

Allan, esq., adorns this brief memoir, was originally presented by him to 
Surtees's Durham ; and no worthier tribute to the memory of the departed 
may be given than the lamented historian's own letter. " Mainsforth, Dec. 
27, 1833. — Dear Sir, I am very much obliged to you for the proofs. Accord- 
ing to my recollection, the likeness is admirable. It has been hit off in a 
happy moment, and fully expresses the character, a sort of mild educated 
countenance. I shall be very glad to grace my last volume with poor George's 
portrait ; for, with all his foibles, there were few men whom I loved better, or 
from whom I received more constant kindness* Believe me, yrs. most truly, 
R. Surtees. — To Robert Henry Allan, Esqre." 

The male line on the death of George Allan, the member, was again inter- 
rupted, and we must return to the issue of James Allan. Robert Allan, 
esq , the brother of the antiquary, had prospered so abundantly under the 
tender care of his good old father that he was enabled to bequeath to his son 
Robert, and daughters Elizabeth, Ann, and Mary, no less than 50,500/. in 
the Consols, besides leaving large landed estates, and a considerable amount 
on mortgages and bonds to his son John. By his wife, Elizabeth Harrison 
(whose sister Mary married William Russell, esq., of Brancepeth Castle-f^, 
lie had two sons, Robert Allan, and John Allan. The eldest, Robert Allan 
of Newbottle, co. pal., esq., married Hannah Havelock (the aunt of those 
gallant soldiers in India of the name J), and in 1811 joined his cousin George 

* Surtees had the run of all the valuable MSS. at Grange as long as they were there, 
and delighted in his visits to that elegant and hospitable retreat. Sir Cuthbert Sharp had 
a carte blanche, and took many away, and then almost the whole in volumes were sold to 
the Dean and Chapter of Durham, an account of which may be seen in MSS. Ecclesice 
Dunelm. Catalogus, printed in 1825. A few were disposed of by Sotheby, in December, 

+ " One of the richest commoners in England," and grandfather of the late Wm. Russell, 
esq., sometime M.P. for the county of Durham, (who died Jan. 30, 18.50, aged 51), and of 
Emma Maria Russell, now (1850> of Brancepeth Castle, married to the Hon. Gustavus 
Frederick Hamilton, only son of Vi-count Boyne, who has assumed by royal licence the 
name of Russell. The two brothers-in-law, Allan and Russell, carried on a bank in Sun- 
derland together in partnership, during the period of which they continued sinking the 
famous Wallsend Colliery, which had originally been commenced by a Mr. Chapman, 
though, before it was finally won, Allan withdrew from the concern, being alarmed at the 
increasing engineering difficulties. But Russell, possessing more nerve and less money to 
risk, persevered, and eventually won one of the best collieries ever known in the north, 
which afterwards brought him in prodigious wealth, and enabled him to purchase some of 
the finest estates in the county of Durham, which are now inherited by his descendant and 
heiress, the Hon. Mrs. Hamilton Russell. The coals of this eolliery were afterwards known 
by the name of Russell's Wallsend. A good mining speculation was not at all distasteful 
even to old James Allan, who it appears actually took a lease from the Killinghalls of the 
<opper mines at Barton, when, after much serious deliberation, prudence stepped in the 
way, and suggested to him the propriety of not engaging in operations of such a hazardous 
complexion. It may perhaps be proper to remark that this was almost a century ago, and 
that the engineering difficulties which then existed, would now, of course, be readily sur- 
mounted by the aid of the steam engine, and other improved modern mechanical ap- 
pliances. 

X 1848. Nov. 22. Killed in action at the head of his regiment, the 14th Light Dragoons, 
(in their desperate but successful charge, unsupported by either a single guu or bayonet, 
on the Sikh army, which was driven from the left bank of the Chenab, near the ford of 
Ramnuggar), Lieut. Col. Wm. Havelock, eldest son of Wm. Havelock, of Ford Hall, near 
Sunderland, and Ingress Park, co. Kent, esq., (who d. 1836, aged 82). He was born in 
1 795, and was created a knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order, for his services at 
Waterloo. 

" A more fearful sight," says a correspondent of the Agra Messenger, " was perhaps 
never witnessed on a field of battle, for the British army stood drawn up, both artillery and 
infantry, silent spectators of the bloody conflict of 450 sabres against an army amounting 
to more than 15,000 men, with heavy canon." Havelock, cheering, led on his 1st and 2nd 
squadrons down to the bank, then into the Nullah ; crossed it at a gallop, and coming to 
close quarters with the Sikhs, charged through and through their ranks, and sabred hun- 
dreds of the enemy under the most frightful shower of rnis&iles from tiieir cannon and 
matchlocks. They then retired a short distance, formed up, were joined by the remainder 
of the corps, and the 5th Cavalry, and again they went to their work. Then, amidst a 
terrific cannonade from the enemy's artillery, which swept away both men and horses, and 



xxviii FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

Allan, esq., M.P., in suffering recoveries of the entailed estates of Allan, and 
after the same were made chargeable with 83,000/. as portions for younger 
children and for other purposes, he resettled the same upon his eldest son, 
Wm. Allan, esq., for life, with various remainders over. Whilst the sales 
and apportionments, caused by this arrangement which was followed by two 
heavy Chancery suits, almost decimated the good old family estate ; they 
emancipated Darlington from the operation of an entail of many year's dura- 
tion, which had contributed in no small degree to retard building and other 
improvements in the town and the neighbourhood. The second son, John 
Allan, of Blackwell Hall, and Barton, esq., expended 34,300/. in purchases 
at Blackwell, and founded, in conjunction with the Killinghall and Sober 
lands, quite a distinct Allan estate. He was offered a Baronetcy in 1831, 
which he declined, and died before he could fulfil the office of High Sheriff 
of his native county to which he had been nominated, universally respected.* 

a shower of bullets which fell among the troops like hail, the gallant Havelock, in the front 
of his regiment, charged amidst the undiverted fire from the batteries of the enemy and 
met his death. He had his right arm severely wounded and his left leg and left arm nearly 
cut off, and was left dead upon the field; eleven of his men fell fighting by his side, and 
their bodies were found a fortnight after the fight, decapitated, when they were buried. 

This chivalrous sabreur had been engaged in all the glorious victories of the Peninsula, 
and was wounded at Waterloo, where he was Aide-de-Camp to Baron Alten, and received 
the cross of the Hanoverian order. The following singular act of heroism is recorded of 
him in Napier's Peninsular War : — 

" There, however, he (Giron) was arrested by a strong line of abbatis, from behind which 
two French regiments poured a heavy fire. The Spaniards stopped, and though the adven- 
turer Downie, now a Spanish general, encouraged them with his voice, and they kept their 
ranks, they seemed irresolute, and did not advance. There happened to be present an 
officer of the 43rd regiment, named Havelock, who being attached to General Alten's staff, 
was sent to ascertain Giron's progress. His fiery temper could not brook the check. He 
took off his hat, called upon the Spaniards to follow him, and putting spurs to his horse, at 
one bound cleared the abbatis, and went headlong amongst the enemy. Then the soldiers, 
shouting for " El chico bianco," (the fair boy," — so they called him ; for he was very 
young and had light hair); with one shock broke through the French ; and this at the very 
moment when their centre was flying under the fire of Kemp's skirmishers from the 
" Puerto de Vera." — (Gent. Mag- Obituary.) 

Another brother, Lieut. Col. Henry Havelock, C.B., deputy adjt. gen. of the Queen's 
forces at Bombay, is the author of a " History of the Burmese War," and of a " Narrative 
of the War in Affghanistan, in 1838-9." This latter officer commanded the right co- 
lumn of the handful of brave men (not exceeding 1700) under the gallant General Sale, 
when a glorious victory was obtained over Akhbar Khan's numerous army at Jellahabad, 
on the 7th of April, 1842. He was appointed a companion of the most hon. military order 
of the Bath, for the important services which he rendered on that occasion. This officer 
has since been honourably mentioned for his services at the battles of Tezeen, lstaliff, and 
Ferozepore, at which latter engagement his conduct " commanded the esteem and admi- 
ration " of the late gallant Sir John M'Caskill. At the sanguinary and decisive conflict at 
Sobraon, he assisted in conveying the commander-in-chief's orders to various points, " in 
the thickest of the fight, and the hottest of the fire." A third brother, Major C. F. Have- 
lock, late captain in the 16th Lancers, " was present," says Lord Gough, " in the field at 
Sobraon, but unable from the effects of a wound, [received at AliwalJ, to discharge the 
duties of his office." He then held the appointment of Dep. Assist. Quarter-Master-General 
of Cavalry. The youngest brother, Thomas Havelock, was killed in the Spanish service. 

* "1844. (Sept. 4). Died, at Limmer's Hotel, London, after a short but severe illness, 
aged 66, John Allan, of Blackwell Hall, in the county of Durham, esq., a justice of the peace 
for the county of Durham, and North Riding of the county of York. This mournful event 
has cast a deep gloom, more particularly over that part of the county, and the North Riding 
of Yorkshire, where he was universally esteemed and respected. To a mind imbued with 
the keenest sense of right and wrong, was added a suavity of manners and an unostenta- 
tious liberality, which won golden opinions from all ranks of society. For many years, 
even to the last of his valuable life, he was most assiduous in his duties as a magistrate, 
presiding at the petty sessions in the town of Darlington. Having a natural taste for the 
study of the laws of his country, the quickness of his perception and the soundness of his 
judgment were felt and appreciated, both by his brethren on the bench and the public. 
Connected with these acquirements, he possessed a vigour of intellect, a cheerfulness of 
disposition, and quickness of fancy, which gave a zest to his hospitality. Had his life been 
prolonged, he would have succeeded in the ensuing year to the important office of high 
sheriff for his native county. He could boast of a phalanx of friends. Few, if any, were 
to be found his enemies. To the poor he was always accessible — to whose appeals of disr 
tress his heart and hand were open as the day. His mortal remains were consigned tp the 




iS^f® $ 9> 




R. H. ALLAN, ESQ. xx i x 

In politics Mr. Allan, who spoke with fluency and much elegance, was a 
whig of the old school. At the elections in 1828 and 1831, he nominated 
his cousin, William Russell, esq., of Brancepeth castle, as a candidate for the 
representation of the county of Durham. In 1832 he acted as chairman of 
Mr. Robert Duncombe Shafto's committee, and in 1841, he nominated Lord 
Harry Vane for the Southern division of the county of Durham. 

William Allan, esq., had succeeded to the Grange with but the skeleton 
of its ancient estates ; and his uncle, John Allan, being childless, left him a 
portion of his estates, but the bulk was devised to another nephew, the second 
son of Robert Allan and Hannah Havelock, Robert Henry Allan, esq., 
F.S.A., now of Blackwell Hall, and Barton. This gentleman was one of the 
chief promoters of, and is the principal proprietor* in that important and suc- 
cessful work, the Hartlepool Dock and Railway ; an undertaking which has 
so much tended to advance the mining, commercial, and maritime interests of 
this county. He has also distinguished himself by the improvements 
he has effected in the large landed estates to which he has succeeded, and by 
his unwearied exertions as a justice of the peace, ever at his post.-)- He was 
the friend and correspondent of the late Robert Surtees, of Mainsforth, esq., 
the historian of the palatinate, and in 1 824 arranged for Mr. Thomas Hog- 
gett, bookseller, Durham, a useful little work, entitled "An historical and 
descriptive view of the city of Durham and its environs ; to which is added 
a reprint of Hegge's Legend of St. Cuthbert, from the edition of the late 
George Allan, esq., F.S_.A." This publication, which "is neatly got up, and 
elegantly edited/'J has since been republished, with additions, by George 
Procter, bookseller, Durham. In 1 829, Mr. Allan printed, sibi et amicis, 
a " Life of the late George Allan, esq., F.S.A., to which is added a catalogue 
of books and tracts printed at his private press at Blackwell Grange, in the 
county of Durham." Since this period Mr. Allan has devoted much time 
and labour in promoting the publication of various works connected with 
history, topography, and genealogy, the value of whose assistance is best 
evinced by the cordial acknowledgments of their several authors. § 

family vault in Darlington church, on the 9th instant. The assembled numbers, and the 
long train of friends who followed him to the tomb, were a tribute to the memory of one 
whose life had been characterised by kindness, charity, and good will to all men : 
Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus, 
Tam cari capitis ?" 
— Local Papers of 13 Sept., 1844. 

" I had the pleasure of being acquainted with Mr. John Allan for a very great number of 
years, and 1 can assure you there is no one for whom I entertained a higher regard and 
esteem." — Duke of Cleveland to R. H. Allan, esq., March 4, 1845. 

* In July 1850, the three principal proprietors in this undertaking held the following 
shares, viz., R. H. Allan, esq., 163 ; Henry Hill, esq., 142 ; and Mrs. Webb, 106. 

f " The Mayor of Durham (R. H. Allan, esq.,) entertained the Leet Jury of this city, to 
dinner, at the City Tavern, on Tuesday last; and as the worthy gentleman is about to 
remove from this city, to take up his residence on the estate left to him by the will of his 
late uncle, John Allan, esq., of Blackwell, he paid the members of the Town Council the 
compliment of including them in the invitation. Nearly forty gentlemen assembled on the 
occasion ; by whom the festivities of the evening were maintained until an advanced hour. 
The healths of the mayor and his lady were drank with the warmest enthusiasm ; and 
while all present felt regret at their separation from a gentleman who, during his long 
residence in the city, has won universal esteem and confidence, and who, in the office of 
mayor, has shown himself an able and upright magistrate, all rejoiced in his accession to 
the ample fortune of which he has become the possessor, which places him in the foremost 
rank amongst the gentlemen of the county, and will enable him to exercise his talents and 
virtues in a more extended sphere than has hitherto been afforded for their development." 
— (Durham Chronicle, 25 Oct., 1844.) 

% See review in Gentleman's Magazine, Nov., 1824. 

§ Among these may be enumerated the following : — The late John Burke, esq,, the emi- 
nent aud accomplished genealogist and author of the well-known " Peerage," handsomely 






XXX FAMILY OF ALLAN. 

The Allan garb of literature wears wonderfully. The voice of honest 
praise applied to cotemporaries is by many scarcely distinguished from flat- 
tery ; and the intimacy, of which I am justly proud, existing- between Mr. 
Allan and myself is a further drawback to my placing on paper, feelings 
which are the growth of neither vanity, nor altogether of a sense of patronag 
the most generous and undeserved. But this I may say, that even to correction 
and additions at the very moment of going to press, Mr. Allan (in addition 
to allowing boundless access to documents which have been used in almost 
every page of my "Darlington") has been a most faithful and obliging 
pioneer. It will indeed have been observed that this is the characteristic of 
the family. They have zealously assisted others rather than by any magnum 
opus secured the fame of authorship for themselves. Mr. Allan has also 
encouraged the arts by munificent donations of plates to various works :* 
stained glass to the church of St. Mary's the less, Durham, and to the new 
Town's Hall of Durham ; and communion plate to St. John's, Darlington : 
as well as by the insertion of an extremely handsome Gothic monumentf in 
the north side of the choir of St. Cuthbert's church, Darlington, from a design 
by Hopper, of London, which does great credit to the sculptor, Mr. John 
Day, of Bishopwearmouth, and forms a singular contrast to the stately classic 
tablet on the opposite wall, erected by George Allan, the antiquary. \ 

Blackwell Grange, § with its noble avenue of ancient limes filled with rooks ; 

acknowledges the assistance he received from Mr. Allan, in the compilation of his elaborate 
and important work, the " History of the Commoners," the first edition of which was pub- 
lished in 1833. The late Mr. John Sykes, in his "Local Records," 1833, makes his acknow- 
ledgments " to Robert Henry Allan, of Durham, esq., F.S.A., for his unsolicited favours in 
kindly communicating many valuable particulars, and also for his interest in obtaining for 
him several subscribers, he owes a deep sense of gratitude." The editor of Mackenzie and 
Ross's " History of the County Palatine of Durham," 1834, " tenders his thanks for many 
interesting communications, to Robert Henry Allan, esq., F.S.A., of Durham, the value of 
whose favours is enhanced by the manner in which they are conferred." John Walker 
Ord, esq,, the historian of Cleveland, 1846, " is deeply grateful to Robert Henry Allan, esq., 
for much valuable information." The third volume of the " Patrician," 1847, edited by the 
late John Burke, esq., has the following dedication : " To Robert Henry Allan, esq., F.S.A., 
of Blackwell Hall, co. Durham, the earliest and most constant promoter of the genealogical 
pursuits of the editor, this volume of the Patrician is inscribed with feelings of sincere 
esteem." 

* E. g. Surtees's Durham ; Robson's British Herald ; Burke's Heraldic Illustrations ; 
Brockett's intended Life of George Allan ; Longstaffe's Darlington, &c. 

+ It is of the perpendicular style, beautifully enriched. Along the basement are carved 
in the panelings seven shields of the armorial bearings of the families of Allan, Pemberton, 
Hind marsh, Killinghall, Herdewyke, Lambton, and Dodsworth. The following is the 
inscription :—" In this church are deposited the remains of George Allan, of Darlington, 
and Blackwell Grange, in the county of Durham, Esquire, (sixth son of George Allan, of 
Yarm, in the county of York, Esq.), bora in 1663, and died 24th March, 1744, aged 80 years. 
Also of his son George Allan, of Blackwell Grange, Esquire, born in 1694, and died 31 st 
July, 1 753, aged 58 years. Also of James Allan, of Blackwell Grange, and of Barton, in the 
county of York, Esquire, born in 1712, and died 19th January, 1790, aged 77 years. Also of 
his son George Allan, of Blackwell Grange, Esquire., F.S.A., the eminent antiquary and 
collector, born in 1736, and died 17th May, 1800, aged 63 years. Also of George Allan, of 
Blackwell Grange, Esquire, M.A., F.S. A, sometime M.P. for the city of Durham, (son of the 
last named George Allan), born in 1767, and died 21st July, 1828, aged 61 years. Also of 
John Allan, of Blackwell Hall, in this county, and of Barton, Esquire, M.A., a justice of the 
peace for the county of Durham , and North Riding of the county of York, (grandson of the 
above named James Allan), born in 1778, and died 4th September, 1844, aged 66 years. In 
testimony of his respect and affection for their memories, Robert Henry Allan, of Black- 
well Hall, and Barton, Esquire, F.S. A., caused this monument to be erected, a. d. 1845." 

£ " Choro ccelesti beatarum Virginum accessere, Dorothea et Anna Georgii Allan, de 
Blackwell Grange, arm. filise ; ilia, anno 1760, set 38 ; foeminarum dulce decus, et invidia 
major ; hsec, anno 1775, set 66, pauperum Solamen, omnium delicise, utraque Christianis 
virtutibus eximia ; has erga, et in memoriam Annse suae conjugis charissimse, anno 1787, 
a3t. 46, abreptse, hoc grati animi pignus posuit Geo. Allan, de Darlington." 

§ " In the way from Darlington to Blackwell, you pass the Grange, on an elevated situa- 
tion, with a S. E. aspect, long eminently distinguished as the seat of benevolence and the 
virtues ; ostentatious ornaments are not displayed here ; rural beauties and simplicity are 
maintained as the chief graces of this pleasant place."— -Hutch. Hist. Durham, III. p. 193= 



THE ALLAN SEATS. xxxi 

its laurelled walks, and choice accompaniments of every kind, is indeed a 
lovely retreat ; close to the town of Darlington, and yet with scarce a wall ; 
so bounded by pleasant plantations and verdant grass, that it loses not a 
charm of rural beauty. A delightful vista terminated by the tower of the 
church of St. John on the one hand, and a magnificent champaigne view end- 
ing in the Yorkshire hills on the other, constitute it the very spot for the 
man of refined and educated ideas. At the entrance of this elegant and spa- 
cious mansion lies a fragment of a coped tombstone, said to have come from 
Hartlepool, sculptured with foliage. The interior of the Grange is rich in paint 
ings, owing to the fine taste of its present owner, Wm. Allan, esq. Among 
these are the following, — ascribed to the masters annexed : — Cattle, by 
Morland ; two Game pieces, by Schnyder ; two Moonlight scenes, by 
Mespether ; Landscape, by Poussin, formerly in the Lambton mansion of 
Biddick ; portrait of a lady from Lumley Castle, said to be of a favourite 
of Prince Charlie, and inscribed "Wm. Verelst pinxit 1736 ;" Adam and 
Eve driven from Paradise, by Coypel ; a long and very minute prospect of 
Naples ; Groop of Cavalry, by Wooverman ; Landscape, by Both ; Zenobia 
at the tent of Aurelia, by Bassano ; Embarkment, by Murillo ; Satyrs and 
Bacchantes, by Berchet ; Cattle, by Rosa da Tivoli ; Head of Carravaggio, by 
himself ; and many others, some of which are mentioned in page xix, as 
having been bought in at the Grange sale.* 

The state chamber, where the family lie in the solemn pomp of death (of 
course a haunted spot), exhibits in its bedstead, mantlepiece, and panelling, 
some deeply undercut and fine specimens of carving. There is a very long 
and grand suite of rooms in Grange, extending through the Southern wing ; 
and a number of old portraits of the Allans, all bearing a striking resemblance 
to each other, look grimly down, and fill up the ideas of the stranger as to 
the long-continued residence and wealth of the inmates. 

Blackwell Hall, the elegant seat of Robert Henry Allan, esq , is also rich 
in pictures and prints. Robson's chef d' ceuvre in water colours, the celebrated 
view of Durham Cathedral, painted for Bishop Van Mildert, and which was 
purchased by its present possessor on his lordship's death, has found its way 
from Auckland castle to the stately dining-room (which has dined two hun- 
dred persons), built by the late John Allan, esq. This place has long rejoiced 
in a famous breed of terriers, two of which, " Pincher," and " Chivers/' have 
been immortalized in a capital picture by H. B. Chalon, an engraving of 
which, by Duncan, appears in the " New Sporting Magazine" for April, 1834. 
The views from the hall, over the Neville manor of Blackwell, through which 
the silvery Tees winds in a radiant line of light, or dashes down in darkness 
and in thunder, are extensive, rich, and exceedingly beautiful. The varied 
grounds contain fine specimens of the cypress, cedar of Lebanon (one of the 
finest examples in the North), and the singular tulip-tree. 

Here the vast collections of documents, title deeds, correspondences, and 
MSS. formed by James Allan and his son the antiquary (but principally 

* W. Harker, esq., of Theakstone Villa, near Bedale, possesses two fine paintings, formerly 
at Grange. One presents the head of St. John the baptist, held by his female foe in the 
charger, and by a convenient anachronism the circumstances which led to the wondrous 
grace of Herod. The other a not unusual design, " J. Hus, Bulinger, Zanchi, Cnox, Zuin- 
gle, Martin, Bucer, Prague, Perkins, Melanchton, Luther, Calvin, Beza, Whiclif," and an- 
other reformer round a table, on which a candle is triumphant over the fierce blowings of 
the Devil, the Pope, a cardinal, and a monk. This picture was, according to Allan the 
M.P.'s statement in a letter to the owner from St. Omers, sent in 1722, to the then George 
Allan, of Grange, by Lionel Allan, his wealthy cousin in Holland. There are several en- 
gravings from other variorum copies, some bearing the exclamation, " We cannot blow it 
out !" 



XXX11 



FAMILY OF ALLAN. 



the former), from which many new facts and conclusions have been, by the 
kindness of their custodier, dragged to light, are deposited. Yet many strong- 
holds are yet unexamined. The rich and early series relating to Barton, and 
Appleton-upon-Wiske, I have never had time to examine. But if it please 
God to permit me, in future years, to complete a cherished scheme of elabo- 
rating and publishing these family memoirs in a more extended form, I trust 
that I may still be permitted to revel among those, to me, joyous hoards, and 
to publish many curious and novel excerpta. Whatever James Allan took 
in hand was finished in a most extraordinarily minute and careful manner; 
and his MSS. are, to my fancy, quite as interesting as those of his son. On 
one occasion, after being out at dinner, he expressed his supreme disgust and 
indignation at an impudent fellow* who had never taken his eyes off him. 
Whenever James had lilted up his head and glanced at the man, he invariably 
found him staring with all his might and main ; and the dinner passed away 
without relish. The result was a most capital profile in wax of the victim, 
who had an insurmountable objection to gratifying his family by sitting for 
his portrait. This memento is now at Blackwell Hall. 

And now I leave this honoured race. Few families of present wealth can 
boast ot having been richer one hundred years ago than they are now. But 
the Allans can do this, and they can do much more. The Allan garb of 
literature has worn most bravely and enduringly.-|- 



* Q,u. The Rev. John Jones Thomhill, afterwards vicar of Staindrop, who had the faculty 
of modelling minute portraits in wax under a table, unobserved. My friend, Mr. Bewick, 
had an instance of it performed for his gratification at dinner, at the late Sir Wm. Chay tor's, 
Bart. The object was Bishop Barrington. 

f While Geo. Allan, esq., was M.P., he moved the house for a renewal of the visitations 
of the Heralds, which was opposed by Mr. (afterwards Baron) Graham, and was rejected 
by a majority. Mr. Allan expressed, on writing to a friend in reference to the matter, his 
disappointment at the failure in carrying out this favourite scheme, and said that his legal 
opponent knew as little of pedigree as he did of sound law. 
















<W@<nC(&<>(fcr 



pufi fat* #- I Cdf: 6rtii$rM, 




thM^jt a fa 








Iff.- /faftv. 



7fr - 




/. Signatures to older in Barnes the delinquents estate 7646 penes fi-KJllan Esq* ' Z.BulnurFreseott.as c7turc/iH'arden.762l.3Jn'l 1 rescott 
l6]4.4.ArthurIres(x>aj6£)3. Hotkfivm Bladcwell Books/ H.Mchard Comfordi as ehurc7m-andm.7t>2&. S.WiM.CvnufeitiiJ.iutt'ifiert C. both 
nvmBlaelcirell books 1674./ dMch. TfiUon ofDailingtvn, d. 7J7S. 9Abra. Hilton otCodcaton S.-Mlton. d.774\f. 7dManBil/on afSaaaMm. i/M'7 
VJfadtnnfyUon mfe cf TlDrBylion of Darlington kJtranton,d.7746. 73 Captain Jldion o7Miug7uon.d.t77&J4.mryM7tcn 'afterwards 

longslnMj with die altered orthograpty added at: a iztfer period by7iersdfd./7J<?. /SAbMlton offflUm. d.7j&2. 73JRe>7>.Hilton orWodtim 
rf.1727 17laiu-Sylton 7ns son, dJffl. 7J.'/7dton die poet, d.779S. J9.Bob Eiltcn cfl»aluu>i.d776't. W.fiobffltm offflton Beaam. d. 76<<o. 

Jeariv all these from originals penes WJf.L.27. WmSoier ofMsslidd, nvm an ejcfu/nt on a deed. MEliz.penes ]LKJUaiiEsq r 






•-S * LI, HYLTQN 



Zs 



Perhaps no feeling of clanship e\ T or animated any race in a stronger de 
than that which characterized the Hyltons* in the North. The line of pedigree 
might he utterly lost, a t&ng track of country intervene, but still every man of 
the name looked up to the Baron of Hylton as iiis kinsman and natural protec- 
tor, however humble his station and remote his claim. The idea at the present 
day has in no way altered, though the Barons have passed away. Universal 
tradition,*)- similarity of arms to those of undoubted scions of the parent 
stock;.! acknowledgment by the Barons,§ and the never failing- characteristic 
of the blue eye and fair flowing hair of the Saxon, have led the Hyltons of 
Westmoreland and South Durham in all a°;es to look back to the preeu 
manors on the Wear as their fatherland, to remember their Saxon parentage, 
and their origin in one of Odin's ravens and a mild maiden of the Bishoprick ; 
in fine, to look upon the towers and traditions of the Barons as their own, 

* The name, both in the Durham and Westmoreland families, in the most ancient docu- 
ments relating to them, is uniformly Helton, which may mean the town in the hole or by 
water, as Hylton Castle stands. Helton Bacon, (now Hilton Beacon), in Westmoreland, is 
under or at the foot of a hill, and Hilton, near Staindropshire, which also occurs as Helton, 
is really what its present name implies, standing high, and commanding a most extensive 
view over some of the finest parts of Durham and Yorkshire. The spelling Hilton is per 
haps the most usual, hut the later barons employed Hylton, and as it is adopted by their 
heirs, the Jollifies, and is found, more or less, in all other races of the name, I am inclined 
to adopt it for its associations. But I shall follow the taste of the parties I treat of. After 
all, is not the name from the Saxon Healle, a hall, palace or great mansion ? The Haltons, 
of Halton, in Craven, bore the same arms as the Barons Hylton ; and what is more to the 
point, as regards our Westmoreland people, the arms, " Sable, 3 saltorels argent," are as- 
cribed in the General Armory to Bolton. And in the Durham Pipe Rolls, the Baron of 
Holton is mentioned in 1197, and Robert de Ht/olton in 1211. 

f Some of the descendants of the Helton Bacon family, have actually " been bold enough, 
to lay claim to the estate of Hilton castle, which, in their opinion, is in want of an owner, 
with no better title than the name they bear."' 

$ Cuthbert Hilton . of Great Usworth, co. Durham, gent., the next in entail to the baron's 
own two sons, by a long settlement of 1526, seals his will, which was proved in 1576 (Sir 
Wm. Hilton being the supervise)-), with 3 saltires. {Sir C. Bkq/rp's MSS.) I am not pre- 
pared to say that Roger, son of George Hilton, of Wylome, co- York [Northumberland ?], 
the next in entail to Cuthbert, was in any way connected with the Helton Bacon family, 
or with the cotemporary Roger, mayor of Appleby, but the additional annulets in the 
Westmoreland coat of saltires and annulets are easily accounted for by the general custom 
of the Veteriponte subfeudatories adopting that bearing of their lords. " His [John de 
Veteriponte's] seal bore on a knight's shield and on his horse's trapping, annulets, tin- 
proper arms of the Yeteripontes, hence the gentry under the family generally also bore 
annulets differing in colour and number from theirs." — (Pemb- MS. p. 9, \\.) The barons 
indeed actually granted arms, differing in small degree from their own, as William, baron 
of Graystock, did by regular deed to Adam de Blencowe in 1357. 

6 Thomas Hilton, of Burton, co. Westmoreland, and Henry Hilton, of Wynston, arc 
called into a baronial entail of 1558, though long after the Roger of the last note, who again 
occurs. In the family rolls, however fabulous, the connection was allowed in the old 
heralds' own way, and the arms of the barons differenced assigned them, with the saltires 
and annulets as those of the heiress of Bacon only. This may all be fictitious, but it shows 
the feeling of the head of the clan ; and the marriage of Robert Hilton, of Helton Bacon, in 
the 17th century, with Baron Hylton : s daughter is also to the point. The " saltire-bearing 
Hiltons." of Usworth. gradually sunk into the estate of yeomen and tenants to their 
baronial cousins at Usworth and Biddick, and a century after their ancestor Cuthbert, 
" claimed a sort of kindly right, a half-asserted tie of consanguinity."' by '• beseching their 
wbrshippfttll freend and landlord Sir Willyam Hilton, or Henry Hilton, esq., to be supei - 
visor of their wills, and to be good maister to their children."' 



Xxxiv FAMILY OF HYLTON. 

It shall not be mine to check such a feeling. If some have forgotten the 
bright and minute path of honour — if worldly wealth has in them blighted 
and deadened every affection — they have paid for the error in bitterness and 
sorrow ; but to those who have emulated the virtues which endeared the long 
line of the barons to their people, and stuck to their candour and chivalry, 
in ever so small degree, God has been very gracious. 

A trace of the name occurs among the Darlington landowners in the 14th 
century,* but for the ancestors of those Hyltons who sought sepulchre in St. 
Cuthbert's church, we must seek the quiet vales of Westmoreland. There 
they occur at the commencement of the 13th century, in gentle state under 
the Veteripontes. Robert Helton, their homo prwpositus, occurs at the 
very period when the roll pedigrees of the barons state their kinsman of that 
name to have migrated, and married a Westmoreland heiress. That the 
Heltons or Hyltons of Westmoreland (for their name underwent the same 
change as that of their chiefs of Durham) did not take appellation from 
Helton Bacon,-j- their subsequent seat, seems all but certain from the fact 
that their first seat was Burton, and that the settlement in Helton Bacon 
was only achieved by degrees. The feeling which prompted it was in all 
probability the same with that which caused the settlers in South Durham 
to cling to Hilton, near Staindrop, as a home, that they, too, might be styled 
" the Hiltons of Hilton." 

The Heltons occur in early charters as witnesses in company with the very 
best families of Westmoreland, and divided into two great branches ; one 
settled at Burton, the other at Helton Bacon. Both occur in the lists of 
parliament as furnishing members to the lower house. 

The Burton line (pedigree No. II.) furnished a rich ecclesiastic in the 
time of Henry VIII., who purchased a moiety of the manor of Helton Bacon, 
which had never been acquired by his kindred of that place. His will makes 
numerous proper provisions for an imposing obit in Warcop church, for 
his own soul's health and that ol all his fore-elders, successors, friends and 
benefactors, and all Christian souls, not forgetting a decent sum at that time 
for the officiating priests " to have to drynke among theym," and bread and 
ale for the poor. On his tomb a hearse was perpetually to stand, and five 
tapers be burnt thereon, j The ancient faith evidently lingered in his race. 

* 1309. Robert s. Guydo Faber, of Derlington, to Wm. de Hilton .and Matilda his wife, 
an acre in Derlington. 1320. John Benet of Derlingtone and Eustachia his wife, to William 
de Heltone and Matilda his wife, property in Great Bnrdone. About the same time Will. 
Hiltone alienated to Wm. de Walleworde and Olive his wife, 2 burgages in Derlingtone. — 
Charters in Treasury, DurJiam. 

f In the parish of St Michael, Bondgate, Appleby. In the north aisle of the parish church 
is a large vault, the ancient burying place of the Heltons, of Helton. There was formerly 
a chapel about i mile from Hilton Beacon (as the name now stands) long since demolished. 
Some very extensive lead mines, which yield a considerable quantity of silver, are worked 
here. It is observable that some early owners of half the manor of Helton Avere named 
Hellerton. 

X 20 Feb., 1526. Edward Hilton, clerke, parson of Blechesdon,in the counte of Oxforde- 
shyre — My cotage meys or tenement in Helton Baken and all thynges pertenynge, to the 
vicar off Warcope and on off the churchemen or churchewardens off Warcope, and an other 
churcheman or churchewarden off Burton — to finde observe and keppe an annyversary or 
obit yerly for evermore the xv, day of July with placebo and dirige over evyne and v. 
masses to be songe or seyde the forseyde xv. day of July, one de quinque vulneribus, 
another de Nativitate Johannis, another de Sancta Trinitate, another de Annunciationc 
beata? Marine, with a collect, secret, and post communion at every masse ut in die anny- 
versario, and the hye masse of Requiem in die annyversario to be songe or seyde in Seynt 
John's porche [the north aisle of Warcop Church which belongs Burton Hall J at the altar 
of Seynt John within the parysshe chorche of Seynt Combe [Colnmb] of Warcope— for the 
soulls off the sayd Edward Hilton, hys father Christopher Hilton and his mother Margaret 
wyffe of the sayde Christopher, and for the sowlls of hys bretheryne and sisters, hys fryndds 
and benefactors and for the sowlls of all the predecessors and successors of the forsaid 



HYLTON OF HELTON BACON. xxxv 

Andrcw and John Hilton were respectively assessed annually upon the stated 
amount of 1 00/. for the county of Northumberland, as recusants in the strict 
reign of Elizabeth. In the seventeenth century the manor of Ormeshead 
was acquired through marriage with the natural daughter of Sir Christo- 
pher Pickering by his milkmaid, at Threlkeld ; and the heiress of the 
family, Mary Hilton, a prolific lady who bore her delighted spouse " twice 
one, and twenty children/' originated the Wyberghs, of Clifton Hall, the 
present representatives of her ancient house. Her cousin, Mary Hilton, 
married Daniel Eobinson, esq., the Westmoreland antiquary, and assistant 
of Nicholson and Burn in their history of that county ; whose descendant, 
the Rev. George Thompson, of Wisbeach, informs me that the fine hair and 
blue eyes were peculiarly characteristics of her family. 

" Thomas Hilton, bailife of Roane," figures in the chronicles as accompa- 
nying the English noblesse and the Duke of Somerset, when that nobleman 
won Harfleur (lately before gotten by the French), to his high praise and 
glory, which vanished with his rise, for when he was regent he lost not only 
Harfleur and Rouen, but also the whole duchy of Normandy, which now as 
a deputy only he conquered. As there was no other Thomas Hilton of any 
eminence at that period, I am inclined to identify the bailiff with Thomas 
Helton, of Helton Bacon, coroner of Westmoreland in the reign of 
Henry VI. 

" Robert Hilton, 2 horse/' was called out for the border service in 1543. 
He married a daughter, of Thomas Blenkinsop, esq., and two of his sons 
became intimately connected with the county of Durham. John settled at 
Gainford, and his elder brother, of Helton Bacon, matched with a daughter 
of the gallant house of Brackenbury. From this marriage nearly all the 
Hyltons of South Durham derive. Thomas, the heir, purchased Murton 
Hall, in the parish of Appleby, and removed from the seat of his fathers to 
his new acquisition, which was " a good old house, and convenient, a spring 
of water running through it." There was a chapel there. His grandson, 
Robert, married a daughter of the Baron of Hylton, in the chapel of Hylton 
castle,* and thus united in a true lovers' knot the long slackened cords of 
relationship between the two houses. He sinned deeply, however, against 
his paternal acres, and died at Durham. " Robert Hilton, esq., Justice of 
the Peace for Westmoreland, came to Durham, and lived in the coledg ; 
dep. this life the 8th day of Jan., being Thursday, this year 1683 ; he died 
very suddenly, having been out to supper the night before, &c."-j- His son 

Christopher Hilton, and for all crysten sowlls — Rents shallbedysposedeasfollowethe — the 
vycar of Waicope beynge present to have viii cl. and every on of the other iiii prysts to 
have vid. and to have to drynke among them viii d.; paryshe clerk for syngyng and minis- 
teryng at the alters and helpyng at masses ii d.; to ather churcheman or churchwarden on 
of Warcoppe and another of Burton beyng present at the seyd masses ii d.; v. childrynge 
helping at the seyd masses yd.; v. poyr neydfull pepyll v d.\ and for breyd and hale to be 
spent within the forseyd porche of Seynte John, after the dirige v d. — that v d. be offeryde 
i.e. after the offertory of each massif?.; to the vycar or his curete to pray for the sowlls 
before rehersyde upon Sondays iiii d.; and v d. for v. tapers to stande uppon the herse in 
tyme of dirige and masses recedew to poyr pepyll of the paryshe of Warcoppe — That thys 
wyll be regestraytt in the regesture of my lord bushape off Karlyll that iff anny lett this 
my Avyll they shall be called afor my sayd lorde or his officers, to be chargt by corporal 
hothe or other censure off clmrche that they shall not thensforthe lett this my wyll nor 
wythedraw anny dewte to the forseyde cotage &c. pertenynge, and in case any dewty 
wythcdrawn that they shall restore it agayne under the payn of cursyng, or off other cen- 
surs off the churche — Robert Hilton of Burton and his heirs for evermore supervisors and 
overseers. 

* Mr. Robert Hilton and Mrs. Mary Hilton mar. in ye chapell of Hilton, 2 Nov. 1G47. — 
( Bold on Reg.) 

t Jacob Bee's diary, 



XXXVI 



FAMILY OF HYLTON. 



continued to live at Helton Bacon, but in 1G96 the manor way sold to Sir 
John Lowthcr.* He married the widow of James Dnckett, esq., of Gray- 
rigg, under whose will she possessed part of Betham Rectory. Her second 
spouse built a fair house nigh to the place where the old rectory house stood, 
which was improved and rendered more commodious by his son George 
Hilton, who was a Roman Catholic, and joined the rebels in 17J5. He 
made his escape ,and was pardoned amongst the rest of his companions, by 
the act of grace in the year following. He ever afterwards lived private, and 
built a house at the South end of Betham park, unto which he retired. 

I now come to the Durham branches of the family. From the marriage 
with Catherine Brackenbury proceeded two younger sons, Lancelot and 
Nicholas Hilton. The latter was parson of Sockburn and Hurworth. 
His son William, a merchant of York, married Anne Rand, daughter of a 
Norton vicar. -f- Her sister Ruth married Samuel Liveley, of Pilgrim-street, 
Newcastle, who by will 1649 says, " My chesnut mare I bequeath to my 
brother in law, Dr. Rand ; protesting a dislike to have her used as his Great- 
ham horses ; however, I shall not be troubled at it, being gone of the earth." 
The will of John Rand, a skinner of Newcastle (1610), who seems to have 
married a namesake, is also curious for its affectionate language. " To the 
care of my loving brother in law, Dr. Rand, her brother, and Tho, Milburn, 
I commend the care of my wife that can never be too much cared for." The 
descendants of Wm. Hilton settled at Newcastle. — (see ped. III.) 

Lancelot Hylton, the other settler, originated a great many distinct 
branches, and before drawing the direct line of Hylton, of Hilton and Dar- 
lington, I shall make way for it by noticing the various twigs branching 
out at different periods from the widely spreading tree. Lancelot, the patri- 
arch, married first, the heiress of Alwent, and lived upon his wife's inherit- 
ance at Dyons (now a single modern farmhouse, to the North of Cock-lane, 
near Gain ford );£. 

L^The line of Hilton, in which the blood of Alwent flowed, settled at Dur- 
ham and Stockton, and produced some extremely eminent lawyers. One of 
the ladies of the family, of the formidable name of Hieronyma, was registered 



* " The Lowthers buy, but never sell, 
The family of Lowther of Lowther castell." 

f They had a son, William Hilton, an important apothecary of Newcastle- In 1655 
Anthony Bullock and Thomas Shevill informed the company of smiths there that a profane 
brother " Thomas Hall's man did sett 2 shewes of Will. Hilton's horse upon St. Cloyd day," 
for which he was fined 6s. 8cL; and in 1659, Thomas Hall was fined 3s. 4d- for saying " he 
would shoe Mr. Hilton's horse in spite of Thomas Woodhave's teeth." The brawny frater- 
nity seems to have contained some most outrageously riotous members, whose egotistic 
and angry speeches often called down the anger of their conclave. One irate brother, 
Wm. Thompson, was hard upon poor Wouldhave, and asserted that he was "a botching 
follow, and that he knew no more what belonged to his trade than the sole of his foot," 
took away a horse from his stall, interrupted " Mistris Shaf toe's horse that was goeing to 
Thomas Wouldhave's shopp," and called him a botching rogue. Another, Alexander 
Hall, said his apprentice was as honest a man as Thos. Wouldhave. And a third, Maltland, 
was fined for " making debate and teareing Robert Woodifield's scutcheon at Tho. Would- 
have's wife's burial." Wouldhave himself was quite as bad. He called Henry Horsley "a 
w — masterly fellow," and what was far worse, was guilty of " throwing a cabbish stock in 
at the window and spoyling the bookes and the orders" of his company. As to Thomas 
Hall, the wicked scorner of Bishop Clodulphus ; George Trunbull was fined for saying he 
would have cured Mr. Lanckasters mare three times sooner than Thomas Hall.— (Extracts 
from the Smiths' books, JSIC. by G. Bouchier Richardson-) 

X There are traces of a village in a garth to the West. The place is called Deindes in 
1207. It is remarkable that in the entry of Lancelot Hylton in the Durham Heraldic 
Visitation of 1615, the arms of Alwent are entered for him. The informant has been t^o 
little versed in re Hilton that he blanks the name of Lancelot's second wife who must have 
been still living. It is probable that he may have been some one of the blood of Alwent. 
iv ho wished the representatives of the main line to be thus marshalled in gentle array. 



HYLTON OF STOCKTON. XXXVli 

at Gainford in 1623, by the strange baptismal praenoraen of Joanna Ananias. 
The broad lands of Alvvent soon all treat, and the family settled at Durham 
and Stockton. Old Robert Hilton, of Stockton, "attornatus, magna in 
rebus lorensibus experientia, nee minori fide/'* who lived to the good age of 
75, by his wife Esther Watson, " femina pia et prudens, ej usque in conjugio 
iidolis per annos supra 40 socia," had three sons, heirs to his fame. The 
heiress of Robert Hilton, of Durham, the eldest, married John Hopper, 
esq., and was the mother of Robert Hopper Williamson, esq., the chancellor 
of Durham, and father of the Rev. R. H. Williamson of Hurworth. Lancelot 
Hylton, the second son, of Mont Pelyer Row, Stockton ,-f- and Brancepeth 
(for attornies and barristers in olden time received their clients in remote 
villages ; e.g., the Hiltons, ol Hilton, in Staindropshire, and the Gills and 
Dodsworths, of Barton) ; " qui probitate animi et suavitate morum insignia 
omnibus sese prestitit dilectum," was seneschal under Bishop Crewe, and was 
succeeded on his resignation, in 1719, by his brother David Hilton, a 
barrister, who continued in office under six bishops — Crew T e, Talbot, Chandler, 
Butler, Trevor, and Egerton. With the other officers of Talbot he fell in 
for Spearman's lash in 1 729. <l All the law offices being in the bishop's gift," 
says that bitter writer, "are either sold or given to his servants. Mr. Hilton 
the present cursitor, paid between 6 and 700/. for his office of cursitor." He 
had a corrupt clerk of the hahnots, Mr. Mowbray, who actually refused to 
enroll the admittance of Sir John Eden to 'his father's lands, which his 
principal, Mr. Hilton, had himself granted, and declared both to Hilton and 
Lady Eden, on Sir John's death, when the former was desired to admit Sir 
Robert his son, and was very willing to do so, "that he had orders to the 
contrary, and upon her ladyship's asking him if he was ordered to do an un- 
just thing, would he do it ? his answer was, He was the bishop's officer and 
must obey directions." However, the threat of filing a bill against the bishop 
and his officers forced Mowbray to enroll both admittances. In another part 
of his book, Spearman speaks of Hilton as the prelate's " steward, whom the 
bishop calls Old Buff, other Volpone ; he (to have the greater influence in 
affairs) presides in court and cabals here, and lately presumed to close up 
with rails (made with the bishop's timber) one end of the most ancient street 
in the city, called the King's street, thereby obstructing the passage of either 
coach, carriage or horse, to the great nusance and prejudice of the subject ; 
and took down an ancient gateway and gate in another street called Bow-lane ; 
and another gate going from the palace green to the Broken-walls ; both 
which gates used to be locked up at nights in winter time by the constable 
of the parish of St. Mary le-Bowe, and was of great security to that part of 
the city from pilfering thieves, and did this in an arbitrary manner, and 
without legal authority, or consulting the neighbours, and applied the frames 
of timber, gates, hinges, bolts, and stones to the Bishop's or his own use, 

* "Hie sepulti sunt Robertas Hilton, attornatus, magna in rebus forensibus experientia, 
nee minori fide, Obiit Maii die 17, A.D. 1727, a3tatis75. Et Esthera Hilton, Femina pia et 
prudens, ejusque in conjugio fidelis per annos supra 40 socia. Obiit Augusti die 13, A.D. 
1723, aetat 64. Juxta etiam conditio- quod mortale fuit Lancelot! Hilton, attornati, Qui 
probitate animi et suavitate morum insignis omnibus sese prestitit dilectum, natus 16 
Augusti 1694, obiit 16 Octobris, 1757."— (Low altar tomb, Stockton churchyard.) Theattor- 
nies of Stockton always ran in long sequences and cliques, 1 presume the Hylton dynasty 
would be succeeded by their relations, the Raisbesks, now represented in the law by Messrs. 
V, ilson and Faber. The connection of Hylton and Raisbeck was by the blood of Watson, 
Mrs. Ilyltoii's sister marrying the Rev. Tho. Rudd, whose daughter, Esther, married Wm. 
Raisbeck, gent. 

I '- Laut. Hylton de Mont Pelyer Row, Stockton, gentleman, Epiphany 17.'>2, Laus Deo 
, num. Amen. — E Libiib Wm. Hilton given him by his Father Anno 1745.*' 



XXXVlll 



FAMILY OF HYLTON. 



although belonging to and provided by the parishioners/' Verily, the master 
seems to have been little better in his own way than the man, though the 
gates in our clays would be scarcely suffered by the night-wandering scions of 
gentry. Robert Hilton, David's son, of Trinity Coll., Cambridge, was a 
favourite member of the True Blue, where he first grew into an intimacy 
with Lord Torrington, who, on leaving college, appointed him his domestic 
chaplain ; and he, as it were, followed the fortunes of that generous nobleman. 
When his lordship was charge d' affaires at Brussels, he accompanied him, 
and was there introduced to the Duke of Portland, who distinguished him 
by particular marks of friendship, and on his appointment to the Lord 
Lieutenancy of Ireland, offered him a bishopric then vacant, which, by some 
inconceivable misunderstanding, Mr. Hilton did not accept. About 1800, 
the Bishop of Llandaff presented him to a prebend in his cathedral ; and 
within six weeks before his death, in 1804, the Duke of Portland obtained 
him the living of Bothal, value 1000/. yearly, but a paralytic affection of two 
years' duration had rendered him past the enjoyment of, and death, from a 
repeated stroke, prevented even the possession of his good fortune. 

This clergyman had a cousin William (son of Lancelot, the good attorney 
of Stockton), known as " Hilton the Poet," a native of Stockton and a 
mercer of Gateshead. He lived and had a shop on Old Tyne bridge, which 
was swept away by the great flood in 1771 ; and was" one of the trustees 
under the act for building a temporary bridge and completing a new one. 
He was in the habit of giving copies of a long letter of the best advice to his 
apprentices in the cloth trade, in which he praises the church of England, 
notwithstanding its defects ; and attributes the frequent bankruptcies to the 
high living of the period. Poor fellow ! in 1 772 he (with his partner and 
relation Wm. Raisbeck of the Stockton family) was bankrupt himself, doubt- 
less from the effects of the flood. In 1775 and 1776, "from motives of 
real exigency," he published his poems at Newcastle, in two volumes, con- 
sisting of tragedies and minor effusions, which if not entitled to high praise 
as poetry, are full of character and feeling. He calls them " a sort of collec- 
tive salvage narrowly saved from an unavoidable wreck in fortune, and ever 
since carefully preserved through a long disagreeable series of unmerited 
persecution/' His talents, integrity, and manly resignation to accumulated 
misfortunes won him a good subscription list, but to the disgrace of his 
numerous and wealthy relations, his cousin the clergyman (six copies) is the 
only individual of the blood of Hylton that occurs. From 1781 to 1787 he 
was riding officer in the Sunderland customs, and in the former year, being 
then resident at Whitburn, he wrote memoirs of the life and writings. of his 
" dear bosom friend," John Spencer, gent. ; a bard of Newcastle, whose poem 
" Hennas, or the Arcadian shepherds," he had published in two vols. He 
died in 1798 at Gateshead. Of his brother, Captain Robert Hilton, who, he 
says, was " crossed in youth, when coming fortune smiled, and to his latest 
hour with flattering hopes beguiled," I only know so much that in 1753 he 
paid George Bowes, of Gibside, 350/. to be handed to Major Clayton, of 
Carlisle, on his procuring him the commission of Town Major of that city in 
exchange for his half-pay as Lieutenant of foot. Richard Hilton, the poet's 
son, was a sailor, and was drowned, and the male blood of these Hyltons 
seems extinct. 

The second wife of Lancelot the settler was a Smelt, of Kirkby Fleetham, 
and from this marriage originated a family settled at Killeiiby (another 
estate of the Alwents), and buried in the choir of Heighington church under 



CUTHDERT HYLTON. PONT. MAX. xxxix 

an ancient blue stone ;* but with all its Lydias, Deborahs, Tamars, and 
Penelopes, the line is possessed of little interest. 

A second Lancelot, son of the first, was ancestor of the Hilton and Dar- 
lington people, and by a second wife, the widow of a " crafty Cradock," com- 
menced a race whose pedigree (No, 6.) is ominously headed by Surtees ;f — 
" This page may be called the decline of all the Cuthbertine or BarbeiuW 
branch of the Hiltons, for poor Jacob Abramides, fra. David, perished in 
Allan and Baker's contested election, without benefit of clergy, a proper 
retribution for the scandal of his great ancestor the pontifex of Barnard- 
Castle/' Alexander, son of Lancelot, was curate of Denton, and rector of 
Romaldkirk, and died in 1682, leaving two sons ; William, who "was bred 
an attorney and went mad," and, I believe, was the Hilton of Denton who 
carried about a brief describing himself as mad, and praying for means to 
put himself into prison ; and Cuthbert Hilton, who having taken orders 
in no church, but having been trained as bible clerk under his father, is thus 
described by a quaint writer : — " Cuthbert Hilton, who used to entangle 
certain sons and daughters of iniquity in an illegal tie upon Barnard-Castle 
bridge, in the middle of the river, between the county palatine of Durham 
and Yorkshire, where the Lord Bishop's writ does not run.";]: He resided 
at one time at Cleasby, and the Darlington registers, in 1750, witness his 
delinquencies. The issue of the parties " who. continue to live under a mar- 
riage of Cuthbert Hilton's of Barnard Castle, a layman/' are entered as 
illegitimate. He died at Barnard Castle in 1 755. This pontifex maximus 
left issue Abraham, Job, Solomon, David, Alexander, and Cuthbert. Solo- 
mon died in the East Indies in Admiral Hawkes's fleet ; Cuthbert was a 
player ; Alexander is connected in the Darlington register with one Rachel 
Watson, keeper of the bakehouse in Blackwellgate ; Job was remarkable for 
his industry and ingenuity as a carpet weaver in Barnard Castle, and he and 
some of his brothers were the first artizans in that town who practised the 
art of dying cloth of various colours ; and Abraham, a tailor of Durham, 
had issue Abraham, Sa?nh,§ Isaac, three Jacobs in succession, David, and 
other children ; one of whom, Dorothy, married David-le-Roy ; one of whose 
descendants I remember bavins: some ultra notions about an origin from the 
kings of France ! 

David Hilton, on whom many a barber-ous joke was played, is im- 
mortalized by Ritson : — 

Hilton my hair did dress, who beats 
The world, you know, in shaving feats. 

He was " a man of special grave remark," and a most worthy citizen of 
Durham. His shop in Saddler-street was the lounge of all the literati of the 
city ; for David, albeit joked, could wink at the fun, and enjoy to pass a 

* Which is robbed of its more ancient brasses. " Lydie, the wife of Mr. George Hilton ; 
died Nov. 4th, 1745, aged 77. Sub hoc raarmore jacet corpus Lance. Marg. et Thompe 
Hilton : L. sepult. Jun. 20. 1675., M. Aug. 25, 1697, T. Apr. 26, 1718. Et corpus Georgii 
Hilton de Killerby, sepult. undecimo die Maii, Anno Domini, 1723. Alexander Hilton, 
died March 20th, 1 732." 

f J. B. Taylor's MSS. 

X " Cuthbertus Hilton qui solebat quosdam et quasdam filios et filias iniquitatis illicita 
copnla irretire super pontem Castri Bernardi, nempe in medio flumine inter com. pah 
Durielm. et Ebor. nbi breve domini episcopi non currit." 

§ "Here lies the body of Sarah Hilton, daughter of Abraham and Lucy Hilton, died 
June 8, [1734] aged .... ."[some few months]. — Headstone, St. Oswald's clnurJiyard, 
Durham. 



xl 



FAMILY OF HYLTON. 



joke himself On one occasion he was sent for to go to an hotel and shave 
a gentleman who had just arrived. The knight of the bason was well known 
to all the grandees of the palatinate, and possessed numberless anecdotes of 
their families. Such a standing had given him a tacit privilege to become 
very inquisitive as to the whole pedigree of every new comer. He, according 
to his wont, began to pump. The stranger was not easily aecessible, but, at 
last, wearied with David's curiosit} r , said, " Well — if you must know — I 
believe myself entitled to the Barony of Hylfcon, and have come down to see 
about it/' "Oh, but you know," said David, with a smirk, "that's all non- 
sense, because if any one ought to be Baron of Hylton, it's-, myself ! " 

01 course such a distinguished character was entitled to a coat of arms 
with a difference. The saltires gave way to two razors in sal tire proper, on 
a field azure, and the shield was completed by a chief gules charged with a 
comb argent. Crest, upon a barber's block in profile, a wig proper. " It is 
our intenc on," saith the witty Surtces thereupon, " speedily to assigne A 
Coate of Amies and creastc to master Davide Hilton, of d'resme, gent., 
within our jurisdicc'on as depicted inhra."* There was, however, no reason 
why the saltires of the younger line should no', wholly give way to the bars 
of the barons, so another design was concocted by the same fertile brain ; 
three bars each charged with a razor ; and duly inserted in an old ordinary 
of arms.*)- The crest was the same as in the former insignia, but affrontee 
to correspond with the Moses' head used by the Lords of Hylton, and under 
all was inscribed : — " Maister Davyde Hylton de Durcsmc barber chyrour- 
geon, MDCCCXVII ut per cartam Abrah'i p'ris sui," which charter is 
believed to have been his father's handbill. David, like Blynd Lambton,{ 
was easily led by the heralds. Surtees and a friend had one day been listen- 
ing to his account of his great ancestor Outhbcrt's delinquencies, and on 
coming away, remarked, " Well, you know, the fellow must have had a 
marriage service, let us make him one." An old witching rhyme, of very 
frequent occurrence, was at hand. Cuthbert was made, after causing the 
parties to leap over a broomstick, to say, 

My blessing on your pates, 

Your groats in my purse ; 
You are never the better, 

I am never the worse. 

And this doggrel was recited to the barber. " Was that what he said to 
them, David?" "The very thing, Sir," was the reply. Away went the 
rhyme to Sir Cuthbert, down into his History of Hartlepool and Bishoprick 
Garland it found its way, and there it stands as a grave tradition " still 
remembered in the neighbourhood/' 

His successor, David, Barberides, an eminent bookseller and newsman at 
Pentonville, was particularly instrumental in procuring the abolition of the 
monopoly of the post-office clerks, in regard to the sale of newspapers. This 
monopoly was an extreme hardship upon the independent tradesman, and it 
was principally through the active exertion and the judicious conduct of Mr. 
Hilton, that an end was put to so nefarious a traffic. The respectable body 
of newsvenders in the metropolis, at, it is believed, his suggestion, formed 
themselves into a society, for their mutual protection against tlie schemes 



* J. Rrough Taylor's MSS. t Penes Rev. .). Raine. 

.J: Who furnished a blind pedigr-ee in )F>7- r i, and omitted his own father ! 



HYLTON OF DARLINGTON. x li 

and manoeuvres of Dicas and others ; of which society Mr. Hilton was the 
honorary secretary, and discharged his duties with exemplary assiduity 
and fidelity, under circumstances which imposed on him no ordinary 
responsibility. Several prosecutions and convictions took place, while he 
held this situation, among which was that of Mr. Onwhyn, the respectable 
bookseller, of Catherine Street, Strand, for selling the Satirist newspaper. 
On the occasion of these vindictive proceedings against the news trade, a sub- 
scription was entered into by the persons principally interested ; but though 
nearly all the trouble fell on Mr. Hilton, it is almost certain that so far from 
his deriving any advantage from it, he was a considerable loser both of time 
and money. Mr. Hilton was enlightened, liberal, philanthropic, and benevo- 
lent beyond his means. 

I^glttm, tsi Wlton in jgtamim3pgf)it£, 23arimc$t(m, 
anir gtranton. 

It cannot be doubted that the match of Thomas Hilton of Helton 
Bacon, paved the way for the immediate admittance of his younger son, 
Lancelot, into the ranks of squirarchy in the county palatine.* Catherine 

* "The Pedigree of the ancient family of Hilton, of the County Palatine of Durham, 
compiled from the records in the College of Arms, London, by William Radcliffe, Rouge 
Croix, Pursuivant of arms, 1809," which was procured by Mr. Surtees for the late Henry 
Hilton, of Barnard-castle, being merely taken from the imperfect records of the Heralds' 
College, misses out two or three generations, and being unaware of the Brackenbury match, 
although given in the Durham visitation of 1575, Radcliffe has with some show of proba- 
bility supposed Lancelot Hylton to have been son of John Hilton, of Gainford, who was in 
truth his uncle. I am not certain whether Lancelot's grandmother was daughter of Thomas 
Blenkinsop, who died about 1546, and who was married about 1532, or of his father, Thomas 
Blenkinsop, esq., who died about 1522, by Eleanor Leigh. Radcliffe says the former, I in- 
cline to think the latter ; but as from the early marriages then prevalent, his theory is 
possible, 1 will (in order to escape any family reflections for being too severe a herald, and 
downright disturber of cherished honours) here briefly give the royal descent, disclosed by 
accepting the line adopted in the Heralds' College pedigree. 

King Edward III., by his queen Phillippa of Hainault, had a second son, 

Lionel Duke of Clarence, who, by his wife Lady Elizabeth de Burgh, had an only 
daughter and heiress, 

Philippa, who married Edmund Mortimer Earl of March, and had issue 

Elizabeth Mortimer, who married Sir Henry Percy, knt., the gallant Hotspur, and 
by him bore 

Elizabeth Percy, who by her first husband, John de Clifford (slain at Meaux, 10 Hen. 
V.), had a son 

Thomas de Clifford, slain at St. Albans, for the red rose, 1455, having had issue by his 
wife Joan, daughter of Thomas Lord Dacre of Gilsland, by Philippa, daughter of Ralph 
Neville, the great Earl of Westmoreland, a daughter 

Joan de Clifford, who by her husband, Sir Richard Musgrave, of Eden Hall, knt., (he 
died in 1491) was mother of 

Sir Edward Musgrave, of Harclay, knt., who married Joan, dau. and coh. of Sir Chr. 
Ward, of Grindall, co- York, and had a fifth daughter named 

Magdalene Musgrave, who, about 24 Hen. VIII. (1532-3, her marriage articles being 
dated that year) wedded Thomas Blenkinsop, esq., of Helbeck (will dated 37 Hen. VIII., 
1545 6), and with various other daughters, is said to have had the one mentioned in Dug- 
dale's visitation, 1666, as 

, daughter of Thomas Blenkinsop, of HelbecK, who married [say about 1549] 

Robert Hilton, esq., of Helton Bacon, whose eldest son 

Thomas Hilton, of Hilton Bacon, married [say about 1566] Catherine Brackenbury, 
eldest daughter of Anthony Brackenbury, of Selaby, gent. (Inq. p.m. 8 Aug. 1556). Her 
brother, Cuthbert, married about 1528, and her brother Henry was born about 1529. She 
seems to have returned with her son, Lancelot, to her own country and friends, and was 
buried at Gainford in 1587, having had issue 

Thomas Hilton, whose eldest son was born in 1584, and Lancelot Hylton, who mar- 
ried Catherine Alwent (aged 16), in 1587, and originated the South Durham Hyltons- 

This accepted plan requires each head of the last three generations, on the average, to 
marry at the age of 16 or 17. 

Mr. Walbran obliged me by a copy of the Hylton pedigree, printed for the second part 
of his History of Gainford. Surtees, Radcliffe, and he differ in some minute points and 
dates. When I have not been able to refer to the original register, I have given the month 
or year only, and not the day in dispute, so as to be right as far as I go. 

2z 



xin 



FAMILY OF HYLTON. 



Brackenbury* was great grand niece of Sir Robert Brackenbury, the cele- 
brated lieutenant of the Tower, whose character has been so variously repre- 
sented ; and through her the Hiltons acquired a tinge of blood from each of 
the great families of Wycliffe, Bowes, Grey stock, Audley, Fitz-Hugh, Serope y 
Marmion, St. Quintin, Grey of Rotherfield, Willoughby of Eresby, " bold 
Beauchamp," Mortimer, (through whom a descent from king John and earl 
Strongbow). and, not to multiply fine names by the dozen, from the Veteripon- 
tes, the ancient lords of Westmoreland, in honour of whom they wore their con- 
stant annulets. So distinguished was this latter family that the Barons of Hyl- 
ton, who had heired the blood of a younger branch by the Stapletons, always 
quartered Veteriponte, whatever other quarterings they might omit or insert.-)* 
Lancelot Hilton occurs in the family transactions of the Brackenburies, and 
in 1601, Henry Brackenbury leaves "unto my nephewe, Lancelot Hilton, 
fortie shillings in money." j By his wife Elizabeth Smelt, § he had a younger 
son, Lancelot, who settled at Durham ; and left to his own resources, turned 
out an eminent attorney, though perhaps rather a shifting one, as we find him 
collector of the obnoxious ship-money in Orossgate constablery, in 1635-6 ; 
and yet sufficiently in favour with the succeeding powers as to be appointed 
under-sheriff for this county during the usurpation, in 1652. His first mar- 
riage with Mary Oolmore was as glorious for his family as his grandfather's. 
It brought in descent from Fulthorpe, Crathorne, Burgh, Metcalfe of Nappa, 
Lumley, S winnow, Booth, Blakiston, Oonyers, Lisle, Langton. Clervaux, 
Killmghall, Herdewyke, &c, and in compliment to the lady's brother, 
Abraham, that patriarchal name. Her grandmother died in childbed in 
1592, and dean Matthew preached her funeral sermon (as we learn from his 
diary) from Genesis xxxv, 19 and 21. || Hilton's second wife, the ancestress 
of the Barberini branch, was buried 4 July, 1675. Before a year had elapsed 
he found himself sufficiently composed in mind to marry a third spouse, a 
lady whose former husband (William Hilton, of Newcastle, descended from 
Nicholas Hilton, before mentioned) had died not two months before. He 
occurs of Hilton, near Staindrop, in 1658. It was an ancient manor of the 
Bowes family ; and in those days when the most distant consanguinities 
were carefully remembered, it is possible that his own descent from Bowes 
through Wycliffe and Hilton had place in directing his feelings. His son, 



* "Cf)t ulacft Itcn uri&tv fyt often trie 
JMatsc tf)e fScvmansi to figf)t anft tl)t J?>aron£ to flee." 

Var- " The black lion under the tree 
Made the Normans to fight and the Saxons to flee." 
Var. " The Brackenbury under the tree 
Made the Normans to conquer and the Saxons to flee." 
The first of these well describes the crest of Brackenbury. It is said to have been writ- 
ten on the tomb of Perse Brakenbury, who is reported to have accompanied the Conqueror 
from Brakenbury in Neustria ! 

t The full bearing was Gules 6 annulets, 3, 2, and 1, or ; but the Hylton Barons often 
wore them as only 2 and 1. An instance of this practice occurs in a window in Croft 
church, in the chantry of the Clervaux, the heiress of whom married Thomas Baron of Hyl- 
ton, where the annulets are gules on a field of or. 

% " Lane. Hilton" is also witness to the will. 44 Eliz. Eliz. Dei. Gra., &c, Will'o Bowes 
mil. Nic'o Hilton et Mich'i Walker cl'icis s. Cu' Henr. Brakenburie de Osmondcroft in 
co. D. arm' et senio confectus, &c. (Randal's MS. Book of Pedigrees, not in the D. and C. 
Lib., sub tit. Bowes.) 

§ Of a highly respectable visitation family, of Kirkby Fleetham, in Richmondshire. Her 
father was seneschal and secretary to Emanuel Lord Scroope, of Bolton, and her grand- 
mother Ann, dau. of .... Conyers, of Hutton Bonville. Her brother, Thomas of Hornby, 
gent., was admitted to a burgage in Blackwellgate, Darlington, 1627, under her father's 
will, but he sold it the following year. 

|| Hutchinson's Durham, ii., 212. Sed qu. if not 16 to 21 meant. 



HYLTON OF DARLINGTON. xliii 

Abraham, married a daughter of Marley, of Hilton, and purchased the 
manor of Hjjton of her family. Lancelot, after seeing his sons in the best 
worldly weal, died, aged 77, and was interred in the Abbey yard at Durham, 
in great honour with his friends.* Cuthbert, his fourth son, also an attorney, 
succeeded at Durham for a very brief span, dying the next year, and was 
buried the same day that he died, in the night, as near to his father as pos- 
sible.-)- His descendants were in the law at Auckland, and one of the 
females married Sir William Richardson, of Bishop-Auckland and Kelso, 
bart. 

Abraham Hilton of Hilton, esq., the eldest son, married two Eleanors, 
but his only child, Mary Hilton, died under two years of age. He attained 
a high position]: in his profession of the law ; and he, Sir Robert Eden, bart., 
and John Spearman, gent., were the trustees to whom James Mickleton, the 
eminent Durham antiquary, in 1693 left his MSS. for four years, and after- 
wards, as to certain of those papers, to the same persons or their nominee, 
till they were printed. The childless old lawyer lived to the great age of 
88, having survived all his younger brethren, and called in the descendants 
of his next brother Richard to the succession. Richard Hilton was an 
attorney of Darlington, of which borough he was sometime bailiff, and in 
the most extensive practice of the day. Scarcely a title in Darling- 
ton exists without the gallant signature of old Richard as attesting wit- 
ness. He seems to have been in great goodwill with his clients, the church- 
wardens ; indeed, he once filled that office himself, but I suspect that he was 
deeply tinged with puritanism, as a commission is awarded out of the Dur- 
ham Court of Chancery, in 1666, to administer to Mr. Richard Hilton (who 
had served his brother, Mr. Abraham, as a clerk for seven years) " the oath 
of [supremacy, struck out] allegiance, and the usuall oath of an attorney/' 
I also suspect that his brother Cuthbert J s night burial was in consequence of 
some recusancy, non obstante his intimacy with the Bow parson. Both 
father and sons seem to have played their religious cards admirably. 

One of Richard Hilton's daughters, Mary, married Henry Forth, esq., an 
active magistrate of Darlington, the son of Albinia, youngest and posthumous 
daughter of the great Sir Harry Vane.§ Another wedded Captain Anthony 

* "Mr. Lancelot Hilton, my very kind, much esteemed, and honoured friend, departed 
28 May, buried near his brother [in the law] Christopher Mickleton, in the Cathedral 
churchyard, 29 May, 1685."— #£. Mary-le-Bow Par. Reg., Durham. He had been a sub- 
scriber to the rebuilding of that fabric in 1637- 

+ " Mr Cuthbert Hilton, son of the said Lancelot, my like friend in all respects, departed 
this life the 28th day of April, 1686, and was interred in the night, in a grave adjoininge 
and as neare his father as possible." — (Bow Beg.) " Cuthbertus Hilton, Gen. ad Legem 
Attornatus, obiit et sepultus fuit xxviii die Aprilis Anno Dni MDCLXXXVI ...... ." — 

(Monumental slab, A obey yard.) 

Night Funerals.— In 1631, Edm. Bolton (an heraldic writer) complains to Sir William 
Segar of nocturnal funerals "now so frequent, but well deserving (in my poor opinion) to- 
gether with the first devisers (sonns of night and of the earth) to bee buried in the dark- 
nesse and dust of oblivion." Those who bear arms, he says, " ought to have solemnitie in 
rule." " My good freind (of immortal memorie) William Camden late Clarenceux king of 
arms, did both by word of mowth, and in a special leter, occasionallie complain unto mee, 
against these blanck nocturnal funerals, which to mee doe seem to resemble somewhat in- 
fernal, or mask as it were of lucifugian ghosts and furies. Certainly (in my poor opinion, 
as I have alreadie said) they are unfit for the noble, who have ensignes and markes of honor 
to display, and should so have spent theyr time, that theyr lucifiorian deeds should not 
need, after theyr deceases, to fear either speech or light." The funerals in question were 
it seems " a bane to the heralds' rightfull benefit, and of the principal nieanes of theyr 
laudable maintenance." 

% " Those that have been the most eminent practisers (now living) [of Durham] are, 
Mr. John Spearman, Mr. Ra. Gowland, Mr. Fra. Mascall,R. Spearman, Joseph Hall, Abra- 
ham Hilton."— (Gulch's Coll. Curiosa, ii., 108.) 

§ "Mr. Forth used often to say that his mother Albina was begot in the Tower of Lon- 



xliv 



FAMILY OF HYLTON. 



Smith, of the army, and was deservedly esteemed for her many virtues. 
Their father died aged 73, and the two succeeding generations of Abrahams 
formed an exception to the previous longevity of the family. Abraham 
Hilton, of Blackwell and Darlington, died in his father's lifetime, and his 
son, Abraham Hilton, of Oockerton and Hilton, the legatee of his grand- 
uncle Abraham primus, lived only to the age of -i<2. He married a coheiress 
of Surtees, of Myers Flatt, par. Haughton, whose mother was a Hewgill, of 
Smeaton, in Eichmondshire. After her .husband's death, she lived, to the 
age of 86, with one faithful domestic in the snug house in Hungate, which 
long after was the home of her daughter Mary Hilton,* an ancient maiden 
lady of 74, and her representatives the Lees. Both mother and daughter 
rest in the Surtees' burial ground at Haughton le-Skerne, a sunny, comforta- 
ble, high, dry bed.-f- 

Henry Hilton, esq., of Hilton, son of the Surtees match, greatly delighted 
in horse races, and married a relation, a Miss Hewgill, of Smeaton. He died, 
aged 29, childless, and the only male descendant of old Richard Hilton the 
wealthy lawyer was his brother Abraham Hilton, who succeeded to the 
Hilton estates and spent them. He had been one oi the six clerks of Chan- 
cery, and the character of this member of his "fine talented family, who had 
minds far above the common run" (according to a sturdy veteran of Dar- 
lington's definition of this branch of Hilton), was that of a witty, flashy, 
extravagant, reckless, kind-hearted squire of the toping school. At London 
he was the constant and good-natured butt of the gallants in Gray's Inn 
coffee-house, and his clever answers generally set the table in a roar. Some 
military sprigs were one night holding a grave dissertation on martial matters, 
and on a sudden stopped, saying, that after all it was little use their talking 
over matters which could be of no interest to a lawyer, who they didn't 
suppose knew what fortifications meant at all. " You are mistaken," said 
Abraham, drily, " forti-fications are twice-tidenty-jications." At Hilton he 
was the rhymster for all the neighbourhood. The famous blacksmith 
epitaph, " My sledge and hammer lie reclined," &c, in Gainford churchyard, 
is traditionally his, but if so, it could only be a mere application of a compo- 
sition as old as the hills. A sign for a Killerby publican rests on a better 
foundation. J Being " far too good for this world," he was compelled to sell 
Hilton manor for 10,G40£ to the Earl of Darlington in 1 789, but he died at 
his ancient seat the same year, and was buried in Darlington church, under 
a rhyming layerstone which remains in the Westernmost baj 7 of the North 
aisle. § 

don the night before Sir Henry Vane, her father, was beheaded." — {Geo. Allan, in Hutchin- 
son's Durham.) " Here lieth the body of Mary, the wife of Henry Forth, esquire, who 
departed this life the 18th Dec., 1728. Henry Forth, esquire, died June 17, 1746, aged 72." 
— {Flag in Western bay of Darlington Church.) At his death, a dole was given by "The 
Honorable Hen. Vane, esqr." to the poor, which was distributed in Blackwell along with 
Buck's dole the January following. 

* Her brother Abraham ultimus, of Hilton, and Ann his wife conveyed to her, in 1772, 
five mess, and garden on the South side of Houndgate, in the tenancy of James Allan, 
Margaret Hilton and others. 

f " In memory of Margaret Hilton, widow of Abraham Hilton, who died 16th of Novr. 
1789, aged 86. Also of Mary Hilton their daughter, who died 7th of Feb., 1807, aged 72."— 
{Headstone, Haughton.) The descendants of Richard Hilton were generally buried in 
Darlington church. 

J " At Killerby Charles Hogg does dwell, 
And he has got good ale to sell ; — 
The ale is good, be not in haste ; 
Pray, gentlemen, walk in and taste. — 
Also bread, the staff of life, 
Sold by Mary, Charles Hogg's wife." 
§ " To the memory of Abraham Hilton of Hilton, who departed this life December the 
22d. 1789, aged 55 [should be 58, as he was baptized in 1731.] 



HYLTON OF DARLINGTON. xlv 

Of his sons, Abraham, a lawyer, and one of the six clerks in Chance]'}'* 
who had been brought up an attorney at Darlington, died in 1792, aged 
25, bein2' succeeded by his brother Hexry Hilton, ultimus suorum, who 
was a well-known spirit merchant at Barnard- castle. He had the fair blue 
eyes of his ancestors, and will be long remembered as the cultivator of an 
enormous patriarchal beard, and as bathing every morning, winter and sum- 
mer, in Hilton s Hole, as that part of the Tees is now called from the cir- 
cumstance. Even when the ice was thickly spread on his accustomed haunt, 
he would break it and courageously leap into the cold, comfortless stream. 
A younger brother William Freeman Hilton, who was in the army, and 
was drowned at the age of 28, on board an East Indiaman, in the Bay oi 
Bengal, on his passage homeward, was a remarkably handsome young man, 
and at Denton school was famed for his delicate flaxen hair, which huno- 
down his back in long and small crisp ringlets, after the manner of one of 
the wigs of Charles II/s time. " I never saw such hair before or since/' 
said one of his school-fellows to me ; and when he recalled the memory of 
Freeman to an elder of Gamford, " And was'nt he a fine fellow V the other 
ex< laimed in exstacy, " Why, bless ye, they can't mak sike now V 3 Another 
star of light at the rustic academy was Mary Ann Hilton, his sister, full 
of life, and joy, and mischief, and well remembered for her pious frauds in 
promising apricots, and peaches, and rare fruits (which excited the imagina- 
tion of her boyish comrades in no small degree, but of which the gardens at 
Hilton are stated to have been very innocent in their country riches of good 
old plums and substantial apples) in order to have her sums worked for her; 
for I believe persons of light and airy temperament are rarely very grave 
arithmeticians. She died of consumption at the age of 25, and was buried 
in Darlington church. James Sertees Hilton, another of this last genera- 
tion of the Hiltons of Hilton, an officer in the army, died aged only 22, soon 
after his return from the West Indies. And thus they passed away, and the 
representation of their branch ran into the issue of the only one who married, 
Margaret Hilton. She was the wife of Mr. Harrington Lee, an eminent 
mercer of Darlington, who built Polam Hall and Tees Cottage, both near that 
town, where he successively resided. He was injured by his thrashing ma- 
chine at the latter place, which crushed him against a wall, and he lived only 
a week after. His wife died of apoplexy brought on by an attack of tic 
doloreux. Of their children, William Lee, the eldest, died at Caen in 1823, 

Here whilst his soul ascends its native skies 
The dust of much lamented Hilton lies, 
O'er which each feeling heart must sure bestow 
The genuine tear of unaffected woe ; 
For in his character not only blend 
The tender husband, parent, gen'rous friend, — 
The social virtues of Lis boundless mind 
Prov'd him the general friend of all mankind," 
Arms : Three annulets, in chief a trefoil between two saltires. Crest : A demigrifiin charged 
with a trefoil. The wife of the jolly squire thus commemorated, was a Close, of Richmond 
Of all the families of Richmond, " none ranked during the last century before the Closes, 
They were a house of lawyers, and appear to have risen aDd flourished in the law. They 
were Town Clerks of Richmond continuously for about a century," John Close, esq., clerk 
of assize for the Northern district resided a short time at Scorton, and intending to reside 
at Easby Hall, furnished it accordingly, but died very suddenly the night before he in- 
tended entering it, 4 April, 1772. Some genealogical account of the Closes maybe seen 
from the able pen of W. D'Oyly Bayley, esq., in the Topographer and Genealogist, i., 559; 
but the husband of Mrs. Hilton, who is there made the cousin of John named above, is 
wrongly styled Benjamin. She died at Barnard-castle, aged 65, " of consumption," but 
was buried near her spouse. 

* " Lately, at Darlington, Abraham Hilton, esq., one of the sixty clerks in the court of 
Chancery."'— Gent. May., Oeiober, 1792. Obituary. 



xlvi FAMILY OF HYLTON. 

aged 27, and was buried by the English Consul in our national burial ground 
there, and a monument was afterwards erected to his memory by his father. 
The night this young man died in a strange land, his mother asserted that 
she distinctly saw his figure on going into the room where he had usually 
slept. She ran down stairs, exclaiming, " Oh ! I am sure something has 
happened my poor boy," and became so ill that she was confined to her room 
for some weeks afterwards, though the news of her son's death did not arrive 
till after some time had elapsed. Harrington Lee, the second son, died 
young. Hilton Lee, the third, a surgeon at Stokesley, died there very sud- 
denly, aged 27. He felt as it were a pain in his finger, this increased in 
extent till it reached his head, and he died in two hours. 

After the sudden deaths of Mrs. Lee and Hilton Lee, Surtees Lee — u the 
last leaf on the blasted tree" — grew exceedingly nervous and fearful of a like 
fate. To such an extent did this feeling go that he would not sleep alone. 
His will excluded his own relations from the executorship, and the testator 
dying insolvent, and his estate being greatly wasted by the excesses of his 
boon companions, who came, as he said himself, " merely for what there was 
to drink," his treasured trifles — things which even in a bankrupt's case are 
held sacred — the splendid brocade dresses of the Hyltons, the visiting-dresses, 
bonnets and caps of his sister Mary, all the articles to which privacy attaches ; 
nay, the very gown in which Mrs. Lee had been seized with her death-stroke, 
were brought to the hammer.* A burst of indignation attended so shame- 
less an exhibition, and the scene was as unnatural as it was startling. The 
hardly suppressed feelings of the more educated part of the community were 
ever and anon offended by the brutal laughter of the mob at the ancient 
make of some of the habiliments brought out. The chrism-cloth of crimson, 
silver and golden threads, in which the members of the family of Hylton 
had for long been baptized, was purchased by Mr. Abraham Hilton, of 
Barnard-castle. -f- 

Richard Hilton, the balival lawyer of Darlington, and founder of the stock 
last traced, had a brother Robert Hilton, of Durham, gent., whose de- 
scendants adopted the orthography Hylton, rather than Hilton. His daughter 
Alice, married for her third husband Thomas Bellasyse, esq., of Haughton- 
le-Skerne, and had by him an only child, Martha Maria Bellasyse, who 
married Richard Bowes, esq., and originated the family of Bowes, of Darling- 
ton.j Robert Hylton, esq., the brother of Mrs. Bellasyse, commonly 
styled Dr. Hylton, an eminent surgeon, of Darlington, in 1727 bought 
Polam Hill, alias Glasensikes, for 600/., and sold it in 1728 for 605/. to 
Lawrence Brockett, of Hilton, esq. He married first, his cousin Hannah 
Hilton, the bailiff's daughter, who died childless ; second, Jane, coheiress of 
Isaac Surtees, of Myers Flatt, whose sister had married her husband's 

* She was washing herself at the time, and the pin with which she had hastily fastened 
her tucked-up sleeve was still remaining in the gown when it was thus exposed. 

f A gothic turreted headstone of some pretence, but ve^r meagre execution, was erected 
in Haughton-le-Skerne churchyard. It presents an adumbration to the arms of Hylton, 
giving the field purpure and omitting the trefoil ; and for a crest, a wingless griffin. " The 
family burial place of Harrington and Margt. Lee, of Darlington. Harrington died 28 Deer. 
1824, aged 57 years. Margt. his wife died 13 Septr., 1830, aged 58 years. Hilton , their son, 
died 11 Jany., 1831, aged 27 years. Mary, their daughter, died 26 Novr., 1834, aged 35 
years. Surtees, their son, died 14 Jany., 1842, aged 36 years." On an altar-tomb, S.E. of 
the church, is another child commemorated. " In memory of William Robson of Great 
Burdon, grandson of Wm. Wastell of the same place, who departed this life the 23rd of 
Deer,, 1 828, aged 78 years. Also Mary his wife, who died May the 26th, 1822, aged 69 years. 
Also on the 21st of April, 1831, aged 35 years Margaret [Lee] wife of their son William 
Robson of Stockton, who departed this life August 18th, 1838, aged 47 years. 

X See pedigree of the descendants of Alice Hylton at the end of this memoir. 



HYLTON OF DARLINGTON. xlvii 

cousiu, Abraham Hilton, by which matches the Hyltons became connected 
with the Kobsons of Darlington.* By Jane Surtees Dr. Hylton had a son, 
Captain Abraham Hilton, brought up an attorney, who lived in the old- 
fashioned looking house at the East end of Haughton-le-Skerne, now occu- 
pied by the Miss Wrightsons, and was probably tinged with eccentricity. 
His constant perambulations on his front have perpetuated the name of 
" Captain Hilton's walk" to the distance between his house and what is now 
the " Black Lion Inn ;" and in 1760 he joined the Quakers in returning 
gloves at Miss Dolly Allan's funeral. In 1753 he had received a scarf for 
the funeral of George Allan, esq., of Grange, but his rude conduct evidently 
caused his omission in the lists for that ot John Killinghall, esq., in 1762. 
The altar-tomb to his memory existed in Surtees's time, to the West of the 
church of Haughton.-f- As it has totally disappeared, it was probably in 
that part of the churchyard now devoted to the formation of cottage gardens. 
His brother Robert Hilton, a midshipman, RN., died in coming from the 
East Indies. Both were childless, and the male blood of their line ceased. 

Dr. Hylton (who died in 1746) took unto himself a third spouse in 
Mary, the daughter and coheiress of Robert Weemes, j gent., the heiress of 
a manor at Stranton, and other lands, formerly belonging to her ancestors 
the Gibsons of Stranton, who is well remembered in tradition, in connection 
with divers heavy potations of old ale doled out in Christmas time at the 
manor-house of Stranton, where her husband resided after the marriage. 
She died in 1766.§ 

The only child of this marriage, Mary Hylton, or, as she afterwards spelt 
it, Hilton, the coheiress of her father, and whose family (on the extinction 
of the issue of George Bromley, the first husband of her mother " Madame 
Hylton," in Frances Pewterer, the wife of William Bacon Forster, esq., of 
Newton cap, and of William Bentham, of Lincoln's Inn, esq., F.A.S., and L.S.) 
became sole heirs of her mother, married the Rev. William Longstaffe, of a 
Westmoreland family, || curate of Sedgefield, under the learned Bishop 

* See pedigrees of the Robsons and Peases, after the last pedigree. 

+ " Abraham Hilton, ob. 11th April 1778, aetat. 57. Elizabeth Hilton, ob. 28th Dec, 
1788, aetat. 70." 

Z Originally of Little Ryle, in Northumberland, and connected with the Sheraton faraily 
of Weemes, represented by the Richmonds of Stockton. We have a tradition that the 
Weemes races of Durham came joyously out of Scotland on the heels of king Jamie, and 
certainly my great grandame quartered Weemes of Bogie, co. Fife. John Weemes, A.M., 
minister of Lay thaker, in Scotland, was a learned writer on divinity, and in 1634, at the 
special recommendation of Chas. I., was inducted prebendary of the second stall at Durham, 
In 1 644, there was a warrant to sequester two parts of the property of Robert Weemes, a 
papist at Trimdon. I am inclined to trace a line of the name at Darlington to him. Ro- 
bert Weames of Darlington, shoemaker, a papist, bur. 23 May, 1724, mar. Susanna (bur. 31 
Jan., 1714-5) and had a son Jo'n, a papist, bur. 8 Apr., 1718. Robert, s. Widow Weemes of 
Darlington, bur. 16 Nov., 1727. Thomas Weemes, a papist of Darlington, taylor, bur. 23 
March, 1759. 

? " Mrs. Hylton of Hartlepool" gave 20/. to the Newcastle Infirmary in 1751. By will, 
1766, Mary Hilton, then of the city of Durham, widow, gave to the poor of Stranton, Hart, 
and Monk-Heselton, 201. each ; and of Hartlepool, 40/. to be distributed in sums of not more 
than U., nor less than 10s., to each oldest housekeeper or poor family, and to the ministers 
of the same places 1/. Is. each for their trouble. 

|| " The traveller was born at Soulby. Alas ! his poor father felt the heavy hand of op- 
pression ; a favourite estate, which his ancestors had long and comfortably enjoyed, was 
wrested from him : this misfortune preyed upon his spirits a few years ; he at length sunk 
under it, died of a broken heart, and his family was turned adrift upon the wide world. 
The memory of these particulars occasioned reflections bitter as wormwood ; and were not 
a little aggravated from beholding the house that first covered me in a most inclement 
season converted into a barn." Family tradition states that this woeful passage in the 
vicar's MSS. for 1785, alludes to the circumstance that George Longstaffe his father owned 
an estate at one side of the stream which runs through Soulby ; his neighbour on the 
opposite brink went to law with him about a petty matter which five shillings would have 






xlyiii FAMILY OF HYLTON. 

Lowth,* where he resided some years after he was made vicar of Kelloe. He 
was appointed a Deputy Lieut, of the county of Durham in 1785, and chap- 
lain to the Earl of Aboyne in 1796 ; was a tolerable poet, possessing a 
keen perception of the beauties of nature ; and his sketches of his rural and 
topographical excursions, in which he much delighted, are drawn with a true 
and graphic hand. He was a remarkably short man, and very plain withal, 
and it is added that his talents must have been the only reason for Miss 
Hylton's preference. He occasionally resided in the Hylton manor-house 
at Stranton, and after his wife's death*]- had a cross old housekeeper there 
who made her puddings so heavy that they would, my father always said, 
roll down Roseberry Topping without breaking, under the pretext that " it 
was nae use making things that warn't substantial/' He died in 1806, aged 
73, having survived all his children save his daughter Mary Hilton, who 
married Mr. William Lynn, and whose descendants still preserve a portion 
of the Stranton estate. 

His son William Longstaff, esq., a surgeon, had died in 1795, " aged 25 
years, one month, 3 weeks, and 3 days." His wife was Ann OornforthJ who 
brought in another vein of Hylton blood. Her mother, Elizabeth Hylton, 
is said to have been daughter of a squire, a retired Captain in the army, 
who resided in an old hall house in Cumberland or Westmoreland, and to 
have lived at one time with a maternal uncle, a rich merchant in London, 
who, kind soul, had as he thought provided her a proper spouse in a wealthy 
old comrade of that city. It has not been a prevailing characteristic in the 
Hylton damsels to allow themselves to be bought and sold like cattle, by 

rectified ; they fought on, and both were ruined. The father retired to Sunderland ; and 
William, his eldest son, under the patronage of honest old Yates, of birching memory at 
Appleby, was admitted at Magdalene College, Cambridge, in 1754. 

* I possess a long friendly correspondence between rector and curate. In one place the 
latter had been assaulted by a parishioner, and obliged to take him before a justice, when 
he declined to prosecute, and showed all proper lenity. In another (1764), Louth, then a 
prebendary at Durham, writes, " Robinson, the clerk's son, has been just now with me to 
let me know that his father is going to marry Ann Gelson, and to desire me to put a stop 
to his design, if I can. He says that he has this day been here, and has actually got a 
licence. If the fool is capable of listening to any remonstrance, pray represent to him the 
scandal and inevitable ruin that will come upon him ; and tell him from me, that I will 
take care, that his marriage shall be immediately celebrated by his spouse's doing penance m 
the most public manner, and that he shall officiate at the ceremony; and further, that i" will 
never rest till I have got him turned out of his place : for if I cannot do it myself, I will 
complain of him to the bishop, as a scandal and offence to the parish. In short, I beg you 
to use all legal methods of preventing the execution of his purpose." 
f " Heu ! uxorem omnis curse casusque levamen, 
Amitto Mariam : — 

" March the 9th 1778. At eight o'clock, in the morning of this dismal day, died my dear 
wife Mary Longstaff in the Rectory House at Sedgefield, after Ave had lived happily to- 
gether in the married state Eleven years and Eleven days : and after she had born to me 
nine children — two of whom now survive her (viz.) William Longstaff and Mary Hilton 
Longstaff. May it please God to preserve and keep them ! " — Family Bible. 

% Mrs. Longstaff 's eldest sister, Mary Cornforth, married Jonathan Midgley, esq., of 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, descended from the famous Rev. George Hickes, D.JD. Of their 
numerous family, two only survive, the Rev. Edward James Midgley, the perpetual curate 
of Medomsley, aud Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Taylor, of Cleadon, the widow of the lamented 
John Brough Taylor, esq., F.S.A., of Bishopwearmouth, one of the first collectors of his day; 
his ample mind grasping genealogy,numismatics, antiquities in general, botany, mineralogy, 
and his surgical profession, which would be happily relieved by skilful playing at chess or 
whist. He was indeed one of those happy individuals who could be delightful in any so- 
ciety. His own publications were confined to the reprinting of Hegge's Legend of Saint 
Cuthbert, from the Freville Lambton copy (now in his widow's possession), and the joint 
editorship (with Sir Cuthbert Sharp) of the Durham Heraldic Visitation of 1615, but he 
contemplated a minute survey of the geological strata on our Eastern coast. He was one 
of Mr. Surtees's main props, having an enormous collection of genealogical data, copies 
made by himself of voluminous visitations and ordinaries, &c. ; and his assistance is warmly 
acknowledged in the work itself, but the reader will in vain search for his name among the 
Mainsforth guests in the life prefixed to the posthumous volume, 



HYLTON OF DARLTNGTON. x li x 

parents, guardians, or any body else ; or to give their hands without their 
hearts, and Lizzie Hylton 's fire in an instant rose. She fled ; and some 
earlier connection with the Seaforth family induced her to attach herself to 
them, and take charge of the daughters of Lord Fortrose, who seems to have 
resided occasionally at Coxhoe, the estate of his mother the heiress of 
Kennet, who had died in exile at Paris in 1 789, although pardon had been 
granted to her husband, the fifth Earl of Seaforth, in 1726. Miss Hylton 
is described as having been a very fine woman, and in every way calculated 
for her charge. Richard Cornforth was steward for the estate of the titular 
Lord Seaforth, and his son William married the fair runaway in 1754.* 
" None but the brave deserve the fair/' and in proper obedience to the pre- 
cept conveyed, the highminded girl had pitched on a man of no small prow- 
ess. William Cornforth was born at Manfield near Darlington, and was 
descended from a sturdy race of yeomanry gentry seated at Blackwell (where 
they were the largest copyholders) from the fourteenth century. -f They 
had however broken up there at the close of the seventeenth century, and 
were dispersed into the country adjoining ; keeping up, with a faithful memory 
of their Darlington origin, an inveterate fondness for their ancient names of 
Richard, William, and John. " Squire Cornforth, whom Yorkshire and 
Bishopric own for breeding and hunting's exceeded by none," lived at Barford 
on Tees, and was famed as the owner of the Barford red bull, J the sire of 
the celebrated Raby ox, which weighed when alive 240st. About 1772 he 
frequently occurs in the Northern race lists as owner of horses, one of which 
won the 50/. plate at Wakefield in that year. But I have heard a tradition 
in my family that the whole race was desperately addicted to horse racing 
and hunting, and that near Darlington is a place called " Cornforth's leap/' 
a locality T have never pitched upon. Indeed, Elizabeth Hylton's spouse 
had such a liking for that sort of thing, that he had a race horse which was 
only prevented from winning at Stockton races by the saddle-band having 
dishonestly been cut nearly through, by which means it at last snapped and 
the jockey rolled off. He was a supervisor of excise, and possessing all the 
hardihood and daring of his Nimrodian ancestry, was the terror of the 
smugglers far and near. One of his most dangerous districts was Weardale, 
into which he penetrated fully armed with sword and pistols, and where, not 
being able to procure corn for such a purpose, he had to feed his charger 
with bread and beer. The deadly revenge of the smugglers proved the 
death of his son Richard, who was in the same service. Richard was on a 

* It is traditionally said that the younger Seaforth followed the rash example of his 
father, (who d. 1740,) and was involved in the affairs of 1745, and in vain attempted to per- 
suade Miss Hylton to accompany his family abroad. But I am in a " Scotch mist" in the 
matter, all I know being that Coxhoe was sold before 1749, that the titular earl died in 
1762, and that William Cornforth could not be engaged to Elizabeth Hylton in 1745 (as tra- 
dition says to account for her love for English soil) since he was then aged about 13 only. 
His uncle John Cornforth is described as of Coxhoe Hall. What induced Lizzie to remain 
in the country from 1745 or 1749 to 1754, I know not. Her family had a Seaforth cradle, 
but it is now destroyed. 

Aberdeen, Mar. 14,1746. "All the advantages the rebels will have gained by taking 
fort George and fort Augustus ; and the retreat of Lord Loudoun, will be drawing the seat 
of the war amongst the hills ; and protracting it a little time ; and the only junction they 
have gained there, is some few of the Mackenzies, headed by the lady Seaforth, but the 
lord of that name is with Lord Loudoun, as is Mr. Mackintosh, whose wife is likewise in 
the rebellion." [// this be a contrivance, it may save or lose their heads, according as 
the word wife is understood.']— London Gazette, Mar. 22, quoted by Gentleman's Maga- 
zine of the day. 

f See pedigree annexed to this memoir. The bulk of the Cornforth lands in Blackwell 
subsequently passed by purchase to the Prescotts and Allans. 

X Bought of Esquire Milbank, of Barningham. 

3a 



FAMILY OF HYLTON, 



fine full-blood mare in the Whitby district, and whilst he was off it, some 
wretches played the same trick as I have mentioned was done on the Stock- 
ton race course. JBut here the end was fatal. The young man dashed into 
a creek near Skinningrave. The water was high, and in its centre the 
girth gave way. The rider was plunged into the "current and rose no more. 

Some portraits and the locket of John Scott Hylton, esq., of Lapal House 
near Hales Owen, and agreeable letters from Shenstone to that gentleman 
(who was his friend and neighbour) have descended to the issue of Elizabeth 
Hylton.* He was an elegant scholar, a clever rhymster, and a large collec- 
tor of coins. His relative, William Hilton Longstaff, esq., was also a 
minute amateur etcher, collector, and illuminator of coins, shields, book-plates, 
and seals.f 

I would that the good and eloquent Surtees had lived to write the memoir 
to attach to his pedigree of the Hyltons ot Hilton and Darlington. My pen 
inay be guided, and my opinions coloured by affection. Yet I have endea- 
voured to be impartial in my story, to hide no fault. I have no more 
earnest wish than that the landless heirs of Hylton may ever have a 
proper pride, a deep respect for the memory of the departed just, which 
will keep those who view their pedigree as a " great moral/' from any 
tinge of meanness, rapacity, or dishonour. Their genealogy is besprinkled 
with the evil, but sparingly ; and the beneficent Being who showered 
his blessing on their virtuous forefathers, will not cease to provide for them, 
if they do " that which is right in the sight of the Lord, according to all 
that their fathers have done." Let them never stoop to be busy flatter- 
ers, slaves of gold, and (if they rise again in temporal riches) forgetful of 
the claims of relatives who may not stand so high in earthly honour ; but 
be they chivalrous, independent, and kind. There is a benefit in family his- 
tory, which the irreligious, the miserable souls that despise it, canuot derive ; 
and though, by the extravagance of those who " have spirted as do fountains 
through the air," the nourishing soil of more than one goodly branch ot the 



* He wore the arms of Hylton of Hylton Castle, but I scarcely know the connection, un- 
less he was a Hylton of the Staffordshire family settled at Reahall. Among his papers is a 
letter from J. Hilton, Birmingham, 4 Oct., 1736, to "my dear sister" Mrs. Hilton at Mr. 
Fransisco's, in Plumb Tree street, St. Giles's, London, on the death of his father, on 29 Sept., 
who was bur. in Yardley church by desire. He mentions another sister and his mother 
who designed to be buried beside her husband at Yardley. — " Capt. Edmund Scott Hylton, 
manager for Ed. Garth waite, to get a coat of arms 1748, and make out a pedigree." — (Sir 
Cuth. Sharp's MSS.) — Oddly enough, John Scott Hylton was an intimate friend and corre- 
spondent of my maternal ancestor, the Rev. Dr. Gaunt (a sort of crusader against early 
Methodism) and was witness to my grandmother's baptism. Dr. Gaunt had procured 
some of his memorials, which with his correspondence with him have now joined the 
papers &c. which came by my father's line. He settled at Lapal House, in 1753. He also 
corresponded and was on very friendly terms with the vivacious Lady Luxborough, and 
dying in 1793, aged 68, was buried in Hales Owen Church, under a stone which described 
him as " a safe companion, and an easy friend." Mrs. Cornforth d. in 1783, aged 62. 

+ I regret very much that 1 have neither blue eyes nor Saxon hair, and 1 very much 
doubt whether any antiquarian taste descends from their possessors to me. So that it is pro- 
bable that old Dyer and I with our little brown peepers among the ruins of Rome would 
have been a much more companionable pair, than any one of my paternal namesakes with 
me. Still I have a fond clinging to my blue-eyed friends, and I would not have the memory 
of my sire wholly pass away. The grass grows green on his unrecorded grave, and some 
may only name him as the vendor of ancient family possessions. But I knew him as a 
man so full of curious information that we never walked without my returning struck with 
something new and attractive. I have his delicate armories, and limnings of flowers, and 
careful anatomical etchings. Many facts have, to my extreme mortification, died with 
him, and rendered the memoir of the Hyltons less ample than it might have been, for it 
must be owned that a very tithe of his genealogical knowledge was committed to paper. 
An arrangement for his admittance into the Heralds College fell throughout his collection 
of some 1200 bookplates, mostly original from old books, but many gorgeously illuminated 
designs from his own pencil, form a volume of no ordinary beauty, and prove him to have 
been most fitted for such an office. 



CORNFORTH OF BLACKWELL. li 

stately cedar lias utterly passed away, there is no real ground for repining 
Some natural tears of sorrow may not be foregone, but yet 

" Wit hint our time." 






The old High-street passing over Pounteys Bridge, near Dinsdale, became 
gradually deserted, for that across Croft Bridge, in some measure it is said from the fer- 
quent robberies in the wet hollow pass of County's Lane, and this tradition receives 
confirmation from a letter of Bp. Cosin. His lordship, be it premised, was anxious to 
secure the carriage of some gold into Yorkshire, to pay for the purchase of Brafferton. 
" Agree by private letters between Mr. Ralph Rymer and your selfe how the money 
shall be safely conveyed unto him according to the former agreement, which was, that 
hee should send two men to you to Durham, who might help to guard it with your own 
company to Brafferton [near Boroughbridge] ; unto which company Dr. Gilbert will 
give order to two of his family at Greatham Hospitall, that upon your sending for them, 
they shall come provided to goe along with you from Durham ; for Mr. Hilton's sonne, 
who brought your letter hither, tells us that he was in great danger to be robbed about 
Darnton and Neesum by thieves and highwaymen that lay upon the street there, to set 
upon passengers who they thought carried any money with them ; and he named Bar- 
wick for one, a famous thiefe, with others in his company, besides one Middleton, and 
one Coperthwaite, who layd at Neesum for their prey, and that he was putt to ride full 
speed for four miles together to escape them in their pursuit of him. Therefore I shall 
pray you to be well appointed when 3-ou carry the money, and to let it get no wind 
before you take the journey for that purpose ; and to give warning to Mr. Rymer, that 
the two men whom he intends to send to you shall not know or make it known to any 
person for what end they come to goe along with you. And so have you all the punc- 
tuall directions that I can give you herein : ouly you are to pay Mr. Rymer allowance 
of interest for two months after Michaelmas." — The road from Pounteys proceeds " with 
a truly Roman pertinacity," as Surtees remarks, to Sadberge, and thence to Stainton-2«~ 
the-Street. 



lielisw of d-a'rnforti) nf ISlacfctortl. 

(See p. xlix.) 

Agnes Cornforthb (probably the relict of John Cornforth who held copyhold pro- 
perty at Cockerton at the date of Hatfield's survey, about 1380) having a widow's right 
surrendered in 30 Langley (1436-7) to her son 

William Cornforth, 2 mes. and 4 oxg. in Black well, to which his widow Jane was 
adm., 2 Sherwood (1487). In 11 Booth (1468-9) he surrendered 1 mes. f oxg. at Black- 
well to his son 

John Corneforth, who died about 1509, and had issue 

John Corneforthe, called junior in 1506-7 when Robert s. John Hudson surr. to him 
half of 8 oxg. of Burdland at Black well : adm. s. and h. of John C, cousin (consan- 
guineus, next of kin) and h. of Agnes C. to 2 mes. 1.V oxg. and 2 mes. 4 oxg. in 1 Ruth- 
all, 1510. Mar. Catherine, d. and h. of Richard Wolfehill, who brought Topcliffclose 
at Blackwell to the Cornforths, and had issue 

Richard Corneforth, s. and h. to his mother, adm. as h. of his father to the 2 mes. 
4 oxg., and to 1 oxg. of Burdland, 3 Wolsey, 1525. Mar. Elen, adm. as his widow to 
the 2 mes. 4 oxg. and the Bordland, 11 Tunstall, 1541, and had iseue 

William Corneforth, adm. as s. and h. to the 2 mes. 1^ oxg., and the 2 mes. 4 oxg., 
19 Tunstall, 1549, and had issue 

Robert Corneforth, on the authority of the admittance in 37 Eliz. to Topcliffclose 
(in which the whole descent from Catherine Wolfehill is stated) of his son William. 
On Jan. 1, 1569-70, John Corneforth, concerned in the Rising of the North, was re- 
ceived into the protection of the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Admiral. 



Hi 



FAMILY OF HYLTON. 



William Cornefurthe, yeoman, Blackwell, acquired property in Towneland, Bra- 
kinmoore, Malande, and Stickbitehlande in 10 and 31 Eliz. : adm. to Topeliffclose, 37 
Eliz. : bur. at Darlington 21 Dec., 1604 : inq. p. m. 4 May 3 Jas. (held 9 acr. near 
Glasensike). He had issue 



CUTHBERT. 

? Frances Cornfoorth, mar., 1591, to Anthony Branson. 

held halfe of Stickbitch. 
? Elizabeth Cornforth, bur. 1596-7. 
? Margaret Cornforth, bur. 1597. 



In 1642, Frances Branson 



Cuthbert Cornfoorthe, of Blackwell, s. and h. aged 40, 4 May, 3 Jas. (1606) ac- 
quired half of Adamponds lands in 37 Eliz. : bur. 27 Apr., 1616. Mar. Jane, adm. 15 
Jas. as widow to Adamponds lands, &c, and bur. 9 Sep., 1657, her son William paying 
105. for " his mother's layrestall" in the church. At the division of Blackwell com- 
mons she obtained 167 acr. 20 p. in Little Ings, Milne feild, North feild, Snipe, Horse- 
close and Brankinmoor (by her own request), and 31 acr. on Brankinmoor abutting on 
France Dike on the N. and Darneton Moor on the E. The commissioners usually set 
out for every original oxgang 19 acr. in the Townefeilds, and 1 acr. on Brankinmoor. 
Cuthbert and his wife had issue 

i. William, bp. 1600, br. 1601. 

ii. Richard, of Blackwell, adm. as s. and h. to his father's Blackwell lands, 22 Cha. 
I. : bp. 1601-2, held the largest copyhold in Blackwell, 1642, having with other 
towneland, boordland, coterights, &c, Stickbitche fiatt, France, and half of 
Stickbitch : bur. 25 Jan., ]655-6, in the church. In 1636 he was collector of the 
obnoxious ship-money in the Darlington division. In 1653 there was letten by 
the Darlington wardens to John Ratcliffe and his wife two seates in the backer 
of souther most stall that was Richard Cornforth, and to Raphe Wilson one 
seat for hirnselfe in the same stall. In 1655 to Wm. C. that stall which was his 
brother Richard's, and in 1 658 to the same, tow seats in his owne stalle for tow 
of his children which was John Rattlefes and his wife's seats, received 2s. 

in. William, bp. 1605, owned in 1642 (when the Cornforths were the largest copy- 
holders in Blackwell) property in towneland, the noutebrigg loning being 9 acr. 
town land (Snipe lane), a midding stead novie belonging to Branson howse, the 
fower bankes and a threshwood stead : held Nordykes (now the property of 
R. H. Allan, esq.) : liv. 1675 : " 1636, Received of Willm. Cornefoith of Black- 
well, for one seat in the stall that joynes of Mr. Hopes pue where he reades 
common prayer on the West side (elsewhere called " of the West side of the 
pulpit and next to it")." Mar. Susannah, bur. in the church, 19 Mar. 1676-7, 
and had issue 

i. Francis, bp. 1656. 

ii. Cuthbert, bp. and bur. 1644, in the church. 

in. William, bp. 1647-8. Qu. William Cornforth, of Darlington, shoemaker, Roman- 
catholic, bur. 8 Mar., 1727-8, who by his wife Mary, liv. a widow, Rom. Cath. in 1728 
he had issue Mary, bur. 30 May, 1728, R. C, and probably also William Cornforth, a 
cutler, papist, Darlington, bur. 1761. 
? iv Cuthbert C, junior (in distinction to his cousin Mr. Cuthbert), of Blackwell, occurs 
as such at least till 1685, had a son bv Elizabeth Younge Robert Cornforth alias Younge 
bp. 24 Nov., 1666, and by his wife Elizabeth [Younge?] (bur. 25 Dec, 1680, as wife of 
Chuthbert C. of B.) a son Thomas, bp. 3 July., 1679. 

*** 1680. " Cuth. Cornforth in right of his father the tow seats fore in that pew 
which his father had commonly called by the name of Cornforth seates on the South 
alley adjoyning upon Mr. Middleton pew on the North being built at the charge 
of his predecessesers." 
i. Elinor, bp. 1639. 
2. Suzanna, bp. 1641. 

iv. Thomas. 

v. John, of Blackwell, bp. 1614-5, bur. 20 Apr. 1659, in the church. He had issue 

i. Mr. John Cornforth, of Blackwell, bp. 18 June, 1644; a collector for the poor, 1667; 
Will 1 Mar., 1675, by which he left 40/. to the poor of Blackwell, the profit to be dis- 
tributed yearly,— nieces, Elizabeth and Mary Fawcett (under 18)— nephew, Whayre 
Fawcett (under 15)— if my brother Fawcett dye without issue begotten of my sister, 
reall estate to Cuthbert Cornforth— brother Edward Burbeck, brother Richard Bur 
beck and sister Jane Burbeck, cossen Christopher Hodgson and Anthony Elgye, Mi- 
chael Hodgson and John Elgye their sons, uncle William Cornforth and cosen Cuth 
bert Cornforth 20*. apiece to buye them rings— Robert Swainston 40*. to make amend- 
ment for his bargain— Phillis which was the servant of Roger Fowler 40.?. for her 
wage. Bur. in Darlington church, 4 Mar, 1675-6. Mar., in 1671, Bridget, dau. of 
Edward Birkbeck, esq., of Hornby, liv, 1685. d. s. p. 

1. Jane, mar. to Whayre Fawcett, and had issue. " 1676. For Mr. Fawcett child larestall 
—for laving stone over Mr. Fawcett child— 1680, Mr. Fawcet mother larestall— for Mr. 
Fawcett chyld grave stone— 1684, for Mr. Whayre Fawcet child leyre-stall." 

1. Margaret, bp. 1598, mar. in 1621, Timothy Hutton of Blackwell, and had issue, 

Elenor, bp. 1622 ; Anne, 1623-4 (bur. 1634) ; Christofer, 1629 ; and Robert, 1634. 

2. Jane, bp. 1600, bur. 1601. 

Qu. Elizabeth Cornforth, of Blackwell, bur. 29 Jan., 1674-5. 



BOWES OF DARLINGTON. \[\[ 

Thomas Cornforth, of Blackwell, bp. 1612, possessed, inter alia, in 1642, 14 acr. in 
Stickbitch nooke, quondam Geo. Garnett's, and the howse quondam Mr. Place's, bur. 2 
Mar., 1668-9. Mar. 22 Dec, 1638, Anne Taylor, bur. 2 Feb., 1661-2, by whom he had 
issue 

i. William, bp. and bur. 1661. 

II. CUTHBERT. 

in. John, bp. 1659. 

1. Margaret, bp. 1642, bur. 1642-3, in the church. 

2. Jane, bp. 1645-6. 

3. Frances, bp. 1653-4. 

4. Frances, bp. 1655. 

Mr. Cuthbert Cornforth, of Blackwell, of Tollthorpe, co. York, gent., 1674 (when 
lie sold part of the present Woodside property) ; of Darlington, 1681, bp. 21 Jan., 
1640-1 ; bur. 20 Nov., 1711, at Barlington ; adin. in right of his father Thomas to 2 
seats or places described in 1688 as on the North side of the middle alley adjoyning to 
pew belonging to a certain house in Darlington called the White horse. Mar. Maty, 
bur. 13 May, 1715, as of Darlington, widow, by whom he had issue 

i. Francis, bp. 1666-7. Qu. Francis Cornforth, of Durham, who mar. Mary Simson, 

of Darlington, 4 Dec, 1709, and was mayor of Durham 1711, 1716, 1723. 
ii. Charles, bp. 1668. 

1. Elizabeth, bp. 1670. 

2. Ann, bp. 1676, bur. 27 Sep., 1781, in the chnrch. 

3. Mary, bp. 1679. 

%* Crispin Viewly, shoemaker, and Grace Cornforth, both of Darlington, m. 19 
Nov., 1749. 



Bcsrnrtrants of Elire ffcfiitim. (Botoes of Bculington). 

The family of Bowes of Darlington claims origin from the great house oi 
Streatlam, and there is little doubt of the correctness of this family tradition, 
which is supported by long continued usage of arms.* There is direct 
evidence of descent through Hylton, Brackenbury, and Wycliffe. They 
have also the honour of representing the Durham branch of the ancient 
family of Bellasis. I have not a tittle of new matter to add to the excellent 
pedigree of this latter eminent house given by Mr. Surtees. Sir William 
Bellasis of Newborough Abbey, co. York, eldest son of Richard Bellasis, of 
Murton, par. Houghton-le-Spring, had issue Sir Henry, the ancestor of the 
Earls of Fauconberg ; Bryan, from whom descended the houses of Owton, 
par. Stranton, Brancepeth Castle, and Murton House ; and James, of 
Owton, par. Stranton, the donor of the Howdens charity to the parish of 
Darlington, who died childless. In after times the families of Owton and 
Brancepeth Castle became extinct by the deaths of Henry Bellasyse (the 
eldest representative of the Owton branch) who was living in Cheshire in 
1794, aged 84, s. p. and of Bridget Bellasyse last descendant of the Brance- 
peth family, in 1774, unm. when the representation devolved on Thomas 
Bowes, Esq. of Darlington, the grandson of Thomas Bellasis, of Haughton- 
le-Skerne, the last heir male of Bellasis, of Murton House. 

The following letters may amuse my readers before they plunge into the 
cold bath of pedigree. The first is from the Harleian MSS., the second in 

* The customary bearings of Bowes and Bellasis are given quarterly. 



li v FAMILY OF HYLTON. 

the possession of Thomas Bowes, esq., and is addressed to his ancestor Col. 
William Belasys, son of the sheriff mentioned in the earlier epistle. 

" Salutem in Christo. — Sir, — Novve I knowe to whome I am beholding for two'e younge 
roebucke pyes, and I thanke you heartily for them. They came not as you intended, 
but I will take leave to tell you how they came. The twoe pyes came to me a little 
before Christmas, as moldy e as if they had been sent from a farre countrye. No direc- 
tion at all came with them, but only that they came from Duresme ; soe I thought they 
had been my lord bishop's kindnes, and either I did give him thankes for them, or 
intended to doe. No we in the midle of May came your letters, by which I understand 
the pyes came from you, and truly I thanke you as heartily as if they had come to me 
in very good case, for soe I knowe you intended them. And with these thankes I leave 
you to the grace of God and rest, — Your loveing freinde, — W. Cant. — Lambeth, June 3, 
1634. — To my very loveing freind, Sir William Bellasys, sheriff of the bishopricke of 
Durham, these." [This " W. Cant." was the celebrated Archbishop Laud.] 

" Brusselles, 18 March, 1660. — This bearer hath informed me of the greate affection 
and zeale you haue for my service, and of the opportunity and interest you haue to 
advance it, which I doute not you will use with all the dexterity you can : It is not 
possible for me in these greate changes and variety of accidents which euery day fall out, 
to giue you any instructions for the carrying on my seruice ; nor can I dislike the me- 
thode the bearer tells me you intende to obserue, but you will best iudge with the aduiee 
of my frindes who are upon the place with you, what is most proper and seasonable to 
be done, towards the atteyning the good end you ayme at ; and I hope God will blesse 
your ioynte endeavours for the peace and ' happynesse of the Nation : You will easily 
beleeue I haue the sence I ought to haue of your care and kindnesse, of which, if God 
blesse me, you shall finde the effects ; and that I am, Your very affectionate frinde, — 
Charles R." — Seal — France and England ; quartering Scotland and Ireland. — C.R. 

The letter is Stuartisk to the backbone, the loyalty and losses of the she- 
riff's sons, which nearly occasioned the utter ruin of the family passed unre- 
warded amidst the crowd of suffering loyalists, and Murton seems to have 
been sold soon after the colonel's death. 

Mr. Bowes has also a handsome miniature set in gold of a Sir William 
who is said to have perished at Naseby. He is a puzzling personage, though 
doubtless some scion of the Murton race, for the sheriff, the only Sir William, 
died in 1641, at the very commencement of the civil broils, and his gallant 
son William, the receiver of the letter, lived till 1678. The case is inscribed 
on the back: — " dulce est pro rege et patria mori." Then the Bel- 
lasis arms (a chevion inter 3 fleurdelis) and their motto. " bon. et. belle. 
assez." Around: — Effigies Gul. Bellassis Eqs. Aur'ti qui tempore Car oil 
primi in Bellis Civilibs. Angl. fort iter cecidit." 

Alice, daughter of Robert Hylton, gent., named by Abraham Hilton, of Hilton, esq., 
as his niece, bur. 29 Nov., 1761, at Darlington, as " Alice Bellasis of Darlington, 
widow." Mar., first, Christopher Blacket, of Newham, co. Northd., gent, (son of 
John Blackett, of Hoppyland, esq.), who d. 13 Sep., 1712, ag. 27. M. I. Staindrop 
South aisle, by whom she had issue 

i. Charles, d. inf. 
ii. Another, d. inf. 

She mar., second, Francis Smart, of Snotterton, gent., bp., 29 July, 1684, bur. 22 July, 
1718, at Staindrop, and uncle to the upfortunate poet of the name, by whom she bore 

Elizabeth, bp. 29 Sep., 1716, at Staindrop, d. unm. 1776. 

And third, Thomas Bellasyse, of Haughton-le-Skerne, esq., who d. 27 Aug., 1751, hav- 
ing had issue 

Martha Maria Bellasyse, only surviving child of Alice Hylton, b. 8 March, 1721, 
bur. 14 July, 1767. Mar. Richard Bowes, esq., surgeon, Darlington, son of Richard 
Bowes, who formerly held the manors of Boythorpe and Bugthorpe in Yorkshire. He 
d. 1757, having had issue 

i. Charles, bp. 22 June, 1742, d. 12 July, 1746. 



BOWES OF DARLINGTON. lv 

II. THOMAS. 

in. Belasyse, l>p. 22 Mar., 1750, bur. 16 Mar., 1752. 

1. Maitha Timothea, bp. 23 Nov. 1743, mar. 15 Nov. 1767 (signing " Marthatymothea 

Bowes") to James Atkinson, lieutenant upon half-pay in the 51st regiment of 
foot, and then of Darlington, gent. 

2. Margaret, bp. 26 Apr., 1745, mar. 18 Sep., 1764, to William Turner, surgeon, Dar- 

lington. She was living a widow at Selby, Yks. 

3. Anii~, bp. 2.9 May, 1747, d. 14 Feb., 1749. 

4. Frances, bp. 22 Feb., 1748, mar. 19 May. 1771, to Thomas Meslen Brovme, of Selby, 

surgeon. 

Thomas Bowes, esq., an attorney, Darlington, bp. 15 Aug., 1753, bur. 16 Apr., 1806. 
Mar. Dorothy Stephenson, of Huntingdon, 8 Feb., 1776, at Darlington, and by her (who 
was bur. 23 Apr., 1812) had issue 

i. Thomas. 

ii. Richard, bp. 20 Aug., 1780, d. 3 Jan., 1781. 

in. William, op. 1789. 

1. Isabella, bp. 9 Apr., 1778, d. 1785. 

2. Martha Maria, bp. 1779, d. 26 July, 1797. 

3. Anne, bp. and bur. 1782. 

4. Mary Eleanor, bp. 11 Nov., 1784, mar. 1 Aug., 1804, James Agneiv, of Howledge, 

co. pal., esq., captain in 8th foot. 

5. Isabella, mar. the Rev. John Topham, of Droitwich. 

Thomas Bowes, esq., attorney at law, Darlington, and Borough Bailiff of that town 
1816—1846, bp. 23 Feb., 1777,' d. 3 Oct., 1846. At his^ funeral the shops were closed 
and a muffled peal was rung. Mar. Elizabeth, d. of David Craivfurd, of Howledge, co. 
pal. They had issue 

i. Thomas. 

ii. Richard, of Havre-de-Grace, b. 14 Mar., bp. 10 Apr., 1818, mar. Hester, second 

daughter of Mons. le Forestier. of Havre de Grace, 
in. Charles Belasvse, bp. 20 Nov.,' 1819, bur. 3 Mar., 1820. 
iv. Charles Belasyse (11.), bp. 18 Oct., 1820, bur. 7 Mar., 1821. 
v. George, b. 1 July, bp. 23 July, 1824. 

1. Dorothy. 

2. Catherine. 

3. Martha Maria, d. 27 Sep., 1829. 

4. Elizabeth, mar., July, 1840, John Hull Fell, esq., of Belmont, Uxbridge, co. 

Middlesex. 

Thomas Bowes, esq., attorney at law, Darlington, the present representative of the 
family, b. 14 Apr. bp. 8 May, 1813. 

*V* The dates are from Darlington. 

+4t 10 Oct., 1636. James Bellasses of Owton in the Countye Pallatyne of Durham 
Esquire of sound bodie — to be buried in the Parish Church of Stranton neare vnto my 
late wife Mary of famous memory deceased, and doe bequeath one hundred markes to be 
bestowed of a Tombe to be erected in the memory of her and me, and for the farther- 
ance hereof I desire that Isabell my now lovinge wife will joyne with us in that good 
worke and be an adiutant herein — xx" for a stocke for the poore of the parish of Stran- 
ton, — and for the true performance therof I desire the aide and assistance of my worthie 
trends as namely Mr. Fulthorpe, Mr. Dodsworth, Mr. Allen, and the rest of my good 
neighbors — (devise of burgage at Darnton to place w r orkemen for a Lyninge or a Wool- 
lenge trade as shalbe most needfull for the townes of Blackwell and Darnton and the 
countrey next adjoyninge) — And for the poore people of Blackwell my will is that fortye 
shillings in money shalbe distributed to the poorest sort of people in that towne as my 
faithful freind Mr. John Middleton and my honest ancient servant Thomas Wilkinson 
shall seecme most needfull ; and for the good and honest service made by my said servant 
Thomas Wilkinson I will and bequeath vnto him one cow to give him milke, one horse 
to ride on, and ten sheepe towards the cloathinge of him and his children, and fower 
pounds in money for a stocke — 405. towards the mendinge and repairinge of the high 
way leadinge from Whitland gate stead to the tow T ne of Darnton— 40s. for the mendinge 
of the highway betwixt Haughton and Darnton — 40s. for the mendinge and repairinge 
of Coxhy Bridge and the Causey thereunto adjoyninge desireinge Mr. William Kennett 
that he will see the same so performed and be an adjutant thereunto with his benevo- 
lence — With my lovinge remembrance unto my honorable Lord Faulconbridge wishinge 
all good blessings honor and happiness to him and his house, unto his hopefull sonne 
my nephew John Bellasses a geldinge to the value of tenn pounds which I desire may 
be as acceptably taken as it is thankfully given — My noble and much honored nephew 
Sir Conyers Darcy kt. and to his much honored and my most lovinge neece the Lady 
Dorothie Darcy his wife a gould ringe in remembrance of my love to her— god sonne 



Ivi FAMILY OF HYLTON. 

James Darcy — nephew Henry Darcey 10//. and all honor and happiness to him and all 
his familye — I also commend my best love and remembrance unto my nephew Thomas 
Harrison of the cittie of Yorke Esquire and to my neece his wife a gold ringe in remem- 
brance of my love to her — My nephew Sir Thomas Metham kt. one of my best browed 
mares with a loving remembrance unto my nephew Jordan Metham and to his eldest 
sonne to buy him bookes with all the summe of tenn pounds hopeinge he will prove a 
w T orthy and famous scholler — My nephew Sr. William Bellasses kt. one peace of plate 
left me by my uncle called the nutt which I desire may be an heireloome to his house — 
(devise of land in Howden and Black well to the same uses as his burgage in Darn ton) — 
in bounden thank efullnes of our worthie uncle of famous memory Richard Bellasis 
Esquire deceased and for a tombe to be erected in his memory in Houghton church I 
will and bequeath the summe of fortye markes so that my Lord Falconbridge and my 
said nephew S. William Bellasis they their heires and assignes doe joyne in this good 
worke for severill proportions in charges therof they havinge reseived so great meanes 
and bountie from him as well deserveth the same — with my love and dutie welbeloved 
mother in la we Mres Jane Chayter of Butterbey one of my best paiseing mares — with 
my loving remembrance unto the noble kt. Sr. Thomas Tempest of Stelley one ox — the 
Lady Troath Tempest his wife and my much esteemed mistris a gould ringe — my 
lovinge brother in la we Mr Nicholas Chayter one of my geldings — my best love and 
remembrance unto my loving brother in lawe Thomas Swinburne Esquire, unto him 
one of my best horses, and to my worthie and loving sister Jeronima his wife a gould 
ringe — my lovinge brother Mr. George Chayter a parte of my bookes with a great de- 
sire that he will read and make use of them — my God daughter Isabell Swinburne and 
Pretty John her brother either of them {blank)— my loving sister in lawe Mris. Marga- 
rett Chayter whose care and love in my health and sicknes I have much approved and 
one whom of her vertues is worthelye esteemed one hundred markes and three hundred 
pounds more which my mother standeth indebted unto my wife's porc'on which out of 
the true profession of her religion and for the payment of a due debt I hope she will 
thankfully pay being given for the preferment of her ownedeare daughter — And farther 
in testification of my thankefulnes unto Almightie God that hath given and indued me 
with many his blessings parte of which in thankefullness I ought to bestow on such 
of my servants and well-willers who in their love and service have beene obedient and 
deserved — first for my ancient servant Xpopher Leigh 10/. — my ancient servant John 
Emmerson two kuy'to the valewe of 71. and 51. in money — (four other legacies to ser- 
vants) — my honest servant Roberte Morton and for his faithfull service to me done one 
horse to ride on, one cow to give him milke, and five sheepe for cloathinge on him and 
205. in money or gold — to nowe Baliffe Wm. Thompson and to my clerke Wm. Killing- 
ton — maid Maudlin Fairlasse — my worthie and lovinge freind Mr. John Middleton 
whom I have alwayes found his love and freindship a free grant of what in me lyes of 
the farme in Skelton in Cleaveland, and a horse to the valew of 10/. or money — my old 
servant Richard Halleman 51. intreating him that he will be a faithfull servant to my 
wife in such occasions as she shall have neede to imploy him in — my ancient servant 
Anne Hull of Eassington 10/. and a cowe to give her milke — 40 labourers 20 men and 
20 women each of them 55. a peice to helpe to carry me to the church and buriall — 
executors Sr. Thomas Tempest Barronett and Tho. Swinburne Esquire ha veing in them 
a true afneance of their fidelitye faith and due respect to my wife and to perf orme the 
true respect of trust which I repose in them for her of whom I bestowe two of my best 
j 10rses — m y welbeloved Sr. Raiphe Conyers kt. and my faithfull freind Mr. John Mid- 
dleton supervisors — Subscribed 10 April 1637 — my said supervisor Sir Raiphe Conyers 
one of my brood mares — James Bellasses. 



3ftoi)son of Stapleton antr JBarlingtcin. 

(See p. xlvii) 

Ann Hewgill, of Smeaton, dau. of Wm. Hewgill, of Smeaton, esq., unm. in 1711 
when her father's will was made, interred in the Surtees' burial place at Haughton-le- 
Skerne, M. I. ; mar., first, Isaac Surtees, of Myers Flatt, par. Haughton, gent, (whose 
will is dated 15 Dec, 1711, proved at Durham 1712. " Isaac Suretes of Darlington," 
bur. 3 Jan., 1711-12, at Haughton- le-Skerne), by whom she had issue 

1. Jane Surtees, 2nd wife of Robert Hylton, esq., u Dr. Hylton," of Darlington: 

2. Margaret Surtees, wife of Abraham Hilton, esq., of Cockertou and Hilton ; a quo 

the Lees of Darlington. 



PEASE OF DARLINGTON. lvii 

And second, Ralph Robson, of Stapleton, by whom she had issue 

i. Ralph. 

ii. Henry Robson, mar Kelsoe, and had issue. 

1. Anne, d. unmar. 

Ralph Rohson, esq., an eminent attorney at law, Darlington, and a most zealous 
Borough Bailiff of that town from 1753 to 1774 ; d. 9 Mar., 1774, aged 59, and was bur. 
at Darlington. He kept a racing mare that once ran at Doncaster, and the Darlington 
folks were of course on the tiptoe of expectation. The first word received was that she 
was " a second," but the voice of Io triumphs was sadly toned down when a fuller in- 
telligence proved her to have been " the twenty-second." This mettled bailiff mar. 
Susannah Haigh, bur. 29 Aug., 1769, and had issue 

i. Ralph. 

it. James, bp. 1746, bur. 1748. 

in. Haigh Robson, of Darlington and Middleton, esq., attorney at law, b. 18 July, 
bp. 21 Aug., ] 752, mar. Eliz. Richardson, of Middleton , co. pal. He was a great 
hunter, and on one occasion, after a hard day's work, plunged all bespattered 
in most filthy wise into a company of worthless young fellows, who, not content 
with gambling all Shrove Tuesday evening, had ventured into the holy bounds of 
Lent, which was "enough," their ancient crone of a hostess exclaimed, " to bring 
the (Jeevil amang them." Immediately Nimrod entered, she turned as white as 
a sheet, and could only ejaculate in monosyllables, "Oh ! dear, dear ! I told 
you how it would be, I knew he would come." In Haigh Robson's time the 
heron was still considered game, and he was the primum mobile of great "heron 
sue feasts" at the Chopping knife (now the Cleaver) Inn, in Skinnergate, Dar- 
lington ; its hostess, Mrs. Tully, being the happy, and only person, that could 
please the palates of the connoiseurs of heron meat to a hair. 

iv. James, bp. 26 July, 1754. 
v. Francis, bp. 23 July, 1758. 

1. Susannah, bp. 3 Feb., 1743-4, bur. 1749. 

2. Anne, " a most accomplished young lady with a large fortune," bp. 20 Jan., 1747-8, 

mar. 4 Aug., 1772, the Rev. Wm. Addison, rector of Dinsdale, and was mother to 
Robert Addison, esq., of Heighington, and Joseph Addison, esq., the eminent 
barrister at law. 

3. Mary, bp. 18 Aug., 1749, mar. 3 Nov., 1767, Wm. Dent of Darlington, grocer. 

4. Martha, bp. 8 Feb., 1750, mar. 9 June, 1773, the Rev. Jos. Watkins, M.A., sub- 

curate of Darlington. 

5. Susanna, bp. 15 June, 1755, d. unmar. 1774. 

Lieut. Ralph Robson, of the 23rd reg., bp. 5 Mar., 1741-2, bur. 22 July, 1766, mar. 
at Whitby, Isabel, dau. of John Pease of that town, grocer (see that pedigree), and had 
issue an only and posthumous child 

Susannah Robson, b. 14 Sep., 1766, mar. Wm. Harle Nichols, esq., surgeon ; of 
Whitby, and died at Darlington, 1850. s. p. 



3?ease of 2l2Ki)itt»j> anU Darlmgtmt. 

John Ppase, owned a goodly family bible set with bosses, &c. '" This Booke Bought 
att Rott r dam p' me Jno. Pease in West Auckland Octob r 1700 p' Edw rd Ward." d. 22 
bur. 24 Feb. ("Shrove Sunday"), 1722-3, aged 52 on 9 Jan., 1703-4, mar., on 6 Aug., 
1691, Mary d. Wm. Ward, who d. 14 June, " aboute y e same hour she was delive'd y e 
Thursday sennet before," (i.e. six in the evening), by whom he had issue 

i. " A Sonne whoe was Borne a Liue butt dyed imediately being nott at full Time." 
ii. John. 

1. Margarett,b. 14, christ. 26 Oct., 1693, d. 17, bur. 19 Feb., 1727-8, at Thornaby 
Chapel, nigh Stockton, mar. 11 May, 1727, Iohn Bennet. 

And second on the 31 Aug., 1698, Dorothy d. John Ward, b. 31 Mar., 1661, ag. 43, d. 
14 May, 1731, by whom he had issue 

i. William, b. 3 Aug., 1705, "Witnesses, Mr. Abraham Hilton, and Madam Rich- 
mond." 

1. Susanna, b. 29 Oct., christ. 17 Nov., 1700, d. 6 June, 1710. 

2. Priscilla, b. 14 Apr., bp, 12 May, 1702. 

3b 



lviii FAMILY OF HYLTON. 

John Pease, of Whitby, b. 4, bp. 13 June, 1696, " Witness Sir Robert Eden, Esqr. 
Whitfeild and Madam Rea," a grocer at Whitby, d. 7 July, 1770, ag. 74, having had 
21 children born alive, though only 17 are mentioned in "the Bible. Mar. on 31 July, 
1726, Elizabeth Bateman d. Robert and Margaret Bateman b. 7 Nov., 1703, mar. at Lyth 
church by her uncle Ralph Bateman, d. 25 Feb., 1782, aged 78. She had a brother 
John, b. 27 July. 1706, and sister Margaret, b. 18 Feb., 1702. They had issue 

i. John. 

ii. Robert, b. 9 Aug., 1728, lived three hours, n being not at full time," but was bp. 

iir . William, b. 13, d. 15 May, 1729, " not at full time," was bap. 

iv. Ralph, b. 23 Feb., 1729-30, lived about two hours," not at full time," was bp. 

v. Robert, b. 29 Oct., 1732, lived twenty-four hours, bur. 1 Nov. 

Vi. Edward, b. 25 May, 1737, bur. 8 June f olio wins . 

vii. George, b. 10 Mar., 1740-1, certif. at Whitby 8 Apr., 1741, d. 10 March following. 

vin. William, b. 2 June, certif. at Whitby church, 1 July, 1742, d. young 

ix. Robert, b. in Dec, 1 744, certif. at Whitby church, 25 Jan., " brother John Ben- 
net, sister Margt. Bateman," sponsors, d. of small pox 12, bur. 14 Apr., 1747. 

x. James Pease, b. 23 Apr., certd. in Whitby church . . . . d. unmar., aged 32. 

xi. Bristowe Pease, b. 14 Aug., 1748, certified in Whitby ch. 18 Oct., " Mr. Richard 
Bristowe" a godfather: d. 18, bur. 22 Jan., 1824, in Darlington church, aged 75. 
He was a merchant at Darlington. Mar. 12 Dec, 1770, /Susannah, d. of James 
Allan, of Darlington and Blackwell Grange, esq., b. 27 Nov., 1751, bp. 9 Jan., 
1752, d. 29 Sep., bur. as of Hungate, 2 Oct., 1814, in Darlington church, aged 62. 
They had issue 

1. Elizabeth Pease, d. 1837, mar. 13 Nov., 1793, at Darlington, Moses Harrison, raff- 

merchant, Darlington. Wit. to mar., Bristowe Pease, Catherine Pease, Dorothy Allan, 
and Margaret Pease. 

2. Catheiine, b. 1 Mar., 1773, of Darlington, d. nnm. 2 Aug., 1848, aged 75. Bur. Trinity. 

3. Margaret, d. young. 

4. Isabella, bur. 22 Aug., 1792, at Darlington. 

T. Mary, b. 28 July, 1731, certified at Whitby church 8 Sep., d. 8, bur. 11 Feb., 1731. 

2. Elizabeth, b. 30 Oct., 1733, certified at Whitby church 4 Dec, d. 19 June, 1737, of 

small pox. 

3. Mary, b. 6 Dec, 1735, certified in Whitby church, 11 Jan., d. 19 June, 1737, of 

small pox, and was bur. in the same coffin with her sister Eliz. 

4. Margaret, b. 21 Sep., bp. 6 Oct., 1738, d. of small pox 15, bur. 17 Apr., 1747. 

5. Isabella, b. 24 Feb., 1739-40, certified in Whitby church 8 Apr., d. 10 Nov., 1811. 

Mar., first, at Whitby, Lieutenant Ralph Robson (see foregoing pedigree), and 
second James Benson, of Aislaby, co. paL, by whom she had issue 

I. James Benson, d. inf. 

II. John Benson, esq-, b. 7 Dec, 1780, of Seaton, 1848: mar., Isabella Breicster, dau. of Thos. 

B. of Newcastle, the brother of the fctockton historian. 
1. Grace, b. 21 July, 1777, liv. at York 1848. mar. Marmaduke Nelson, of Brantingham, near 
Hull. Their only child, Ann, mar. William Richardson, esq., solicitor, York. 

6. Dorothea, b. 19 Nov., 1743, certified 18 Jan.,d. 5, bur. 7 Feb. following at Whitby. 

John Pease, b. 13 May, bap. 11 June, 1727, at Whitby, settled at Darlington as 
grocer, d. 29, bur. 31 Dec, 1794, at Kirby Ravensworth. — " 1758, William Robson, 
senior, of Darlington, bricklayer, George Waters, of Darlington, carpenter, both kill'd 
by the fall of an arch in building a cellar for Mr. John Pease." — Darlington Reg. 

About 1760 he bought the whole courtyard and premises formerly the burgage called 
le Bull, at one side of the Bull Wynd, and adorned with the Bulmer crest, down to 
Hungate, and brought the purchase money, 400 guineas, on a pillion from Whitby. 
The venerable gentleman who furnished this interesting information, has also been told 
of an heiress's fortune, 10,000^., being brought, a short time before, from Hull to Whitby 
in a waggon heaped over with straw, accompanied by two stout fellows at the side, who 
were accoutred with flails, and pretended that they had been thrashing. Mar. 29 Dec, 
1757, at Darlington, by lie. Hannah Haigh, who d., 10 Jan., 1766, bur. at Darlington. 
Witnesses to mar., Ra. Robson, Isabella Pease, Mary Hilton. They had issue 

I, John Pease, b. 20 Feb., 1760, left England in 1785, and has not since been heard 

of, but is believed to have died in the East Indies. 
ii. James, b. between 1761 and 1765, d. when a fortnight old. 

1. Elizabeth, b. 19 Nov., 1758, d. 1844, mar. 21 Feb., 1797, Cornelius Stovin, of Hirst 

Priory, Lincolnshire, who d. before 1848. Their only child, Cornelius Hartshorne 
Stovin, d. May, 1845. 

2. Hannah, b. 14 Mar., 1761, d. 25 Sep., 1799, bur. at Warmsworth in the Friends' 

burying ground. 

3. Mary Pease, b. 10 Mar., 1765, d. unm. at Darlington, 7 Apr., 1848, intestate, aged 

83, bur. Trinity, M. I. 



III. CLERVAUX. 



At every step the genealogist meets with lessons the most mortifying to his 
own fancied security, and humiliating to the pride of man in general. If 
there is one instance more to the very point than another, the family of 
Olervaux presents it. The race for generations slept in happy ignorance of 
the real glories of their ancestors ; heralds contented themselves with a tall, 
worm-like, miserable adumbration to a pedigree, in which a long file of misty 
warriors peeped from the gossamer webs of fraud in which the heralds had 
enveloped it. Yet the Clervaux gave the most extended and knightly state 
of any of the families on the Tees. Surtees, and Baliol, Aslakby, and Con- 
yers, after a brilliant but transient succession of important representatives, 
departed like the thin shades of morning ; but from the time of Henry III. 
to the present day the heritage of Croft has passed in only two names, and 
in but one blood. 

It has been my privilege, and I feel it to be a proud one, to be the first 
man who has dared to sweep away the brilliant but false covering from the 
history of Clervaux. If I have knocked off two centuries from the dull list of 
dateless names, I have, I trust, given an interest of a more abiding and of a 
much more important character to the subject. It has been my luck to be 
favoured with a lengthened use of a fine cartulary, containing copies oi 
every document in existence at the period of Henry VI. which referred to 
the title of the widened estates of Clervaux at that time :* and by the aid of 
the splendid array of evidences contained in that beautiful volume, and 
a huge selection of other family records, the wretched skeleton is now being 
clothed with healthy sinews. 

The Clervaux cartulary measures 12 by 15 inches, contains one hundred 
and sixty-six leaves closely written on both sides, and comprises fair copies ■ 
of no less than nine hundred and forty-nine documents, arranged under the 
several estates to which they refer. The marriage feoffments and wills are 
principally kept together, and at the end of the book are various instruments 
referring to Richard Clervaux, who lived in the troublous days of the Rosy 
wars, but nevertheless found time to look after its compilation, f 

A fine illuminated pedigree, drawn up in the time of Elizabeth, and the 
generally received genealogies, commence the line with " Sir Hannnon Cler- 
vaux came into England with William the Conqueror, who gave him cer- 
taine landes without Bothome juxta Yorke." All ancient families commence 
in a sort of mythic state, and though it would be absurd to fight against the 

* I have never made my acknowledgments of aid with greater pleasure than when I 
return my most sincere thanks to Henry Chaytor, Esq., of Croft, for the constant kindness 
and courtesy I have experienced at his hands, during my prolonged researches in re 
(Jlervawc. 

+ The book has been written before binding, and the leaves are signed with letters and 
figures at the foot in octavo divisions, as in a printed book. 



ix 



FAMILY OF CLERVAUX. 



very name (both Clerewaus and Chayters occurring in the roll of Battle 
Abbey) and deny that a Olerevaux did arrive from Normandy and maintain 
his foreign surname through several generations, till his descendants in the 
time of Henry III, by their riches, acquired broad lands on the Tees ;* yet, 
it would be equally wrong to attribute any more weight to the airy knights 
of Croft, than as a very misty adumbration to the truth.f Like many 
other most ancient families who doted upon a descent from Brutus of Troy, 
the Clervaux, who bore the blood of Alfred, Charlemagne, and William the 
Lion, little needed any assistance not strictly verified. 

Robert de Clervaux (son of Eobert) the first man on record in the 
cartulary, was a rich citizen of York, and though his fathers are unknown, 
they had probably been no mean carles, for when Sir Thomas releases to his 
brother Peter all the lands and rents (in York) which his father Robert had 
left him by will, he adds, " which legacies the said Robert had of hereditary 
right or by his own industry acquired to himself." No title is shown to cer- 
tain parcels held in York ; but they were not in Bootham, where the family 
had no property. The money of Robert reared the family on a most substantial 
basis. He advanced thirty marks to Roald son of Roald son of Alan the 
Constable of Richmond, " in his great necessity," and forty marks to his 
brother Henry, son of Roald, in the same strait. Roald had the whole vill 
of Croft in grant from his father Roald. j The wealthy citizen soon bought 

* The saltire of Clervaux occurs among the banners held behind Alan Rufus on his re- 
ceiving the grant of the Honor of Richmond from the Conqueror, in a MS. illustration to 
Coll. MSS. Faustina, B. 7. The scribe gave arms to the companions of Earl Alan as they 
occurred long after in the subfeudatories of Richmond, and see the pedigree as to whether 
the saltire was not a coat attached to Cowton estate. 

+ The descent may properly be given as a note. 

Sir Hammon Clervaux, &c, (Arms, Sable, a Saltire or) had issue 

Albon Clervaux, m d. Sir Lambert Bashee (Arms, Argent, 3 bars Sable) and had 

issue 

Jordeyne Clervaux, m. Ancareta d. Lord Nevell of Horneby in the countie of Lancaster 
(Arms, Argent, a saltire gules), and had issue 

John Clervaux of Croft esquier, m- Oswolda d. Sir Adam Bruce (Arms, Gules a saltire 
or, a chief divided per fess dancette gules and or,), and had issue 

Thomas Clervaux of Croft esquier, m. Tymothee d. John Gascoigne, esq. (Arms, Argent 
on a pale sable, a demi lucy erect, couped, or,), and had issue 

Robert Clervaux of Croft esquier, m. Anne d. Edward Anlatheby, esquier (Arms, Argent, 
three chess-rooks sable), and had issue 

Sir John Clervaux of Croft, knt., m. Herodea d. Lorde Marmean (Arms, Vaire, a fess 
gules), and had issue 

Henrie Clervaux esquier, m. Johnathey d. John Nesome, esquier (Arms, Barry of eight, 
ermine and sable), and had issue 

s Robert Clervaux of Croft [with whom the proven pedigree begins, and who was in truth 
the son of another Robert] ; John and William, who both d. s. p. 

So far the illuminated pedigree. From Robert any errors are of small extent, and 
will be pointed out in the pedigree hereafter. 

$ Omnibus, &c. Roaldus filius Alani Constablar' Richem'd, salutem. Sciatis me dedisse 
et concessisse, et hanc presenti carta mea confirmasse, Roaldo filio meo, pro humagio et 
servicio suo quod mei fecit, totam villam de Croft, cum omnibus pertmenciis suis, infra 
villa et extra, sine ullo retinemento. Habenda et tenenda predicto Roaldo et heredibus 
suis, de me et heredibus meis, in feodo et hereditate, libere et quiete et honorifice, faciendo 
mei, et heredibus meis, forinsecum servicium quantum pertinet ad octo carukatas terre in 
feodo, unde duodecim carukate terre faciunt feodum unius militis. Ego vero et hercdes 
mei warantizabimus, &c. 

In 1260 Sir Roald, son of Roald, with Dame Matilda de Marra his wife, granted the whole 
vill of Croft to Roald, son of Alan his nephew, and mentions among the tenants, Thomas 
de Clervaux for a tenement and two mills and two holmes. 

In 1255 John de Clerewaus having been impleaded by Sir Groceline Daulle and Sarra 
his wife, the widow of Roald son of Alan, for her thirds of his property, had brought for- 
ward Roald son of Roald, who warranted, and the inquisition was expunged. 

It will be useless to note all the small buyings up by the Clervaux family in snccessive 
generations. There are no very peculiar tenures. The rent of a rose was always to be 
paid " in the time of roses." But the strong dislike of the early owners to part absolutely 
with their small patches of cultivated ground is striking. They almost always reserve a 



THEIR SETTLEMENT AT CROFT. Ixi 

up from him a firm holding in the place. First went the " ploghswayn ox- 
qanges" the toft and croft Helle, and many an oxgang more (in all thirteen, 
with tofts and crofts) — then all the mills of Croft, a splendid acquisition in 
those days, with the holms of that vill, and all that meadow between the 
meadow which was John's the son of the dean, and the wath of Stapylton — 
forty-two oxgangs more and thirty-one acres ad incrementum — confirmation 
of all these at rent of J 8d, after the kind payment of the thirty marks — 
licence to impark his animals — small properties at Helmekeldenge and near 
Olowbec, and beginning at Stapilton Wahde — and leave to pasture twenty- 
six cattle in his cultured demesnes. Then, to keep him in good humour, 
Clervaux gives Eoald an easement for his demesne animals, with his own, in 
the holmes he had acquired, as long as his father Sir Roald lived ; and Roald 
the "son, in 1246, obliges himself to grind the winter corn consumed in his 
household, to the thirtieth bowl (vas), and his malt without multure at Croft 
mill, but would take none belonging to the men or tenants of Clervaux. All 
Eoald's grants were confirmed by his brothel' Henry, who for the forty marks 
above mentioned, granted two oxgangs, &c. The father of these young men, 
Roald son of Alan the Constable, confirmed the seventeen and a-half ox- 
gangs and thirty-one acres, and eight acres of meadow, and all mills, and 
suits of the same vill of Croft, which his son Roald had given.* 

In York he was acquiring property the same way. He gave John God- 
shere, of Tresk, money " in his great necessity," and received a rent of 2s. 
out of property in marisco. He also acquired land from Hugh Scyrloc, of 
Croft, and his son John, 1242, for money so paid to the latter, and was a 
grantor of part of "la grene extra muros juxta Mykkelgate," in York, to 
Henry de sexdecim xallibus or Sessewaus, another citizen of that city. 

His widow Eve granted property in Aldwerk, York, to a carpenter his 
heirs and assigns, except religious men and Jews, at the rent of 4s., in default 
of payment, to revert ; and if after building any erections thereon he wished 
to sell, he was not to remove them ; and the same caution against religious 
men and Jews occurs in another of her grants. But she gave property in 
la grene to her son Master Simon for life, and then to John his brother on 
his making yearly two commemorations of the faithful, and paying certain 
sums, and allowing certain pasturage to four houses of Friars, -f* and one 
" pitauncc" of 5s. to the Monks of St. Clement for the soul of her mother 
and predecessors. Unfortunately the Fairfax family claimed and recovered 
the land from Master Simon, yet they settled it on the donor's grandson 
William, on his marriage with a Stodelay, of York. Simon still however 
held some other York property of his mother's gift, which he granted to his 
nephew William, to make the same alms to the friars preachers and 
minors, as he had made. He was rector of Lithe and official of Cleveland.! 

rent of some kind ; often a rose was to be paid for so many years, and then a heavier class 
of payments commence. We find at Croft, " le Breeches," Gyllesikesmarch, the wayne- 
brigge, Askhouwe (a draconic hill we fear), Cranberymyre, le brynepole, Barton dikes, 
Brakenberysik, Hemyngcrosse, le Harestane, Askowker, and Hammondebuttes. Often a 
grantee had to have the alienated lands for life at a small rent. 

* " Quieta et libera ab ommodis forinsecis serviciis et sectis curie mee." 

Another confirmation occurs of 13 oxgangs " which I gave to Roald my son for the an- 
nual rent of 13Z. received every year from the vill of Taneshoner." 

+ Fratres minores Ebor'— fratres predicatores— fratres de Monte Carmeli— fratres de 
sacas. 

t Rot. Hund. 1274-5. Radclyffe's ped. in Whitaker's Richmondshire from the Heralds' 
Records makes this pious parson marry, and have two sons William and Henry ! 6 Kal. 
Apr., 1301, Henry, abbot, and the convent of Ryevalle in public chapter— established 
three monks of their house to celebrate three masses for ever for the health and prosperity 



kii FAMILY OF CLERVAUX. 

The citizens son was a knight. Sir Thomas de Clervaux acquired 
from the Gobyuns (whose proved descents in the pedigree will be a servicea- 
ble addition to Hodgson's Northumberland, ii, 452) the rent of 10/. reserved 
from lands in Yedingham to the monastery at which place the lands had 
been granted.* This rent he granted to his brother Simon the ecclesiastic and 
his heirs in descendendo, and assigns, to sustain for ever one chaplain in York 
to celebrate mass for the souls of Robert de Clerwaus, and Eve his mother, 
and all the faithful, in the church of All Saints in Usegate, at the altar ot 
Blessed Peter the apostle ; and offer every year on the vigils of the assumption of 
Blessed Virgin Mary, one wax candle weighing one pound, before the greater 
altar in the church of Yedingham ; and in default to pay five marks farm to 
himself and heirs. Simon, in 1295, granted the rent on the same trusts, and 
reserving a rent of 100s. to himself for life, to his nephew William, who in 
1324 granted half of it to the Prioress and convent of nuns of Yedyngham. 
He had a house in Husegate, York, on the stone wall of which he gave leave 
to Sir Thomas Baudewyn, knt., to establish a shed (pentiem) ultra cellarium 
dicti Dni Thome Baudewyn, but not to make a claim, and also a stone 
" place" in the marshy in St. Saviourgate, which is long mentioned by his 
brother John's descendants. He acquired property in Jolby from Henry de 
Joleby, and held it by the rent of a pair of white gloves. 
. His brother, John de Clervaux, citizen of York, had obtained from 
him a grant of Croft ; and Roald, son of Roald, confirmed to him 18 
oxgangs, and all that Robert his father had of his gift. Roald son of Alan 
de Rychmund, also confirmed the grants of Roald son of Roald, his uncle, 
and gave leave that he might enclose nine acres in his own proper land 
wherever he liked, with a wall or dike (fossato). This Roald also confirmed 
lands in Jolby, which John de Clervaux had acquired, and gave another 
toft in exchange for Helle. John bought a number of other small parcels at 
Croft ; amongst others from Brother Thomas, Abbot of Jorevall and his 
convent in 1259, property they had of the gift of Roald son of Alan, in 
perpetual lease of 24s, which was reduced to 4s, by Clervaux giving 20s, 
yearly in elymosina. He resided at Stiveton, York and Croft, and died 

of life of their beloved in Christ Master Simon de Clervaux, rector of Lith church from that 
date, at three altars in their church, viz., at the altar of S. Matthew where a mass of the 
Blessed Virgin is celebrated, the altar of S. Martin the bishop, where one for all the faithful 
departed is daily celebrated, and at the altar of the blessed Thomas the martyr a mass. So 
that the three monks at the three altars while Master Simon lived should say a collect for 
his special health, viz., Deus qui caritatis dona, cfcc, in a convenient place, and at a mass 
at St. Martin's altar aforesaid to be daily celebrated for the health of the soul of Sir Thomas 
de Clervaux his brother, a special collect in like manner daily should be said, viz., Deus 
cuip'pHu est, &c, in the second place or other convenient place; but when Master Simon, 
whose prosperous life might the Highest prolong, should die, at the three masses celebrated 
at the three altars a collect, viz., Deus cui p'p'iu est for the health of both of the souls 
aforesaid. 

* Sir Hugh Gubyun, knt., son of Ric. Gubyun, for the health of my soul ; and the souls 
of Roger de Merlay my uncle, Wm. de Merlay his brother, Richard Gubyun my brother, 
and the souls of my ancestors — to God and the church of Blessed Mary of Yedingham and 
the nuns there serving God, all my land in Yedingham — which I held of Roger de Merlay 
— rendering yearly to me and my heirs 10£. for all service, &c. — the said monks shall find 
one priest to celebrate the mass of the Blessed Virgin in the monastery of Yedingham 
every day for ever, as it may most conveniently be done according to the use of the said 
house for the health of the said souls— if mass be not said, during cessation the nuns to pay 
five marks to my heirs — and when my heirs are in ward to pay to my lord Roger de 
Merlay and his heirs. This would be Roger de Merlay the 3rd, lord of Morpeth. 

f Or rather " in vico de Mersk", where Tho. de Stodleye had a grant to enclose a waste 
piece called Dinnyngdyk for the enlargement of his mansion, in 31 Edw. I., but not to 
the nuisance of Wm. de Claris Vallibus, who had a right of road over it, but who consented 
to the grant. The Stodelay property lay between Clervaux's house and the cemetry of St. 
Saviour in Marisco, and was granted to Clervause and his wife Margaret Stodelay. 



CLERVAUX OF YORK. lxijl 

about 1283.* His wife Matilda lived till 1297.f His brother, Sir 
Nicholas, a citizen of York, when returning a rent out of Croft to Sir 
Thomas his eldest brother the grantor, " because his seal was not well 
known, procured the seal of the Prior of Kyrkeham to be affixed" to the 
instrument.]: Nicholas was, I believe, the ancestor of a race of wealthy 
tradesmen at York.§ 

William de Clervaux, the next owner of Croft, followed his grand- 
father's example and by giving Alexander Scyrloc and his wife Alice, the 
successors of his ancestor's victims, money " in their great necessity/' 

* In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Amen. I, John de Clarevans, sick 
in body and sound in mind, on Monday, next after the feast of St. Martin, in winter, a.d„ 
1283 — my body to ecclesiastical burial in the cemetery of the church of All Saints, in 
Usegate, if I* die at York or Stivetnn, but if at Croft, then to be buried there — all my 
movable goods to be divided in three equal parts, one part in (sic) another part to Matilda 
my wife, and a third part to my legitimate children; except my heir, whom 1 wish to be 
content with his heritage in immovables; and except Katherine my daughter, who 
sufficiently received her part in my lifetime and to the full — to the Church of St. Saviour 
in marisco at York, one mark in place of a mortuary— to the Church of All Saints in 
Usegate at York 10s — to the expenses of my funeral, 10 marks — to the Friars preachers of 
York, one mark — the Friars minor of York, one mark — the Friars of the Order of St. 
Augustine and of Mount Carmel, and the Friars of the sack, one mark— the Nuns of 
Muncketunn, one mark — every recluse of York 12d— wife Matilda all house utensils in 
cups whatsoever, silver spoons, gold rings, firmacles, brasen vessels, skins, vats, tubs, 
leads, and in all manner of household stuff— whatever shall remain in my house after 
the day of my burial in flesh, fish, fuel, and all belonging to the provision of the house 
shall wholly and peaceably belong to my wife and children — Thomas, my servant, half a 
mark, &c — to every servant of mine not named, 6d — three marks of silver to buy linen 
and woollen, and shoes, to be distributed among the poor of Stivetnn and Croft, by the 
counsel and advice of my wife — my wife may have my stone house in marisco at York, 
which I gave her at the door of the church in dowry with her thirds. In witness, &c, 
my executors have placed their seals with my seal hanging and placed above. Given 
at Stivetun. (Firmacles were brooches or fibula}.) 

f Matilda de Clerevaus — Sunday on the feast of the Holy Innocents; a.d. 1297, before 
William and John, my sons, and Roger de Cunesclif, this hearing and seeing — to be buried 
in the church of blessed Peter of Croft, and with my corpse my best beast — for wax and 
the exequies about my body on the day of my burial, 3 marks — to the church of St. 
Saviour in merske at York half a mark — the Friars preachers of Yarm, 4 marks — Adam 
de Beleassis, 2s — Elizabeth and Matilda, daughters of Peter de la Haye, each a mark — son 
Thomas, one silver cup and a gilt piece of 3^ marks— son William, one silver cup and a 
gilt piece of 30s, and a white cup of maser (macereum)-*' son John a silver cup, and a gilt 
piece of 30s — daughter Matilda, one cup with a foot of silver, and a gilt piece of 20s, and one 
zone of silk, and a maser cup — my (sic) Cicily one cup and one zone of silk — Matilda 
Rose, one cow — to this testament 1 have placed my seal along with the seals of my ex- 
ecutors. Proved at Gilling before our official of Richmond, ij. id. Febri. 1297. 

£ Helwis, wife of Nicholas Clervaus, on Monday after the feast of St. Martin, 1282: to be 
buried in the cemetery of St. Denis — for my corpse-present my cloke de marlet — Elen, my 
daughter, my robe of green and ray cloke de murret, my robe de mearlet — Alice, daughter 
of Cecily Nayrum, one supertunic de murref— Alice de Mikelegate one cloke of green — 
Elen de Hoser, my cape de p'so — Sibilla de Holthe, my supertunic of scarlet — maVc^ mee 
Agneti, my supertunic of red and tunic de murreV— p 'cose churMll my cloke de plu'bef — 
Agnes de Acaster my cloke of scarlet — Enota, my servant, ray supertunic of green— Elen 
Darel, a supertunic de murret, and my tunic de viridi havice — to the son of Paulmer the 
goldsmith, a supertunic of red — to the wife of Paulmer the goldsmith, my cloke de BurneV — 
Matilda de Houedonschir, my tunic of saye — sister Elen unum tressur' — daughter Elen, all 
my linen cloths, one gold firmacle — son Peter, 20 gold rings. Executors, Sir Nich. 
Clervaus, my husband, Thomas de Seleby, ray brother. 

§ John Clervaux, citizen of York, 13 Apr. 1344 — to be buried in the church of All Saints, 
in Ousegate, York, and with my corpse my better robe in the name of a mortuary — for 
wax to be burned round my body at the time of my exequies, 20 lb. of wax — son John, my 

E Salter, with my greatest gold ring, with one better silver foot — wife Agnes, one other 
ssser silver foot with a cup thereto annexed — son John, one silver cup— son, my better 
gold firmacle — wife Agnes, my other gold firmacle — to be expended about my funeral, 40s. 

Sunday, before Palm Sunday (diem d'nicam Ramis Palmarum) 1357. John Clervaux, 
citizen and apothecary of York — to be buried in the cemetery of the church of All Saints', 
on the Pavement at York, near the monuments of my parents — to the Rector of the church 
of Saint Crux, at Fossegate ende, for my mortuary my better robe — for my forgotten 
tithes, 2s— in wax to be burned round my body the day of my burial 8 lbs- of wax — the 
chaplain of the parish of St. Crux aforesaid, I8rf — the clerk of the same parish, 12c?— the 
sub-clerk of the same, 4r/ — for the expenses of my funeral to be made the day of my burial, 
4 pounds of silver. 



Ixiv FAMILY OF CLERVAUX. 

acquired their property with that of many others, and obtained power from 
Luke Tylbys (Tailbois) knt. and Robert, son of Robert de Hephale, the 
possessors of the lordship of Hurworth, to fix the pond of a water-mill in 
the water of These, upon their waste of Hurthwith ; and Richard de 
Havigdone Vicar of Derlington, William son of Peter, and John Bruis of 
Derlington, were bound to him in 8 marks for a fourth of the tithe of 
sheaves of Blacwelle, for the year 1321, to be paid to him at Derlington. 
He acquired the manor of East or Temple Couton by mortgage for ?>M. 
soon followed by a full grant from John Fyton its lord in 1324,* 
properties in York in the same way, the mortgage monies having to be paid 
on St. John Baptist's and St. Andrew's days, in the greater church of St. 
Peter at York, and other property at Stapilton,f and (with his sister 
Matilda) the lordship of Walmire in 1322, by mortgage and subsequent 
release from John le Breton, son and heir of Sir Philip le Breton, and 
from other parties ; also property at Hurworth, in 1324, by mortgage and 
release from John de Kendal, servant of the Rector of Hurthe worth, J and 
the same year by the same means, property in Solbergh,§ pledged for 12/. 
from Hugh Breton, and in Thirnetoft from the early Bowes's, whose names 
from the cartulary will be a valuable prefix to Surtees's pedigree of 
Bowes of Streatlam.|| He gave to the Prioress and Nuns of Yedyngham 

* Long after this, the 15 Juyn, 3 Edw. IV. Richard Clervaux of Croft, squier, and 
Thomas Fyton of Cawrwyn, co. Chestr., gentilman, met at the seat of the former's father- 
in-law, Sir James Strangwayes, to adjust a long variance about 100s rent Fyton claimed 
out of the manors of Croft and Est Cowton, which Clervaux "denyed to pay by cause of 
certeyn evydence that he had a writeng under old seles which he thought was sufficient in 
the lawe to discharge hyin ." The rent was bought out for 40Z. There certainly is no 
reservation of the rent in the Fyton grants, but an inquisition in 1344 found John and 

Isabella Clervaux to hold the manor of Temple Couton, charged with rent to the 

Fyton heir. It was, 1 believe, in right of Cowton, that the banner of Clervaux waved on 
the quondam station of Conan son of Elias, at Richmond Castle, near the court of the 
tower on the east side, at the outside of the wall. Robertus Clarevaux tenet in Athow 
Cowton aliter East Coulton duas partes decimarum de Dominicis quondam Wymari Dapi- 
feri,— Gale. Wardse Castri Richmund Temp. Ric. II. De Conano filio Eliaa pro i feodo in 
magna Cowton red. pro ward. dim. marc .Johannes Clerevaux modo tenet. 

f In the documents relating to Stapleton, we have " Stephen, called Milesman, of 
Stapeltone," 1315, and his widow Alice, formerly wife of Stephen Milisman of Stapelton, 
and elsewhere, plainly out — " of Stephen the servant of Sir Miles de Stapilton, knt." We 
find the knights of Stapylton then still holding property at their ancient home. There is 
mention Sir Miles, and Sir Nicholas Stapylton, knt. his b. and h. (1322 and 1342). And 
now, as to names, in the Clervaux evidences of Walmegate property in York, we have an 
ecclesiastic significantly named "William called Fox, clerk, of York," and afterwards 
plain " William Fox." 

J Inter alia, a rood at the cross of Nesham (probably the boundary between Nesham 
and Hurworth townships) Anneysheng, &c. The latter under the name of Dameagncy- 
sheng, with other lands, had been granted to Kendal by Richard son Geoffrey de Nesham , 
(Wm. Taylboys a bounding owner) and grants from Adam, son of Thomas de Nesham also 
occur to him. 

§ Juxta Warlaby in Richemondshire. 

|| Villa de Tirnetofte [par. Ainderby Steeple]. Thomas Baingnard of Tirntoft to Adam 
de Puntayse and Avice ux. all his land there" for twenty years. — Adam de Puntayce to 
Gerard de Boghes, the oxgangs and 3 tofts there he bought of one Henry — Adam, son of 
Gerard de Boughes, remaining in Maugneby, to Nicholas, son of Stephen de Boughes, 
my late brother, all his lands in Maugneby, Kirkeby Wysk, and Thyrnetoft — Nicholas, 
son of Stephen de Boughes to Adam de Boughes his uncle remaining in Maugneby, 
a rent of 38s out of his lands at those three places— Same Nicholas to Robert de Boughes 
his brother, all his lands in the same places he had had of the grant of his uncle — Robert 
de Boughes to William de Clervanx; if said Clervaux should pay to Bowes 6 marks die 
sabati prius quindenam sci Hylarii at Rychemund, in the church of Holy Trinity, 1323, 
two oxgangs and 4 tofts and crofts in Thirnetoft should remain to said Clervaux; if he 
failed they should not; and if Bowes paid to Clervaux 6 marks on the said day and 
place, the feoffment and seisin should be void. Here was a mortgage in anticipation 
of a regular purchase, a way William Clervaux was much addicted to. — Same to same: 
the property in Thirnetoft he had from his brother Nicholas, in consummation of the last 
document. With regard to Trayne, of Streatlam, who married an heiress of Ralph De la 
Haye, of Stainton, to whose relation Peter del Haye, her husband John Trayne granted 



CLEHVAUX OF CROFT. l xv 

in that lucky year half the rent of 10/. they paid him under the Gobyim 
grant.* 

This William had two sons of the name of John, one of whom, senior, 
(u) he who succeeded to Croft, was one of the knights or esquires of the 
North Riding from whom twenty men at arms were to be chosen against 
Scotland*)* in 1338. He was probably trammelled by serving in the wars of 
the time, as we find him mortgaging to Sir Michael de la Pole, knt., at 
Colthorp, in 1368, the Solbergh lands his father had obtained by lending, 
until he should pay 20/. The property passed by grant to his younger son 
Thomas for life and back from him to John de Clerevaux his cosyn [nephew] 
and heir, the grandson of the mortgagor, and still it was fettered, so difficult 
was it in those days to redeem a mortgaged estate.* John Clervaux, senior, 
wedded a Percy and thus commenced a connection with the great house of 
Northumberland which was continued, and was succeeded by a son of the 
same name. 

John Clervaux (hi) was a commissioner of array for the North Riding 
against Scotland in 1388. In 1389 referees of note determined that 
Sir William Lescrop should for his transgressions and misprisions in the 
Bishop of Durham's franchise, by way of penance offer a jewel at St Cuth- 
bert's shrine. The worth of the jewel being left to king Richard II. to 
determine, his beloved and trusty knights of his chamber John Clarvowe and 
Nicholas de Sharnefeld waited on him at his manor of Havenyng for his 
determination, when he decreed that the jewel should be worth 500/. at 
least.§ In a document of 1386 this John is called "Johannes Clarvaux 
super Tesee,"|| and died in 1390.*[[ His son John (iv) was followed by a 
knight** Sir John Clervaux (v) who matched with the lordly house of 

Streatlam in 1310 — take notice that Peter de la or del Haye granted property at Yrton 
juxta Semer to William de Clervaus and his son John, and that Matilda de Clervaus, 
William's mother, in 1297 left a mark each to Elizabeth and Matilda daughters of Peter 
de la Haye. 

* Jubery, Ebor. — Edward I., at York, 4 Apr. A.R. 19. granted to Rob. del Neweland 
[a skinner] of York, and Alice his wife, " the place in which the Jews of York were 
buried, with the houses and tenements to that place contiguous, which were the residences 
of the same Jews in the suburb of the said city, by the exile of those Jews from our realm 
hitherto escheated to us and in our hands remaining, by the rent of a penny." Alice de 
Gysburne, Robert's widow, alienated to the Stodlays who granted Jubyri to their kinsman 
Wm. de Clervaus. t Rot. Scotise. 

t The last document I find relating to it was of the 24 Nov., 1392, between Esmond de 
la Pole Chivaler, Rob. de Bolton clerk and Robert de Garton clerk, and John de Clere- 
vaux cosyn and heir of Thomas de Clerevaux, "tesmoigne q' come le dit Thomas uncle 
a dit John dona et q'unta a mous' Mich' de la Pole iadys Conte de Suff," &c. — Clervaux to 
pay 2QL— 

Henrv Stele — have given to Sir Ac'is [Akaris] de Halnaby, John de Clervaus, and 
John Fieman, together and not separately, goods to the fabric of the chapel of B. 
Mary Magdalene in the vill of Wallemyr and for a chantry in the same, if at a future 
period they be able to extend the same goods, viz. goods to be left by other husbandmen 
to the said fabric to the amount of goods I have given to God, viz. 4 horses and 2 oxen for 
the plough, 3 cows, 1 stotte, and 2 stirks, and 2 calves, 40 sheep, and 20 lambs, 12 acres of 
wheat and 12 acres of somir falow with one tenement which owes yearly 12s. to the lord. 
— (if one trustee die, the other two to choose another)— Given on the feast of B. Mary 
Magdalene, A. D. 1341. 

§ Raine's St. Cuthbert, 134. || Clervaux Cart. fo. 86. 

If Friday after the feast of the assumption of B. Mary 1390. — John Clervaux of Croft 
infirm in body — to be buried in the parish church of St. Peter of Croft — to the patron of 
the church of Croft 10s. [the convent of St. Mary's, York, were patrons at the time] — the 
friars micor of Richmond 6s. M. — the friars of Yarum 6s. M. — the friars of Allerton 
6s. Sd. — sou John 8 oxen for one plough, silver cup with a cover after the death of my 
wife Beatrix, and one whole best bed but one — friar John de Yngelby 6s. 8d. to celebrate 
for my soul — Robert de Rokeby chaplain 6s. M. — son John 12 silver spoons after decease 
of my wife Beatrix. 

** Thes endenture made betwix John Clervaux Sqwyer of the to parti e and John Hex- 
ham of York carpenter of the tothir partie Wittenes that the forsaid John Hexham sal 
mak thre new tenementz wyth thre chaumbres opon the grounde of the forsaid John Cler- 

3c 



lxvi 



FAMILY OF CLERVAUX. 



Lumley, his wife's mother being Eleanor daughter of John Lord Neville by 
Maud daughter of Henry Percy. 

This splendid match which brought in the royal descent and connections 
shown in the pedigree, was always carefully paraded by the Clervaux race. 
Sir John, who had played his cards so well, died in 1443, and was honoured 
by his son Richard with an altar tomb in the South or Clervaux Aisle of 
Croft, but "the tomb is broken, the shields displaced — and the words for 
pews may scarce be traced/'* 

Richard Olervaux found himself, through his mother, in a most goodly 
company of relations,f and stands conspicuous as the " magnus" of his race. 

vaux in Peseholm in York als it lys be twix the tenement of Piers Bukey of the to partie 
and a staun place of the forsaid John Clervaux of the tothir partie the qnylk tenementz 
sail be made in the bred beforsaid and in the lenkth of lij fute and the forsaid John 
Hexham sail fynd all maner of tymber except lattes and louers And allso he sail fynd 
all maner of wryghtnote with dures wyndowes nayles bynkes (covered seats in front of 
houses) and durebands. The quylk tenementz sail be wele and'wermanly made and per- 
fournysshed in all maner of thynges beforsaid be the fest of Saynt Marty n in wynter 
next for to com efter the date of this presence. For the quylk tymber wryghtnote wyth 
all othir thyngs beforsaid wele and werkmanly to be made the forsaide John Clervaux 
sail pay to the forsaid John Hexham or his certayn attorne wele and treuly xviij marces 
of sterlinges that is to say vj marc befor the fest of Saynt Elyn next for to com And als 
touchyng the xij marc the sam John Hexham sail have the forsaid thre tenementz when 
thai er made and othir iiij tenements in Peseholm beforsaide of the forsaid John Clervaux to 
hald and to have the forsaid tenementz unto the sam John Hexham and to his assignes 
unto the tyme that he have takyn and resavyd the forsaid xij marc of the tenementz 
beforsaid and the same John Hexham sail have all the aid tymber and all othir appur- 
tenancez of the forsaid iij tenementz to his awne propre use and spence In to the 
wittenes of quylk thynges the parties beforsaid ther seals to the parties of this endentures 
sonderly has set to. Made at York the v day of marce In the zher of King Herry the 
fyft efter the conquest the fyft. [1417-8] 

* Top and sides are all flat under pews. Whitaker discerned " Joh'es Clervaux 

. . ... mccccxliii. et D'na Margareta uxor ejus filia Radulphi . . . . , Militis ,** 

but in 1846, the part of the legend presenting itself to me was " . . . . et Joh'es Clarvaux 

m Et nepos Rado neuil p'o Co'iti Westm'l'nd q' ob't A'd'ni m cccc li." At 

the visitation 1666, it appeared thus : 

feit facet Stoics' Clerbaur miles qui om'tt run &tta;' tt £To Win 
flfl'o CCCC'o PUBHPo. et m'm Ptergareta itrov ejus;, filia 
2ftattulpf)i Hurnlcp tmlttte <£t flepoS &afc'o He&ill p'o Comiti WLz&U 
mevlaunu'ie ; que abiit biceSimo 39ie ©ecemlms [a' tt'ni m cccc It ?] 
9ftiri). ejus films Ijanc Cumbam fieri fecit. 

On the dexter side the arms of Clervaux, on the sinister those of Lumley. The side con- 
taining those of Lumley is still visible under a thick matting. 13 July 1443. John Cler- 
vaux, knight — to be buried in the church of St. Peter the Apostle at Croft — to every 
parson and beneficed vicar being at my exequies and burial 20d., and to every chaplain at 
the saine 12c?., and every clerk 6d. — friars of Yarum 6s. Sd. — of Northallerton 6s. 8d. — of 
Richmond 13s. id. — the friars carmelite of York 20s. — residue to Margaret my wife and 
she shall find for me and her good estate one chaplain to perform divine offices in her 
presence for her whole life and that such chaplain have 100?. for one year's celebrating 
for me in the church of Croft — said Margaret my capital messuage in Sant Savorgate, 
York ; also 4 of my better mares — son Richard 3 covered cups and two without covers 
with 12 spoons and half of my vessels of brass and pevvdyr and a hanging (doser) with a 
tostor of arrase for the hall and one bed with curtyns and tostors in the new chamber and 5 
other beds without curtyns and tostors ; all my draught animals, &c. ; 24 oxen and cows 
with a bull, 8 calves at Croft and half of my mares not bequeathed ; and one silver salt 
without a cover — Wm. Gybson chaplain 20s. beyond his salary due to him — Margaret 
Clerionet 10 marks of silver, 3 cows, 4 bullocks, and 3styrk — Henry Taylboys [his brother- 
in-law] one covered cup — Wm. Vincent [the same] one covered cup — Ric. Mason a 
draught fily, a cow, an acre of wheat, and part of ray vestments, viz. a hayk of skarlatt 
and a hood — Wm. Cabery a draught fily — every servant of mine a vestment — Wm. Leds 
a draught fily or a stage [a young horse] and a dublet — Tho. Blakman a cow and a mark 
of silver. 

+ The settlement of his uncle (in law) William Vincent of Great Smeaton in 1450, 
presents a splendid array of names. He enfeoffs " my most noble lords Richard [Neville] 
Earl of Salisbury, Henry [Percy] Earl of Northumberland, and Henry Percy Lord de 
Ponynges, Thomas Percy Lord de Egremound, Ralph Percy knight, Richard Clarevaux 
and John Vyncent," whom he humbly supplicated that notwithstanding the feoffment 
they would hold his estates upon the conditions he named in trust for his children. The 
witnesses to the transaction were James Strangways and Ralph Pudsey knights, Christofer 
Conyers, Robert Playce, and others. 



SIR RICHARD CLERVAUX. lxvii 

For him was compiled the splendid family cartulary which contains minute 
evidences of his doings. In 1442 his father John Clervaux chivalier and 
Henry Vavasour esquier entered into a proper agreement on his marriage 
with the latter's daughter Elizabeth,* and the next year the good old man 
died and the bridegroom reigned in his stead. He was " esquier to the 
bodye of kinge Henrye the sixt," and in 1443-4 received permission to 
trade to Iceland to barter for Stokefycsh.-f- On Feb. 14, 1 446-7, he received 
a full general pardon from the king as " Richard Clervax of Crofte co. 
York esq. otherwise called Richard Clervax esquier of our household" for 
all transgressions, misprisions, murders, rebellions, felonies, conspiracies, 
&c, and all offences whatever as well against the reigning monarch as his 
dearest father deceased, including a remission ot all fines, causes of fine, &c., 
before the 1 Sep. 1441. The singular proviso occurs that this instrument 
was not to avail or in any way to extend to Eleanor Cobenham, daughter 
of Reginald Cobenham, knight, John Bolton of Bolton co. Lancaster, blad- 
smith, William Wyghill late keeper of Nottingham, nor to the felony of 
the death of Christopher Talbot, knt., feloniously slain, lately perpetrated, 
nor to offences against the Staple, nor to certain treasurers and other high 
officers of the king in trust. In the year 1441 mentioned, Dame Eleanor 
Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester, had been accused of treason for sorcery 
against the king and condemned to perpetual imprisonment, and the duke her 
husband was murdered the 28th Feb. 1446-7, fourteen days after Clervaux s 
pardon, which is dated at. Bury St. Edmund's, where a parliament was then 
assembled, on the second day of which the duke was arrrested. It would 
seem as if some of the king's household were apprehensive of being con- 
nected or were really named as having been friends to the duke or his 
treasons. I suspect Clervaux's pardon was only a precaution, as on the 24th 
of the same month he was appointed (at pleasure) to observe whether any 
fleeces, hides or skins produced in Yorkshire were carried across the water 
of Tese or any part thereof towards Newcastle-upon-Tyne to be shipped in 
that port to foreign parts against the statute and such to seize, and to have 
the fees accustomed. In Nov. 1447 he was appointed Escheator in York- 
shire, an office one would imagine to have brought him in prodigious wealth. 

He was in high favour with his neighbours, the Nevilles, for in 1445J 
Bishop Robert Neville of Durham " for the good and laudable service which 
our beloved cousin Ric. Clervax to us and our church of Durham has done 
and shall do " granted him an annual rent of 100s., to be paid him by the 
coroner ot Derlyngton Ward, and in 1447-8 "Ralph Earl of Westmoreland 
and Lord de Nevill " in his own princely style gave to "our beloved and 
trusty cousin Ric. Clervax, esq./' for his past and future services, a rent of 
61. ISs. 4(7. from " our manor of Oxenhale juxta Derlyngton/' for life.§ In 

* The Indenture is dated 15 May. Another succeeds four days after. " This Indenture 
heris witnes that Sir John Clarvax knyght hais resaveyd of Henri Vavasour squyer c mark 
the xix day of May the yer of kyng Henri the sext after the conquest xx and yf it be so 
that oght bot good os god forbyd com to Richard or Elizabeth befor the day of mariage 
then the said John his herres or hys executors to make repayment in whylk wyttnes the 
said Sir John & Henri has set to ther selis." 

+ Henry &c. — we have granted dilecto scutifero nostro Eicardo Clervaux that he by him- 
self his deputies or attornies may freight two ships of whatever burden they may be, in 
any port or ports in our realm of England wheresoever it please him together or sepa- 
rately with any merchandise except merchandise of the staple, and convey the same ships 
ad terrain Islandie and return with fish called Stokefycsh there bought and provided 
together or separately as often as he the said Richard during 7 years may think tit— Test. 
apud V/estm. xiiij Feb. A. R. xxii. 

t 20 Apr. 7 Pont. 

$ "Fermes payed of Oxnel. Memorand be the cummundment of the Tressurer Willm 
Claxtun I payed wn to Harre Deanem of Stayndrop in the Town of Ray by xlt. and witness 



lxviii 



FAMILY OF CLERVAUX. 



In 1447,* the king having granted to Wm. Grymesby, treasurer of his 
chamber 200/. for the expenses of his chamber out of the temporalities of 
the then vacant see of Durham, and William having represented that he 
could not get it, he appointed Thomas Nevyll of Brancepeth, knt. (nephew 
of Bp. Neville) and our squire Richard to levy it better. 

In 1449, William Cabery, an old family servant remembered in his 
father's will, had become worn out in the service and was affectionately pro- 
vided for by Richard, as to clothes and food, which were it seems, expected to 
amount to one pennyworth per day.f 

Like his own willows in the holmes of Croft, Olervaux prudently bent to 
every storm and was always a loyal subject to whatever kiug was uppermost 
at that day. He shook off the badge of the ruby rose and pfacidly basked in 
the ray of the Mose en Soleil on its first rise.J He concentrated his pos- 
sessions in 1464-5 by exchanging all his property in Stapylton, Cleseby, 
Jolby and in " the grenes withoutyn Mekillyth in the suburbes of York" 
for all that in Croft of John Lord Scrope who held the manor by purchase 
from the descendants of Roald, but Scrope still reserved the wardships 
marriages, and reliefs, § After this transaction, Richard styled himself Lord 



ther of Johi Clarvaux of Rewas and Harre Chyne and Willm Adesun.— Also after that I 
content and payed wn to Ric Deaynem of Darntun in Willm Zodsun hus xli. wetnes ther 
of master Graistock for a payrt that tym the sayd Rie Denem a lowed me for Master Gray- 
stok. — Also after that I content and payed to Ric. Denem of Darnton in the perllenr at 
Kroft xli. wetnes ther of a man of Willm Claxtun and Thomas Laytnn esqweer. — Allso after 
that at Rayhy To Willm Claxtun in the Cnntenj? hus xli. And that tym Willm Foster telld 
the sellver wetnes wher off Jhon Clarvaux of Raffais and Pelkengtun that is with my lord 
Nevell and Thomas Cunclun." . 

* 16 Aug., 25 Hen. VI. sic in carhd. Yet Robert Neville was bishop from 1430 to 1457. 
There is also a grant of the custody of the manor or lordship of Dyghton, Yks., then in 
the king's hand, for 12 years, rendering 14/. 3s. Ad., dated 13 May 1450. 

+ w This Indentur beris wittnes that Richard Clervaux of Croft skwier has graunttyd 
to Will'm Cabery of Croft his yhoman for his gude servys that he has don to his Elldira 
and hymmete and drynk and clothyng when he gevysse chechyng to his yhomen and in 
the same forme as thay have for terme of the lyve of the forsaid Will'm and the forsaid 
Will'm sail com into his place and sit with his yhomen at the mete and far as thy do als 
lang as he may cum to his mete and yf he have seknes that he maynatt cum to his mete 
and his drynk it sail be sentt to him resnabely and he send for hit and yf it so fall that 
the forsaid Richard ses of his lyve or will dwell in other plas whar hym lykys better he 
and his ayrise sal gyff to the forsaid Will'm for terem of his lyve evere day a pene In 
wittnes herof ayther part enterchangeabill puttis to thar sealles Writtyn at Croft on 
Pallme Sonday the zer of our lord Kyng Henry the sext efter the conquest of Yngland 
twenti and sevyne." 

J"R. E. Edward by the grace of God Kyng of England and of France and lord of 
Irland To cure welbeloved Richard Clarvaux squier Gretyng For so much as we been 
enformed by oure ryght trusty and entierly biloved cosyn of Warrewyke that ye be 
vexed with such infirmite and disease that ye ne bee of any power to labure withoute 
grete jeoperdie we of oure grace especial in concideracon of your sayde impotencie and 
at thinstance of our sayde cosyn have perdonned you and holde fully excused of any 
attendance upon us or other by us hereafter to be assigned and comitted to laboure at 
any Ridinges or Journeyis within this oure reame licencing you by auctorite and vvarant 
of these oure lettres to abide at youre awne place or any other to youre ease from this 
day furth any commissione or other comandment from us hereafter to bee directed for 
assemble of our subgettes natwithstandyng Provided always that your servantes and 
tenantes at all such tymes as by our comandment ye and thai have warnyng to attende 
upon us or such as we wol assigne thame un to for the defence of oure landis ye arredie 
and sende tham in competent nombr to the same entent accordyng with youre degre as 
other gentylmen of the cuntre about you of like reputacon shall doo We therefore straitly 
charge all oure officers ministres liegemen and subigettes that thai ner noon of tham 
attempe or suffre to be atempted contrary to this our licence and perdonne upon the peyn 
that may there of ensue at thair peril Yevnen under our signet at Meddelham the xvij 
day of Januari Thesecunde yere of our reigne". (1462-3) 

§ 1 1 Jan. 4, Edward IV. Indentor betwex John Lord Scrop, and Richard Clarvaux of 
Croft, Esquier— Richard shall have the chefe mese of the same lord in Croft, with all the 
demayn landes, &c, with mores, marras, watyr banks, meres, &c, (and all his property in 
Croft) — reserved the homage fealte escuage rent and suite of Richard, &c, for the lands, &c, 
he haldeth of same John by knyght service in Croft, with the warde marriage and releve 
of the heires of the same Ric— and the fealtie and the rent with doubileng of the same by 



SIR RICHARD CLERVAUX. \ x [ x 

of Croft. An elaborate full pardon from Edward IV. on Nov. 5, 1472, to 
him by six or seven styles,* up to the 30 Sep. 1471 was perhaps rendered 
necessary by his having supported or been named in conjunction with War- 
wick, his relation and old advocate, in his restoration of Henry VL, a 
rebellion totally quenched in blood during the latter year. This matter 
settled, in ] 473 he gave all his lands in Jolby (except Saint Nicholas' land 
charged with 13s. 43. yearly to St. Nicholas' Hospital beside Richmond) to 
Rowland Playce esq. of Halnaby for all his in Croft, and in 1476 parti- 
tioned a moor between himself and Mr. John Pakenham treasurer of the 
cathedral kyrke of York and perpetual farmer of Dalton.-f- In 1477-8, 
(Feb. 26.) Edward IV. granted Clervaux free warren in the lordships of 
Croft, Waimyre and Escowton, and elsewhere in Yorkshire, but alas, the 
liberty led him in less than a month after into sad quarrels with his neigh- 
bour Place about their game, &c.+ Their good will would scarcely be 

the way of releve after the course of the lawe and for the landes &c. same Ric. haldeth. 
of same John Lord Scrop in the town of Croft in Socage — and of all other tenantez that 
haldeth of same John as of the maner and seynorye of Croft— if this dede indentyd he 
not formall ne sufficiaunte in lawe for the exchange &c, this same writeng shai be 
reformed and amendyd by Gy Fairfax serjant of the law af'tir the trew intent of the same. 
As the exchanges occur in full latin the same date, Guy the conveyancer was probably 
called in. From a statement afterwards in the cartulary, it appears that Henry Lord 
Scrope in 1305 let .his "lyvelod" in the lordship to Will. Clarvaux for xii U. rent for a 
term. In June 1402, the tenantes paid Sir Richard lord Scrop 91. 10-5. 8o\, and on the date 
of the exchange to John the lord Scrop, 71. 15s. 2d- The lands Scrop had then in Croft 
came to 240<x. In ; and those Clervaux rave him in Stapiiton and Clesby to "xiij oxganges 
and xlvi acre evere oxgang contenyng viij acre", and in " the soivle of Jolby" 109a., and in 
the grenys withowtyn Mikyllyth bare 20a., total, 280a. [279]. These " lyvelod' " of Cler- 
vaux appeared in his rental at I'll. 3s. — " Allso it is to Ramaiuer that Ric Clarvaux haldis 
all the lordship of Croft of John the lord Scrop in Socage be the sums of xviija*. payng in 
the yere all maner of suttes and servis ward and mariagis only except to mes ix scor iiij 
acre and a rode and a halffe of land as is in the featur of the said lordes Scrops mor 
playnly specyfyed the land that the sayd Ric' bad of the sayd lorde Scrop in exchange 
the sayd Ric' aw noxt then for nowder sute ne servys warde ne mariage be the vertu and 
strenth of the sayd exchange Item the sayde Ric' haldis of the sayde lorde Scrop in the 
towne and lordship of Crofte thes places and landes vndyr wryttyn be knyghtes servys 
which amountes to the fyve meses and ix score iiij acre of land a rode and a halff as is 
be fore wryttyn the whiche places and land is thes at is specyfyed folowyng after this the 
whyche is all the places and land that the sayd Ric' haldes of the sayd lorde Scrop within 
the lordship of Croft be knyghtes servys where by the sayd Scrop and his heres may 
chalang or clame be ryght of the sayde Ric' or his heres ony sute or servys warde or 
mariage. [Here follow free tenants to the tune of Gs. 8d. of whom Thomas Clarvaux held 
a mess- and 6'0 acr. called Marchallandes for life, rev. John Clervaux and heirs, by I4a\ 
and a harbed arrow, and Richard Clarvaux junior 1 mess, and 30 acres late called Schol- 
lande and then Detlande, for life with same reversion by 4id.] Item the sayde Ric' and 
his Ancesters has payd to the sayd John lord Scrop and his ancestres of tyme that no 
mynde is for sute of cowrte for all the lyvelod that he haldes of hym be knyght servyce 
in the yere vjd." 

* "Ric Clervaux of Crofte near Northallerton, co. York, esq., alias Ric. Clervaux of 
Crofte in Richemondshyre, co. York, esq., alias Ric. Clervaux of Crofte near Nortliallar- 
on, co. York, esq., alias Ric. Clarvaux of Crofte esq., alias Ric. Clervaux of Crofte, co. 
York, esq., alias Ric. Clarvaux, etq., alias Ric. Clarvaux esq." 

f The solemnity of this document about an old hedge is striking. Clervaux agreed to 
make and uphold a partition dyke, hedged above with "whyte wode of whyte theme and 
breres." " Furthermore, if it so befalle that the dyke and heege be noght thrughtly mayde 
and performyd accordyng to the boimdes and poyntimentz above wryttn, or els so per- 
formyd then aftir thrught laagges displesaunxe or self-wyll or any other cause that casuelly 
may spryng in tyme to come vjhicfi god forbede on the be halve of the sayde Richard 
esq wyer airy of his heyres or assignes the dike and heedge be notsuffeciauntly mayntenyd" 
after | of a year 10/. forfeit to the Dean and Chapter and i after that the D. and C. to enter 
upon their common over the whole moor. 

$** Richard Due of Gloucestr gret ChamblaynConstabylland A dmirall of England — where 
Richard Clarvaux squier and Roland Playce squier by obligacions bearing date the xxth day 
ofMarchethexviij yere of the Reigne of kyng Edward theiiijth (1477-8) stand bounder in c/i. 
upon condicon that if they fro hensfurth be of gude bering and fullfyll our doome &c. We 
tendirryng the peas and welle of the centre where the said parties inhabite and also 
gladly willyng gode concorde Reste and frendly suite to be hadde &c." (they) shall suffi- 
ciently fence with dike qwykfallc pale or heege the bouudes of there grounds— if cattle &c. 



lxx FAMILY OF CLERVAUX. 

augmented by the scowling looks that would naturally glance from their oppo- 
site seats in the chancel in which Richard " the Bloody Boar of York," their 
arbitrator, ordered them to continue.* Olervaux pleased the Boar on his 
elevation to the throne in the same happy manner as he had done his prede- 
cessors, insomuch that in 1484 he ordered " his beloved servant Richard 
Clervaux esquire" for life a tun of wine out of his prize wines in the port 
of Hull. This would gladden the old boy's heart, but his amiable conduct 
on once more changing won him the golden spurs which all his previous 
manoeuvring had failed to acquire, and when Henry VII. at Durham, con- 
firmed his predecessor's grant for life of one tun of the red wine of Vascon, 
on Aug. 10. 1487*)* it was to " our beloved and trusty Richard Clervaux 
knight." The last royal grant to him in 1489 was of still more importance. 
It freed him in his old age of being placed or impanelled on any assizes 
juries or inquisitions whatsoever, of being a Justice of the Ptace or trying 
any felonies or delivering gaols, of being a commissioner, admiral, mayor, 

trespasse shall not take amendes for the hurte but easely dryve thame of hys grounde" — 
shall not " breke the peas of the kyng"— shall be content with the former exchange. Also 
we " deme that the sayd Rich Clarvaux and hys wyffe from hensfortli shall hold thame 
content to sitt in there parish e church e chaunsell on the south side in such places as he and 
hys ancestres and their wyffys hertofor have always used to sitte and none other wysse 
attene to make their syttynge within the said church or chaunsell." Place and his wife si- 
milarly to" holde tham contentent to sitt in the sayde parish church chaunsell on the north 
syde in such places as he and hys ancestres" &c. and none otherwise, &c Ric' " in no wyse 
shall beleve take to his service or reteigne to do hym service any servaunt or tenaunt be- 
longing to Rouland or dwellyng upon the ground of Rouland [and vice versa}. Ric' in 
no wyse shall hunt hawke fische or foule the severell groundes of Rowland beyng warren 
without his wylle and licence [and vice versa], — if any of the hundes of Ric to be caste of or 
let reune within hys awne grounde to any game and come into the groundes of Rowland 
Ric' shall not passe hys awne grounde in folowyng hys hundes but strake and blow for 
thame enlesse licenced by Rowland and if Rouland fynde the hundes of Ric' so folowynge 
the game upon his grounde he shall rebuke thame and no oder hurt ne damage do thame 
[and vice versa]— if hereafter unkyndnes happyn to fall betwene the parties we wolle that 
the parte so grevyd shewe hys greffe to Thomas Mountfert William Burghe squiers Sir 
Willm. Pudsey parson of Bolton and Thomas Franke squier— and if the sayde greffe be of 
such weight that thai in no Avysse can appeasse the same than thai to show unto vs the 
cause why thay ne so can. These premisses to be observyd upon payne of forfaitur of thair 
sayde obligacons — we have set our seale and signe manuell Yevyn at our Castell of Meddel- 
ham xij Apr xviij Edw iijj. (1478)." In a subsequent quarrel in 1480, about " Awykfalle 
dyke," the parties very sensibly took the " discrete advice and concell" of Moundferd, 
Burghe, Pudsay (parsone of Grysmyre and of Bowlton in Bowland), and Franke. Place 
was to " have the holow of the dyk and the wode growynge thereapon toward Halnathby 
feld and the cam and the hight of the dyk to the backsyde of the wykfalle and as myche 
space at the backesyde of the wykfalle in ward in to Crofte feld as he may juste to the 
wykfall set a fensable heege." Clervaux licenced him '* to brynge tynsell for the fence of 
the dyke and to stand upon the grounde of Ric' for the tyme of makyng the fence or heege 
so that the servants of Rowland nether grasse turffe dike ne delffe ne no swarth breke bot 
onely at the careage brynyng the tynsell moste of verray necessiti and dryssyng of the 
stakys of the heege." Parties bound in 201. to obey. 

* This chancel is covered by a flattish but fine florid roof, with delicately enriched 
bosses, among which occurs the shield of Clervaux. The tower is oddly added upon 
the West end of the South aisle, and on the S. side displays Place impaling Halnaby 
•' R- P." and Clervaux, " R. C." There are also other sculptured stones irregularly built in, 
amongst them is the monogram " ihc" and close to it a small figure bearing the Clervaux 
shield. 

*r Sic in Cartul, " anno regni secundo" and the notice to the Chief Butler is dated at 
Richmond 22nd Aug. A.R. 3, the years of that reign commencing on Aug. 22. The recital of 
the following document is therefore clerically wrong by a year. " John Fortescue knyght 
Cheiff Butelar of our sowyng lorde the kynge of this realme of England to my deputie or 
deputiez in the porte of our sowyng lorde the kynge of his town of Kyngeston uppon Hull 
— where our said sowayn lorde by his Ires patents, werof the date er the xth day of August 
the iijde of his noble regn hath giffen and graunted to his trusty and welbelouyd Richard 
Clarevaux knyght a ton of wyne of Gascoyn to be taken and pceyved yerly durynge the lyfe 
of the said Richarde of our said sowayn lorde prise wynes in the said porte coming or 
growyng at the feast of Saynt Mtyne in Wynter by the handes of the Cheff Boteler of Eng- 
lund or his deputie in the said porte. I wille and in the name of our said sowayn lorde the 
kynge charge you that zhe from hensforth yerelie during the lyfe of the said Richard de- 
lyvir unto the same Richard at the same fest the said tun of wyne of G ascoyn of the said 
first priese wynes." x Nov. v. Hen. vii.(l489). 



£ THE CI.ERVAUX MANSION. l xx i 

sheriff, escheator, or in fact of being in any official position whatever high 
or low. The sandglass ran out, the next year he died. The man who 
conciliated all dynasties and changes of advisers in six reigns of the roses, 
and still more, one whose veins flowed with the blood of the turbulent 
Nevilles and rash Percys, must have been a v ery extraordinary character. 
And in all his troublous and chequered life he found time to have a volu- 
minous cartulary prepared lor the honour of Clervaux, to square and 
complete his domains on the sweeping Tees, and to leave the estates wider 
and better than he found them.* His arms surmounted the portal of his 
(probably re-edified) mese at Croft, a long series of proud escutcheons mark- 
ing Neville, Percy, Lumley, and Plantagenet, gleamed to his glory from its 
traceried lights,-)- and as if to complete his magnificent state, even in death 

* He acquired estates at " Eryome A Pountesse, , \ Crofte from Isabella and Margaret 
Makeadoo daughters of JohnM.,and at Derlington in vicofori between the burgages of Roger 
Thornton and Thomas Surteese (1470) from Win. Pudsay, knt. and Jakes Pudsay confirmed 
(4 Nov. 5 Hen. 7). He was seised of diverse lands in the soyle towne and felde of Derlyng- 
ton, two burrowages the tone on the borowraw between those longynge to the colage 
kyrke of Dark and to Rob. Emeryson of Wardalle, and the toder in Skynnergate, and 
enfeoffed Tho. Alderson of Derlyngton, smeth, with xxxij landes lyenge in Granow 
Bodome by a Rose garlande on the nativite of Sancte John Baptiste if askyd. To show 
the enormous extent of the Clervaux possessions, 1 may mention that the cartulary 
contains evidences as to those in the following localities, besides mention of many more 
York properties in the wills as appurtenant to the poticarian branch. Croft ; Joleby 
hamlot' dominii de Croft ; dominium de Walemire ; dominium de Est Couton ; strata de 
Walmegate in suburbio civitntis Ebor., Fosgate, Colyergate, Saynt Saviregate, Dynnyngdyk, 
Goodromegate, Aldwerk, Munghgute, Jubery, Hunttyngton, Jubritegate, Carnificium, 
Glovergail, Feskergat, Pons Castri, Ussegate, Mekilsgate, Mykylgate Gryne, Marketskyre, 
omn. in civ. Ebor.; Stapilton ; Derlington (21 pages); Hurtheworthe ; villa de Smetheton; 
villa de Warlauby , Stokeslay ; Solbergh ; villa de Tirnetofte ; Yedingham ; Donecastre ; 
Yrton juxta Semer ; Eryome ; Cleseby ; Hoton Longlers ; Magna Hoton juxta Wyclyffe ; 
Dalton. 

+ At the visitation 1666, were the following arms in the old house of the Clervaux 
family, I copy from Whitaker ; for the additions in ( ) I am responsible. 

IN QUAKDAM FENESTRA TBICLINII. 

1. Neville, Marquis of Montacute, 1. and 4. Montague quartering Mouther mer ; 2. and 
3. Neville with a label compone, or and azure. 

2. France and England encircled with a garter and surmounted by a ducal coronet. 

3. {Bishop Neville of Durham). Gules, a saltire argent, charged with 2 annulets con- 
joined, of the first, and azure ; surmounted by a mitre, through which is a crozier, whose 
staff goes out at the back of the shield. 

4. (Clifford). Checquey, or and az., a fess gu. 

5. Lumley. Ar. a fess gu. between 3 popinjays vert, with a mitre and crozier as No. 3. 
(Marmaduke Lumley, Bishop of Carlisle, brother to Richard Clervaux's mother.) 

6. Neville. 

7. Percy quartering Lucy. 

8. Neville. 

9. Lumley impaling Neville. 

10. Neville (Clervaux?) impaling Or, a chevron erm., betw., 3 lions' heads erased sa. 
(This coat occurs in the illuminated pedigree temp. Eliz. with the lions' heads gu. as the 
coat of Stodelay of York. See the pedigree.) 

11. Clervaux impaling Gascoigne, Arg. on a pale sa. a demiluce or. (The name of Gas- 
coigiie occurs in the early fabulous portion of the pedigree. I am inclined to think that a 
marriage did take place with that family, but where to put it, I know not.) 

12. Clervaux impaling (Sir Alexander Percy's arms ?) Or, 5 lozenges conjoined in fess 
sa. (In the illuminated pedigree the usual tinctures of Percy are given.) 

13. Clervaux impaling Vert ; a stag argent, horned or, and a chief of the last. (Cerf, 
according to the ilium, ped. This impalement was in the Allan Museum in coloured glass, 
doubtless the same.) 

14. Clervaux. _. " _ „ . , _ . _ 

15. (Vavasour) Or a fess dancette sa. impaling Barry of six arg. and gu., in chief a 
greyhound courant, sa. 

16. Clervaux impaling Lumley. .,.,„. 

17. Chatour, Party per bend, indented, arg. and az., 3 cinquefoils, 2 in chief and 1 m 
base counterchanged. Crest : a stag's head erased, lozengey, argent and az., the dexter 
horn of the first, the sinister of the secoud. 

18. Chatour quartering Clervaux. 

19. Chatour quartering Clervaux, impaling quarterly 1 and 4. (Bedingham). Arg. 3 
bugle horns sa. stringed gu. ; 2 and 3 



lxxii 



FAMILY OF CLERVAUX. 



he lay west of his father, cancelled with a rich parclose screen,* under a 
tomb of the most marvellous hugeness, chastity, and grace.*)- 

The estate of Croft on the decease of John Olervaux, (vi) esq., son of 
Richard, fell to his younger brother Marmaduke Olervaux, esq., who in a 
curious undated draft will in the cartulary makes provision to be buried not 
in his own paternal aisle, but on the steps before the high altar in Croft 
church, under a blue marble slab inlaid with the effigies of himself and wife 
Elizabeth Strangwayes.J: This has disappeared unless it be one of the slabs 



SCULPT A IN MURO EXTRA TRICLINIUM SUPER FENESTI1AM. 

20. {Olervaux) a saltire ; 21. {Vavasour) a fess dance tte|j| 22. (Olervaux); 23. (Vava- 
sour) ; 24. (Olervaux.) 

25. Lumley. 

26. (Olervaux) ; 27. ( Vavasour) ; 28. Olervaux. 

29. France and England, surmounted by an imperial crown. 

30. ( Vavasour.) 

SCULPTA SUPRA PORTAM. 

31. (Olervaux.) 

32. Olervaux, with a knight's helmet and mantling. Crest : a demi -eagle displayed. On 
each side the letters " R. C." (1 believe these to be the identical insignia now in 2 pieces 
and in the Clervaux porch of the church.) 

33. ( Vavasour.) 

IN QUADAM FENESTRA MAGNJE CAMAR^E. 

34. Scrope quartering Tibetot, encircled by a garter. 

35. Clervaux encircled by a collar of SS. (Ric Olervaux.) 

* He also had a private chapel in his mansion. "1453 [1473?], Mar. 14. Licencia per 
Dominum Vicarium Generalem Ricardo Clairvaux, armigero, Domino Dominii de Croft, 
archidiaconatus Richae. ut posset facere celebrari missas, voce submissa, per capellanum 
idoneum in capella sive oratorio, infra mansum suum apud Croft, per unum annum."— 
Clarkson's Richmond, 66. The parclose screen in the church is of oak, perpendicular, and 
still retains the saltire of Clervaux. 

+ This vast tomb of grey marble measures 11 by nearly 5 feet. On the east and west 
ends are the arms of Clervaux and Vavasour impaled, surrounded by a label wrapping 
about a rod, and inscribed with the motto "Fortune, le. veit" repeated in blackletter. 
On each of the other two sides is the muzzle badge of Clervaux four times repeated ; on 
the north is the fess dancette of Vavasour, on the south the saltire of Clervaux, each 
surrounded by a gorgeous SS. collar. The whole tomb is so perfect, so incorruptibly hard, 
so crisply wrought, and withal so plain in its elegance, that it forms the most extraordi- 
nary feature of the whole church, and is indeed a singular contrast to the pompous over- 
loaded tomb of a Milbank in the north aisle, surmounted by a batch of imitation armour 
and tattered banner, and on which the impaled shield is exemplified by two cherubs, the 
baron et feme, kissing in heaven. The chamfer round Clervaux's tomb contains the 
following verses : 



Clerttaur rtcarfcuS $acet %it stub marmore clau^uS, 
Crofte miantfam tt Vtf $Huc miserere ttms, 

&rmic$' $|enrtri regte et pro corporc Sertt, 
(JBuem fonts tytUi ftttrtt at as'tra poll, 

&anqutttfc eftfoarfct tpiavtt term que rtcartti 
<&raW tri terms alter btrtgf futt 
<8u( ofcrjt n'o fc't JK'o ctcdmy- 



Richard Clervaux lies be- 
neath this marble buried, 
God have mercy on him. 
Of Croft be once was lord ; 
a squire of the body of King 
Henry VI., whom God rais- 
ed to the stars of the lofty 
pole; and of the blood of 
Edward IV. and Richard 
III., in the third degree the 
one to the other. Who died 
A. D. 1490. 



J In die nomine Amen. Be it knowen un to God and all the world that I Marmaduk 
Clarvaux In gud hell and prospirate And with myn own hond writen with owt mewefeng 
temppeng or stereng of one creatore bot god only Be the geft and the grac gefen of god 

almyghty for to mak my well and testment world that Is to sai and I dy at 

Kroft my bons to be bered at Croft Kerk in the wher emong the grecis befor the blesed 
sacrament and my sowll be the grac of ih'u ffor to be had with angelles in to the hegh 
heven in the seght of the blesed tranite In lyk wyes and I dy at Zork for to be bered my 
bones in the menster a ffor sant xpor and lykwys and I dy at Lundun my bones ffor 
to be bered Powll menster A for owr layde of grac in the bode in the cherch|andithis is 
my well That my younger sun that is to say Will 'am Clarvaux hayf for the term of his 
lyf the holl lordshipp of Walmyr that is to say with the lowg' and the fesseng the ehapell 
and the ehapell garth and the mawr of Kroft that pertenes to the sayd Wallmyr as the 
olid dyk makes mensun that was of Bretuns land and also xx li. of the best plaiet of myn 
and also iij c shep of the best taken owt of Stolkmyr park [in Croft, granted by the Scyr- 
locs as Stockemyreflat] and Oxnell and also this my well Also be the seght and gud adwys 
of my lady Wells of Reppley that my doghter Elenor for to hayff of my gud that is to 



CLERVAUX OF CROFT. l x &h 

peeping trom under the pews in the choir. His son, John Clervalx, (vii) 
esq., of Croft, engaged in the battle of Flodden Field, and is mentioned in 
the poem ol that name, leaving an only child an heiress who was the first 
spouse of Sir Thomas the four-wived Baron of Hylton. The Baron changed 
with all creeds and like Richard Clervaux ruled himself with such prudence 
that he was a welcome subject ot both popish and protestant monarchs. His 
arms form the only remnant of the stained glass in the Clervaux Aisle of Croft 
church. 




s iyc of petie and penpworth i : ij schore pond^s nnd the sayd iiij schore pundes for to be 
at i lie rewell of my sayd lady Wells upon the be huf of my sayd dosditer Elenor Clarvanx 

and at my sayd doghter for to be that ..... well " . or naarragand gyden' of my 

said lade un to the tym that my said doghter be put wn to grud ft° r Ir| y 

doffhter well and & wirchipe'this is my well Also that sun Will'am Clarvaux that he 
hayf and rewya all the land that I haif pnrchest or bosrth that is to say the landes in Cow- 
ton that was Xpor Woufane that is to say the sirif oxgang with an toft and an croft per- 

teneng therto and also an kl<>s in Dalton apon tays of Ruger Stertfurd inueng of 

the knos of the eret plac' in the said JJaltun the wech lies to me ffor an sun of sellver Also 
if kays be that offeises of seknes or bnsenis or one odar leteng that I may not provyd no 
get an marbell ston that is to say ffor bv Jaied in the greces at the hegh alter befor the 
blessed sacrament in Kroft k< j rk wher than is my said well that my sekturs that is to 
say my lade Wells of Reppllelay and Thomas Surteys of Dinsell and my zownger son 
Will'am Clarvaux that thai provid an marbell ston in the said plas ffor to be laid and ij 
iraa» of latyn t'on a man in his armes and an woman in my kot armor on hir mantell and 
on hir serkot with Strangways armys on hir and an skoceon with myn armys on the onn 
syd and Strangways on thetoder syd the wech salle for my wyffe and me And also that Sir 
Georg haif owt of Mekillrar gi'oyng ffor vij zers after my desses to sens: for me that is to 
say evere zer to is fowd or wages iiij li. xij s. and iiij d. ffor that ffermald is exempt it 
the ded of mareng ffor the term of xl zers to ffulfyl such detes or dewtes as is ffor my 
well or wells and after the said termys of xl zers than the said landes of Mekillmire to 
remayn to the stok and ayer a zayn And also that evere husold serviand or oder servand 
that is to sey that weres my leveray kletheng for to "haif xx s. in silvor or in pene worght 
the full valer ther of. 

3d 



IXX1V 



FAMILY OF CLERVAUX, 



There was no issue of the match, and Croft went to his lady's uncle 
William Clervaux, esq., whose sons John (viii) and Richard both d.s.p. 
The former was "sworne esq. to the bodye of Kinge Henrie theight, died 
without issue This man was an tmthrift."* The statement may be fully 
believed, for it cannot be doubted that the Chaytors inherited but little of the 
princely inheritance of Olervaux from his sister. And here ends the male 
line of Clervaux. A humble race of cadets occur at Darlington long after 
the broad lands of their parent tree had passed into another name, and 
they seem to have gradually sunk into utter pauperism.-;- The pedigree 
will shew them to have been nearly related to the main branch, as the 
Chaytors had to buy out any claim they had. 

About 1541, Lord Scroope laid a deep scheme. He induced the un- 
thrifty Clervaux to enfeoff John Uvedale, esq., of Marriok, in his manors, 
to the use of himself and heirs, remainder to Uvedale. " The consideration 
of this feoffment was at the motion of the Lord Scroope for that John 
Clerveax, being much giving to dicing, carding, and riotous gaming, ahould 
not lewdly play away his land, and consume it in riot, at which time Lord 
Scroope was minded to have married John Clerveax afterwards to one of his 
own kinswomen, hoping thereby to have issue of their bodies to inherit. "J 
Uvedale was perhaps in trust for the right heirs, for the unthrifYs propen- 
sities for parting with his emerald pastures became so alarming, that his 
relatives obtained from him a series of instruments confirming what was 
left to his own kin.§ The first of these was a lease of a messuage, fourtye 
shillynges close, Cotwellfeyld, the Lyon close, the welclose, #c. in Croft to 
his brother Richard for 21 years at a rent of 20 marks if John did not pay 
80/. at lammas next. The mortgagee was to find to the borrower* " one 
habyll man well furnyshed bothe with hors and harnes to serve the Kings 
majestic in his marshall (martial) affayres." This was in 1548, and in the 
following year John was bound to settle Croft and Walmire in exact heirship 
on trustees. A grant, however, soon after occurs to Richard of Walmyer and 
demeynes of Croft and Croft moor. In 1570, for the appeasing of variances 
between the brothers, and " for the stay of th inheritance of the said. 
Richard," John was to make estate to trustees of the reversion of the manor- 
house and parks, holms, <J-c. of Crofte and Warleybie. Part was to be 
Richard's for life of John — then to John's heirs male (which Richard was 
doubtless well aware would never exist) and then to Richard and heirs, and 
afterwards the Chaytors. The manor house, and a proper portion of park 
was to be Richard's till John married, then for him and the new wife for life, 
and then for their heirs as before. Richard was to pay 20 marks and 20 
nobles to John ; and out of the whole arrangement were excepted the follow- 
ing bachelor's lodgings for the rake ; — " the great parlour and the inner 
parlour, the kytchynge, the paistry, a rowme betwene the paistrie and inner 
parlour; and thre chambers directlie over the said two parlours and paistrie, 
and the orcharde and pounde garth." The estate was doomed to be rifled 



* Ped. temp. Eliz. 

t 16(51, To Tho Clarvis being sick att severall times, 2s. Id. 1670, To Will. Bellwood 
with young Chrfax M. 5s. 1671, To Mr. Bell for burying Tho. Clarfax lid. 1676, Wm. 
Clervax wynding sheet Is. 6d. 

% Nichols' Collect. Top. part xix. 

£ Sir Wm. Chaytor, writiug in 1704, says, "He being quirrie to King Henry the eight, 
and living a profuse court life, though born to great estate, had spent the greatest part of 
it, whereupon his brother William (Richard) and Chr. Chaytor prevailed with him to settle 
Croft and some other small estate to be preserved in the name and blood of his family.' 



THE LAST CLERVAUX. I xxv 

by reckless heirs, for Richard himself seems in his dotage to have enacted 
some odd transactions. Somehow setting aside John's settlement, he made 
what Anthony Chaytor the eventual heir endorses it, " a false forsworne 
lease" of Croft and Walmire to the use ot " Christopher Place of Dinsdale 
and Tonnstell parson of Croft, who callid his name Rauffe Tunnstell which 
lease he causid to be maid in his sonne Thomas Tunstell [of Cotham] name" 
for 20 years or until his son Richard Clervaulx came of age, to such uses as 
he himself should declare by will. The same day (24 Feb. 1586-7) he had 
given H. annuity out of Lynggie Feilcle in Walmyer manor to W~m. Place 
one of the sons of Mr. Roberte Place of Dinsdale " for the better mainte- 
nance and augmentation of lyvinge." The inspection of the signatures to 



r\ 




these deeds will satisfy the reader that the Tunstall document was written 
after copious potations with his uxorial friends the pleasing Places. After 
all Anthony Chaytor's irascibility, there is nothing very objectionable in the 
will founded on the lease, unless there were some comfortable pickings in 
the way of fabricated debts and executorship in general.* In 1587, how- 
ever, the trustees granted 20/. yearly to Hugh Chaytor, who was equerry 
to Queen Elizabeth, during the life of their ward little Clervaux, by what 
power does not appear. 

*24 Feb. 1586. " Richard Clarvaux of Oofte esquire — advisedly myndinge to bestowe &c. 
— to be buried whythin my parishe churclie of Croft e — (recites lease to his ' verye trustie 
frei lids' Christopher Place of Dinsdale and Tho. Tonstall of Cothuni of manors of Crofte 
and Walmyre to the uses of his will and charges them with his debts and legacies : for 
that purpose a sum of Two thousand marks was to be raised the surplus of which was to 
be paid to the heir.)— my worshippefull cosens and welbeloved frends Sir Willm Bellesis 
knighte, llaulphe Tailboyes, and Richard Bellesis esquires to everie one of theme one old 
anngell — my servants fof their travelland paynes taken with me as also eertayne that have 
wate.u (i with me 207 — the poore inhabitants next adjoyninge this my pari she with my poore 
parishioners 201 — towards the repayringe of the towe bridges of Crofte and Sunheeke with 
some repayringe of Dalton lonynge 201.— Marye Place the yongest doughter of Mr. Robert 
Place my father in lawe 101. — Richard Clarvaux and Cuthbert Clarvaux (evidently poor 
relations on the estate, the latter liv. 1591) shall enjoy their terme of eighte yeares from 
the feast of Philipp and Jacobb next payinge the rent of U. 6s. 8<7. ether of theme yearlye 
according to my graunte — (provides that other tenants should remain during his son's 
minority at their accustomed rents, &c.) — Mr. Ranlphe Tonstill a whyte gray colt, nowe 
goinge in the demaynes which said Rauphe I make my executor of truste — reste to 
Richard my sonn' r — Proved May 1587 at Richmond — Richard Clarvaulx sonne and heire 
aged 1 year and 8 months when extent taken 13 June 1587 and his wardship and marriage 
granted by the queen (of whom, as of her castle of Richmond, 3 comes of land at Croft 
were held by the 4th part of a knight's fee) to Place and Tonstall 24 May 1588 when rental 
stated at 111. 5s- 4d., a carue of lande in Walmere houlden of Henrye lorde Scrope of 
Bolton by the 12th parte of a knyght's fee to his fee of Realde, letting" above all chardges 
for i'Ss. Ad- The remainder of the rental was from Croft. The trustees had in 1587-8 a 
grant of Crofte and Walmyer from Henry Lord Scrope, on paying him 401. a year thereout 



Ixxvi 



FAMILY OF CLERVAUX. 



There is much difficulty in deciding upon the fatherland of the Chaytors. 
The father of old Christopher was a merchant of Newcastle, and was co- 
temporary with Peter Chaytor, another Newcastle merchant. The family 
tradition is that the family came from Cheshire to the banks of the Tyne. 
If this be the case, they doubtless halted in the luring Laughs of Richmond- 
shire, and made an early match with Smales ; for I find among the family 
archives copies of the register of Anthony son of Thomas Chaiter in 1606, 
and several later Chaiters or Chatters from Wensley ; in company wit'd 
Anthony and Christopher Smales baptized in 1575 and 1601. The cousin- 
ship of the poorer Chaytors of Newcastle was for some time claimed and 
recognized. Oswald Chaitor, an honest linen-weaver was solemnly ap^ 
pointed parish clerk of St John's in that town in 1582, ad legendum, can- 
tandum, respondendum, et in dimnis officiis desermendum. He died in 1623, 
and it was, 1 may assume, his son Oswald who in 1646, being sick in body, 
wished to be buried in St. John's church among his predecessors, and dis- 
tributed his trifles as tokens. Uncle Thomas was honoured with his best 
hat ; brother Thomas his black gaiters ; brother Cuthbert his cloak and a 
vice which he already had ; and daughter Jane his silver beaker. 

Christopher Ohaytor, who had wedded the eventual heiress of Clervaux, 
sat quietly down in the aguish land of Butterly, having purchased its 
ancient moated manor-house from the Lumleys in 1566. There can be no 
doubt but that the wealthy lawyer was well fitted to purchase the lady of 
the then rather decadent house of Clervaux, the sister of John the " un- 
thrift." There was ample chance of the issue of her younger brother pre- 
venting her being heiress of even what graceless Jack had left. In 1827, 
in cleaning the moat at Butterby, a slender gold ring was found, just large 
enough for a lady's finger. It was chased on the exterior, and would be a 
very proper one for Elizabeth Clervaux to have worn, for it was inscribed 
within, "No foe to fortune." Chaytor in his youth had been a servant or 
retainer in the family of Jane Seymour's brother, the ambitious Somerset, 
and came with the first into the principles of the Reformation. The duke 



(he having right to the wardship of the heir who held of him by knight's service) " at the 
porche dorre of the Southe syde of the perishe churche of Crofte." In 1548, Christopher 
Chaytor had given a bond to Clervaux the unthrift that if the latter paid 1302. he should 
enjoy Flatt (Fat) hill and Crossefield in Croft again. This deed is endorsed by Anthony 
the grumbler thus " For Fathill — an obligation. Fy of false. False brether. God blese 
my childer, this obligatione is if ned rsquier to have as God for byd ." The conclusion 
jumped at is not very obvious, as any obligation consequent upon the mortgage would 
appear to have been cancelled by a full grant from Clervaux to Chaytor two years after- 
wards. In 1573, old Christopher settled 401. a year out of the Fatt hill on his " welbeloved 
sonne Anthony," and in 1577-8 101- annuity on his son Thomas out of Crosfielrl, and in 1583 
settles both on Anthony and his issue by Margaret Wytham. There was no such issue, 
but in 1588, the father granted the lands to Anthony and his heirs for ever, in addition to 
the estate he had. A month or two after Robert Wytham the brother-in-law of Anthony 
had empowered the latter to sue his father Christopher Chaytor on the marriage settle- 
ment. The "false brether" certainly included Thomas, to whom his father "nowe growing 
aged and infirm, for his more ease and quietnes sett over all his goods and cattels movable 
and immovable" in 1586 on condition that he should be found " all such necessary e and 
competent provision as from hencforth shall be requisite for the findinge and mainteyn- 
inge of the houskepinge and familie of the said Chris tofer Chaytor after such rate and 
value and in such sorte and order as yt is nowe and heartofore hath bene kept and main- 
teyned" and pay the old squire 80?. a year at his house at Butterby. Thomas somehow 
walked over both father and grant, for the old man after leaving his heir his signet of gold 
with his arms engraven (by which appellation he elsewhere designates the crest his will is 
sealed with), beseeching God to bless him and make him loving and kind to his brethren 
and sisters, and stating moreover that he was not natural unto his brethren and sisters nor 
obedient unto him his father and made him not privy to his last marriage nor of the as- 
surance of his lands made to his wife (" god forgive him and I pray God to bless him") ; 
entailed by his will Fathill and Crossfield in tail male on his sons Hugh and Thomas before 
the wretch Anthony, who in 1600, had to buy them up. 



CHAYTOR OF CROFT. 



Ixxvn 



at his death gave him a gold ring sot with a turquoise, which was be- 
queathed to his daughter Helen Chaytor. He bore many legal offices under 

the crown and bishop palatine, and at the age of .98, full of riches and 
honour, seems to have broken his neck by tumbling through the roof of his 
house at Butterby.* His descendants tell us with becoming solemnity that 
he was 2 lears younger than Henry VIII. How differing the length — tin 4 
character of their lives ! It is remarkable that his will was made only four 
days before his death, and in that document he speaks of the uncertainty of 
death " as we dalle see by other neighbors." 

William Chaytor who succeeded his father Anthony at Croft is said to 
have been knighted by Tames I. in his progress to assume the English 
crown, but at that rime he was only 11 years of age and his father living. 
His second son Henry Chaytor, the last heir male of this line, after serving 
under the celebrated George Monk in Ireland till the latter was taken pri- 
soner, escaped himself, and became colonel and governor of Bolton Castle 
in Wensleydale, by the commission of Prince Rupert. He defended ic till 
Ins little band was reduced to the necessity of eating horseflesh, and then 
marched to Pontefract, continuing in the royal service during the whole 
of those unhappy wars. The estate of Croft from the effect of jointures 
was in no very happy condition but lie nevertheless purchased it from a 
dowager who had a life interest in it, and settled a heavy rent-charge on her. 
His loyalty had confirmed his poverty, and he "was forced to marry widow 
Dodsworth of Barton for maintenance." This lady who was an ancestress 
of the present family of Allan of Biackwell had the good fortune to see 
three centuries, being born in 1598 and dying in 1704, aged 105. 

On Henry's death, his sister Agnes, would have succeeded to the inheri- 
tance of Clervaux, but the colonel had been assisted in his purchase by his 
cousin Nicholas Chaytor, (as gallant and suffering a loyalist as himself) on 
the promise of a settlement, and this he performed by suffering a re- 
covery and by will, " which he desired should be very surely done, for that he 
knew very well that his sister Liddell would, if she should survive him, 
make very much to do about his estate and make his will void if it were 
possible and therefore charged William Place to make it strong enough, for 
that she should never have it, and that he had rather it were in the sea 
than that she should have it." The deed of settlement had stated that he 
wished the better continuance of his estates/' for so long time as it should 
please God, in his name, kindred and blood." 

* In jrolden capitals, on a square blue stone, fixed to the Eastern wall of the North nisle 
of St. Oswald's church, Durham, is the following singular inscription : — 

" In obi turn Christoferi Chaiter de Buttrobie, Armigeri, qui obiit 17 Aprilis, Anno D'ni 
1592, anno aetai is suae ! 8, 

Aspicequam subito volvuntur singula casu ; 

Oecidit heu inopum fantor p' tecta Butrobi, 

A Christ o noinenq. ferens cognoniine Chaitcrs ; 

Hie enstos pacis, custos fnit ille registri : 

Hie viduae causas egit, causasq ; pupilli ; 

Hie Regius terrain signavit limite mensor ; 

Fidns erat fidis, nullusq ; in pectore fucus ; 

Omnibus et mitis, dictis fuit ille facetus. 

Terra tegit cineres, mens vivit in a?there snmmo. 

En, srnatus notu minimus, nunc p'manet lire res 

Condigni patris, net- non sua? muna prestnns. 

Hxc tibi devinctus, scripsit monumenta Dethiceus/" 
Arms and crest as in the grant of 1571. " Angus, 1616 : Mr. John Fowler cam of pur- 
pose from London to me the 27th of this and took infiuitt paines in settinge upp my 
father's moniment, andtcke jorney towardes Newcastle 13th of September followiuae. 
I satisfied him for all disbarsmeuts att London, and cave him 40s., and 5 chalder of coales, 
which cost me 37?. 10,9."' — f Tliomas Chaytor's Diary.) 



lxxviii FAMILY OF CLEHVAUX. 

When Sir William, the son of Nicholas, came to his estate, he found 
four dowagers claiming their allowances, the incumbrances exceeding the 
rents, and very awkward foes in Sir Francis Liddell and Agnes his h-iress 
lady. They procured all sorts ol delays to the granting probate of the 
colonel's will, and with half a score colliers from Newcastle Sir Francis en- 
tered Croft hall during Sir William's absence at Darlington. On returning, 
Sir William and a party found Liddell in possession of old Nicholas's 
chamber, wherein stood a desk with the will and proceedings on which it 
was grounded. The invaders were ejected, and had not the power to convey 
these awa}% which Chaytor very properly observes, was to him " a great 
providence." It happened after this, that, Agnes s mother being in posses- 
sion of part of the house, she was prevailed upon to let Lady Liddell come 
and remain with her, which, says Sir William, " was a great grievance to 
me, she always studying ways to torment me. At last, pretending to be 
friends, she prevailed with widow Chaytor [the colonel's relict who had 
another part of the mansion and who, in consideration of the kindness of 
her husband Chaytor to her children the Dodsworths, settled her annuity 
out of Croft upon his legatees] and her steward to let her a piece of ground 
(the stinking pits) to keep her coach horses in, promising to pay me a rent, 
but instead thereof, kept possession in the name of the whole estate, which 
forced me to bring ejectments and we had a trial at York assizes, where I 
obtained a verdict to my great charge of above 00 &'., and I enjoyed the 
estate peaceably afterwards." 

The descendants therefore of Agnes, this spirited representative of the first 
line of the heirs of Clervaux, — who had to be content with a fortune of 1000/. 
settled upon her by her father, — have gained nothing further than '-men's 
opinions, and their living blood." Of these, the Forsters of Bambrough 
belong to general history The world of letters has a property in John 
Fen wick, Esq., of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, whom, I may safely style my 
most worthy and faithful kinsman and friend It is unnecessary to pane- 
gyrize a man who by his honour and talents has won so largely the 
esteem of his literary companions, and the affectionate respect of those who 
benefit by his experience and view him as one of the last of all his cotem 
porary chivalry. His various tracts bear with elegance of touch, the most 
valuable legal authorit3 r , and a far more important character, a stern uncom- 
promising reflection of the modest religion of their author.* 

The new possessor of Gvoit was the grandson ol Thomas Chaytor the 
darling son of old Christopher the patriarch of the race who succeeded his 
father in his appointments, and left behind him a singular chronie'e com- 
posed of prayers, annals of racing, floods, funerals, and feasting , his 
" agieuish dreams and sloomes all night," his "marvellous coughs," wooings 
and winnings, wheatsheaves and wants, and a curious account of King 
James's progress to Scotland in 1617. Through the whole of the entries a 
deep tone of piety, resignation, and sole trust in providence is very patent, 
and his mention of his brother Anthony and his children by no means 
countenances the illnatured remark that he was a false brother. Sir William 
Chaytor also left many curious autobiographies Nothing better than an 
empty baronetcy was the reward for the continued loyalty of his family. 
After passing his time from "ICG6 to 1675 with indifferency as to matri- 

* They are privately printed. One of Mr. Fenwick's most valuable essays, a profound 
mastering of the great principle of the Revolution, blushes as a modest preface to a short 
genealogy of the Radclyffes, in allegiance to whom at the crisis of 1715 the star of Fen- 
wick waned. 



CHAYTOR OF CUOrT. 



IXXlX 



mony, making his observation of the general anagreeableiiess of married 
people, where he was conversant," he wedded a Cradock, of that crafty race 
to whom he had had an utter aversion. In consideration of great advance- 
ment in lands and money, which his father-in-law only promised, he so 
settled his estates that he could not traffick with them. Heavy incum- 
brances, the debts of his loyal father, and accumulated interest pressed him 
to the ground, and the sole resource was an Act of Parliament allowing the 
sale of the Chaytor estates for the payment of debts and furnishing of por- 
tions for younger children, reserving those of Clervaux for his heirs. It was 
all insufficient. For 1 7 years he dragged out a miserable existence in the 
liberties of the Fleet prison, reduced to absolute penury,* and sharing his 
last shilling with two or three scamps of sons ; one of whom in drunken 
dotage, by the cleverness of an attorney, who in a recovery had given him the 
reversion in fee and who had not a drop of Chaytor blood flowing in his 
veins, was induced to sign a will giving Croft to this sharp practitioner in 
trust for his heirs, with remainder to the lawyer himself. Sir William, in 
titter despondency, died childless. 

The scene brightens. After long attempts by the broken-hearted baronet 
and his heirs to set aside the will, the attorney was induced to sell his in- 
terest, which although a prospective and doubtful one, was of extreme 
inconvenience in locking up the estate and preventing the heirs making pro- 
per marriages by reason of not allowing settlements. And then a season of 
continued exertion brought up the family from a depth of trouble to which 
many a gallant cavalier had hurried his children, and from whence but few 
of them ever emerired at all. 



* He was continually pawning an old ring, which he culls " Old Clervaux," and which 
doubtless gave the impressions on comparatively late Chaytor documents of the insignia of 
Clervaux only. 




Ixxx 



FAMILY OF CLERVAUX, 




The Seal of John Lord Scrope of Bolton, in 1465, from 
his exchange of Croft with Richard Clervaux. The 
curious seals on the last page are those of Alan Menel 
of lngleton and his wile Johanna, in 1357, from the 
Clervaux archives. 



FAMILY OF BARNES. \ xxx [ 



IV. BARNES. 

This may truly be termed the Balival family of Darlington. It 
produced, either of the name or relationship, at least seven bailiffs of the 
Borough. The early part of the pedigree, prior to the grandfather of the 
Bishop, is principally from an illuminated pedigree drawn up in the Bishop's 
lifetime, in the possession of the late Sir Win, Ohaytor, checked by Collins's 
account of the family. Hugh de Berbers occurs in Domesday as holding 
Evresdone in Cambridgesh. 

William Bjernes* knt., d. 14 Ric. I. (amis, afterwards quartered by Bourchier, 
Quarterly, or and vert.) [The Barnes or Barney family of Bercheston, Wore, accor- 
ding to Visit. 1569, bore these arms with a cinquefoil in the centre, and a Jarrcacle goose 
proper for a crest.] He had 

Ralph Bjernes, knt., d. 8 Johnt, who had 

Ralph Bjernes, knt., 46 Hen. III., took part with the Barons in 49 Hen. III., was 
sheriff of Berkshire 13-14 Edw. I. and died 25 Edw. I. seized of the manors of Iseldon 
(vulgo Islington) com. Midd. ; West-Horslegh in Surrey, of the inheritance of his wife 
Christiana d. and h. of Hugh Fitz-Other ; Ikelingham in Suffolk, and Bernestone, 
Rothings and Berwyke in Essex. He had 

Edmund Barnes, knt., 31 Edw. I. ag. 26, and in Gascony on his father's death, who 
by Alice his wife hadj 

Sir John Bjernes, knt., of Berneston in Essex, 5 Edw. III. d. 35 Edw. III. and had 
by Nichola his wife 

i. James Baernes, knt., of Berners and Roding in Essex, a great favourite of 
Richard II. In the 11th year of the reign, when the great lords were prevalent, 
he and other reputed enemies to the public were arrested of treason, and com- 
mitted to Bristol Castle. In the middle of May he was condemned in 
Parliament and beheaded (being " a lustv young man") on Tower hill, with Sir 
John Beauchamp. By his wife Anne§, (d. 4 Hen. IV., 1402-3,) he had 

i. Richard Bsernes, of West Horsley, " Lord and Baron of Bcernes," d. 5 Hen. V. Mar. 
Philippa d. Thomas Knolles, citizen and alderman of" London^". She died 9 Hen. V. 
leaving issue 

Margaret, heiress, who married first John Feriby, esq.; second John Burchier, 
knt., "-who in her right was made Lord of Baernes", and by her had issue 
the Bourchiers, barons of Berners or Barnes. 

ii. Thomas, of Writtle, Essex, whose grandchild John Berners, esq., in days -when 
" Richard that sweet lovely rose" and his followers were once more in favour, was 
gentleman usher to the destined queen of Henry VII., and sewer to her brother 
Edward V. 

in. William, ancestor of Berners of Finchingfield in Essex. 

jr. Edmund. 

hi. John, of Amerden-hall, Essex, whose son Nicholas left a d. and h. Catherine 
in. to Sir Thomas Findern. 

Edmund Brines, knt. " This Edmund with his sons having espoused the part of 
King Richard II., whose marshall he was, was proscribed by Henry IV. of Lancaster 
and had his estate confiscated. His sons following various courses with varying 

* So the roll. In 6 Ric I. Robert de Berners gave 200 marks for obtaining the king's 
favour and restitution of his lands. 

T Q,u. if not an error for 8 Hen. III. in which year the king enjoined tbe Sheriff of 
Sussex to make livery to the Bishop of Ely of all the goods and chattels of Ralphe de 
Berners in his manors of Bromfield, Black Nuttelegh, and Newenton, to distribute for the 
health of his soul. 

% Another Sir Ralph is interposed by Collius from a MS. in Bibl. Joh. Anstis. as living 
temp. Edw. II. 

§ A lice, according to the same MS. who remarried to Sir Roger Clarendon knt. base 
sou to Edward Prince of Wales, and died in 1408. 

U Philippa, d. of Edmund Dalingrug. Ibid. 

3E 



lxxxii 



FAMILY OF BARNES. 



fortune, at length settled in divers parts, whence the orign of the Barnes's now 
existing." He had 

i. Oliver. 

ii. James, ts dictus Surreius" 

in. Ralph, lived in the county of York. 

Oliver, "dictus Sudovelgius"" resided in the province of Lancaster. (Arms : — Quar- 
terly or and vert, on a fess sable, 3 estoiles of the first). Mar. Eleanor, d. John 
Gerrard of Ince in Lancashire, esq., (azure, a lion rampant ermine, ducally crowned), 
They had issue 

Edmund B^ernes of Lancashire, gentleman. Mar. Elizabeth d. John Ashton of 
Penketh, esq. (arg. a chevron between 3 mascles gu.) and had 

Edwin Bjernes of Lancashire, gentleman. Mar. Emma d. John Dichfeild of Ditton, 
esq. (az. 3 pine apples arg.) and had 

James Barnes of Lancashire, gent. Mar. Alice d. Henry Lancaster of Rainhill, co., 
Lane, esq. (ar. 2 bars gules ; on a canton of the second a lion passant of the first) and 
had 

Edward Barnes of Lancashire, gent. Mar. Jane d Bold of Bold*, co. 

Lane, (arg. a griffin segreant sable, beaked and legged gules) and had 

John Barnes of Bold in Lancashire, gent. " Mr. John Barnes father to my Lord 
of Durham," bur, 29 June, 1584, at St. Andrew's Auckland. Mar. Agnes, d. Henry 
Sanderson of Dytton quce et ipsa de familia Boldorum, (azure, a bend argent charged 
Avith a bear passant sable ; on a chief of the second three roses gules radiated with rays 
of the sun proper). They had 



i. Richard Baernes, or Barnes, the bishop of Durham, 1577, b. at Bold, called by 
some youngest son, but by a pedigree in Coll. Arms, the eldest. In the illumi- 
nated pedigree already mentioned he is placed in the centre, the compiler's 
mode of expressing seniority. The arms also are not differenced. The time of 
his birth coincides with the latter statement, he d. 24 Aug., 1587, ag. 55, and 
therefore 52 years elapsed between his birth and his father's death in 1584. 
Upon his promotion to the see of Carlisle, he had (13 Eliz.) a new grant of arms 
which were composed of those of Sanderson, with the addition of a Barnes 
estoile argent at each side of the bend, and a naked child upon the latter, which 
the bear is ready to devour. These probably refer to the history of Elisha 
commanding a bear to devour the bairns, as a foolish pun upon the bishop's 
name. On the accession to the see of Durham he continued to use them, and 
his chancery seal dated 1571 gives a noble rose en soliel as in the arms, in which 
his shield (on which the said monstrosity is impaled with the cross flory and 
the lions of the see) is most sweetly nestled. Above are two arms descending 
from the clouds, containing the book of doctrine and scourge of discipline. In 
later years the prelate eschewed the pun, and his later episcopal seal gives the 
old arms (which were confirmed to him in 1580) quarterly with Sanderson. 
These, with a bear passant, sable on a wreath of or and vert., both differenced 
with a lable, appear in the illuminated pedigree for his son Emanuel, besides 
whom he left issue, several sons and daughters. 

ii. Henry Barnes, said in the Visit., 1615, to be brother to the bishop and " eldest 
sonne," probably an error for " second sonne," as the arms entered are those 
worn by Barnes of Lancashire in 1584, and by the bishop, with the crescent of a 
second son for difference, though this might be occasioned by William of Bed- 
borne, his son being a second son. He is not named by Strype. 

in. John Barnes, L.L.D., rector of Haughton-le-Skerne, 1578, and justice itinerant 
to the Queen within the co. pal., 1584, bur. at Haughton, 17 Apr., 1591. He 
bought up several parcels in Haughton Field and Darlington, including Hundon 
Closes, from the Pudsays and Killinghalls; some of them are described in 1582 
as being on the south of the King's-street, leading frem Halghton town to 
Darnton town, called Innell-lonyng , or Halghton-lane. " This dede was 
executed signed sealed and delivered upon the ground within specifyed &c." 
His seal presents Barnes and Sanderson quarterly, with the bear crest, as 
in the illuminated pedigree, which, as it alone mentions him of all the bishop's 
brothers and is in the possession of his descendants, was probably a copy made 
for his use. By his wife Mary f he had 



* Bold is in the parish of Prescot. The Prescots of Darlington bore arms similar to 
those of their Lancashire namesakes. I have also seen mention of Glover of Prescot, as 
well as Glover of Darlington. Did a whole.pos.se comitatus follow the steps of Bishop Barnes ? 

+ In Sep. 1617, Thomas Chaytor was a commissioner in a cause "betwixt Mr John 
Featherstonhalgh, and Mr Topsail and his wife laite the wife of Doctor Barnes and they 
both wer maid his executors, but flinched from yt." 



FAMILY OF BARNES. lxxxiii 

I. Richard, bp. 27 Dec, 1585, bur. 28 Oct., 1586, at Haughton. 

1. Fredismonda, bp. 12 Oct., 1582, bur. 15 Jan. following. Haughton. 

2. Anne, daughter and co-heiress, bp. 22 July, 1584, at Haughton, d. s. p. lo99. Inq.p. m. 

30 June, 1599, Anne Place, late wife of William Place, gen. deceased, who died seized 
of | the manor of Little Haughton, or Haughton Field, Freth Moore, &c, &c, all held 
of the bishop in capite by one pair of shoes, or Gd., and worth beyond reprises, (5/. per 
ann. 

3. Elizabeth, bp. 13 Feb. 1586, bur. IMay 3588, at Haughton. 

4. Margaret, daughter and co-heiress, bp. 5 Jan., 1588, at Haughton, and heiress to her 

sister, 1599. She was the wife ot William Lambton, of Great Staynton, Esq., and died 
1631. Her two daughters and co-heiresses. Margaret and Anne, are represented by the 
Allans and Chaytors, as will be seen on reference to the pedigrees of those families. 

in. iv. v. Oliver, Edmund, Edwin. * 

vi. James, " Jacobus Barnes, sep. 27 July { All married according to 

1593." (St. Mary le Bow, Durham.) f Stripe, ii. 484. 

vii. Edward. J 

Elizabeth, liv. 1590, wife to Francis Bold of Cranshaw co. Lane. 

Henry Barnes, second son, mar d. of Gifford, probably 

a near relation of the bishop's first wife Fridesmunda d. Ralph Giffard of Buckingham- 
shire, esq., or one of the kindred race of the name at Darlington. They had 

i. John, liv. 1605. 
ii. William, 
hi. Richard, liv. 1 605. 
iv. James, liv. 1 605. 

William Barnes, of Bedborne Park, gent., of Darlington in 1604, Bailiff of Dar- 
lington, and Coroner of Darlington Ward : Will 26 Sep. 1591, names cousin John 
Barnes of Durham (who would be the Bishop's son, and clerk of the Peace ; bur. 1613, 
at Bow Church, Durham) : bur. 17 Oct. 1605, at Darlington. Mar. Barbara, d. Thos. 
Turner of Darlington, bur. in the church (as '' Barbary Lisle of D. widow") 19 July, 
1630, her son Thomas paying 6s. 8d. for the layer stalie of his mother. Barnes is said 
to have been her first husband. Ralph Evers of Edgenole, esq., her second. The order 
should perhaps be reversed ; for her third, John Lisle of Darlington and Bedborne, was 
Bailiff of Darlington in 1606. He was some time of Durham City, and was brother 
of James Lisle of Barmston and Durham (father of Talbot Lisle the loyalist of 
Biddick) being grandson of Percival Lisley of Hart (Philpot II. 154) the second son of 
Sir Humphrey Lisle of Felton, by Margaret Bowes of the palatinate. He died s. p. 
before 2 May, 1623, when his will was proved by the lady who now was widow for the 
third time. Barnes and his wife had 

i. Emanuel, bur. 23 Jan. 1590 (probably named after the Bishop's son Dr. Emanuel 
Barnes). 

ii. Christopher Barnes, of Darlington, gent., s. and h. bp. 19 Nov., 1590 ; ag. 24, 
1615, when he attests the pedigree : Bailiff of Darlington 1625, p. m. Lisle, and 
Coroner of Darlington Ward : d. s- p. seised of a burgage in Skinnergate and 
of lands called Glassensikes and Windmill Hill : bur. 5 Mar., 1630-1, in Darling- 
ton church. 

in. Thomas. 

iv. Henry, under age, 1605. [Mr. Hen. Barnes, clarke of Bradley Burne forge, 1631. 
— Henry Barnes, of Witton-le-Wear, gent., compounded for his estate in the 
civil wars for £20.— Henry Barnes, gent., Bailiff and keeper of the Castle of 
Stockton. — Hen. Barnes, of Dalton Piercy, gent., a referee in the Stockton 
Commons Division, 1658. — Mr. Henry Barnes, of Dalton Piercy, a worthe 
gentleman, was buried in the body of the parish church of Hart, before his 
own seat or pew, ob. 19 Nov., 1703. {Hart.)} 

v. William, bp. 30 Apr., 1597, under age, 1605. 

1. Bridget, m. Bryan Belte, gent., of Escombe, and afterwards of Darlington, who 

was bur. in Darlington church 5 May, 1634, Mr. Thos. Barnes paying his lay re - 
stall. 

2. Anne, bp. 30 June, 1594, w Rich. Heron, esq., Brockenfield, co. Nd. 

3. Margaret, bp. 27 Oct., 1595, liv. 1605. 

4. Elizabeth, liv. unm. 1642. 

5. Jane, m. 9 May, 1626, at Darlington, to Robert Place of Hurworth. Their eldest 

son Wm., mentd. by his uncle Thos. Barnes in 1642. [Who was Jane Barnes 
that married Robert Parkinson, at Darlington, in 1605.] 

6. Dorothy, liv. 1605. 

7. Mary, bp. 20 Nov., 1604, bur. 9 Feb-, 1604-5, at Darlington. 

Thomas Barnes, of Darlington, gent., a royalist delinquent bp. 22 Nov., 1591, 
heir to his brother Christopher, and adm. as such to a copyhold field called Polam 
(Glassensikes) parcel of the office of punder of Darlington : steward of Darlington 



lxxxiv 



FAMILY OF BARNES. 



Borough 1615 and 1616: bought Huntington's close of John Lisle 1618: Bailiff' of 
Darlington, 1625, p. res. Chr. Barnes : will 17 Nov. 1642 ; " brother-in-law Kauff 
Pudsey, esq. ; brother-in-law Anthony Watson ; the poor of Darlington 101. for a 
stock ; Rowland Place of Dinsdale, esq., and Nicholas Chaytor of Haughton Field, 
esq., supervisors : bur. 25 following at St. Helen's Auckland. These dates agree with 
the strange circumstances narrated in the following extracts. " Did they (the Scots, 
&c.) not rob and plunder sundry of his majestie's leige people at Dornton, in such cruell 
manner, that the prime officer of the toune died of greife within three or foure days ? 
Did they not give an assault upon Piers- bridge to their losse V (Answer of Earl of 
Newcastle to Fairfax's aspersions, Lond. 1642J " For this plundering at Darnton, as 
you say of the Romish Communion, so say I, perhaps the souldier might reach forth 
his hand further than his commander gave him leave as is usuall in times of Warre, 
and scarce preventable. And for the losse at Piercebrig, we know little, but a losse of 
powder and shot on our parts, and a losse of a Howard, Colonell, and others on yours." 
C Observations on the above answer, 1643.) The Piersbridge fray took place on Dec. 2. 

Barnes married Margaret who was bur. 1625-6, at Darlington, and had 

issue 

i. William. 

ti. Thomas, bp. the day of his mother's burial at Darlington : called an apprentice 
in London, in his father's will, 1642. 

William Barnes, of Darlington, and afterwards of Low Coniscliffe, gent., a staunch 
royalist delinquent ; will 10 Mar. 1666, " to be buried at Croft church, in the place 
where my former relations were buried ; friend Leonard Pilkington one 225. piece 
of gould, to buy him a ring with ; Rob. Cuthbert, of D., one 22s. piece of gould, 
and to his sonn Wm. my little Galloway mare ; kinsman Wm. Chaitor, of Croft, esq., 
five angells of gould ; the same to friend Mr. Ralph Willy of Cockerton ; kinsman 
Wm. Place, of Darlington, gent., my lease of the tolls of Darlington Burrow [which 
had been held by his grandfather Wm. Barnes and Barbary ux. and his uncle Chr. in 
43 Eliz.] ; Mr Chr. Place and Anne Place, bro. and sister to the said Wm. : my friend 
Edw. Dunwell of D. my great gray gelding and my best Spanish suite trimmed with 
red ribbins ; Wm. Smith of Stappleton and Joane Trotter 20s. each in gould ; witness 
Eliz. Tunstell ; Wm. Place and Wm. Chaytor supervisors." By his first wife Elizabeth 
d. John Calverly, of Eryholme, Yks., knt., who was bur. in Darlington church, 19 Nov., 
1 655, her layrestall remaining unpaid for till 1657 (a wedding probably putting the 
funeral six months before out of the memory of her tearless spouse). He had 

William, br. 11 Dec 1647, at Brancepeth. 

A Child, bur. in Darlington church about 1650, when the layrestall was paid for. 

And by his second wife Elizabeth, d. John Buck, esq., of Sadberge (last publication 
of banns at Darlington 11 May, 1656), his widow 26 Mar. 1666, he had 

Lay ton Barnes, bp. 14 Oct., 1659, bur. 21 Oct. 1664, at Darlington. 
Dorothy. 

Dorothy Barnes, sole heiress, named as under age in her father's will, in Sadberge 
Reg. as " The Hon. Lady Brown, who was baptized in this chappel 7 August, l&JO 
[some error] ; in memory whereof she gave a pulpit-cloath and cushion of red shagg in 
the year 1725" : built the market cross of Darlington, which is inscribed " This Cross : 
Erected : By : Dame : Dorothy : Brown 1727." Mortgaged the Town-end fields, 
Dickon-Kists and Thorney Beck closes in Darlington tsp. to George Buck of D. gent., 
for 400£, 1686: Married' first at Norton, 16 Sep., 1674, Michael Blackett, gent., an 
alderman (sheriff 1676) of Newcastle-on-Tyne ; and son of Sir Wm. Blackett bart., 
b. 5 bp. 10 Aug. 1652 : Bailiff of Darlington by patent 1680 : entered 1674 jure 
uxoris the d. and h. of Mr. Wm. Barnes dec. in those two stalls in Darlington church 
" which was her father's and built by her predecessors :" d. 26, bur. 29 Apr., 1683 (M. 
I. St. Nic. N. C.) ; and had 

Elizabeth, only child, bp. 1 Feb. 1676 : d. 12 Jan. 1677. (M. I. St. Nic. N. C.) 

Second Sir Richard Brown of London, bart. (art. before mar. 30 Sep., 1688), d. bef. 
17 Aug. 1691 ; and third John Moore, D. D., Bishop of Ely, who d. 1714, having had 

i. Daniel Moore, of par. S. Andrew, Holborn, esq. : Bailiff of Darlington by patent 

1710 : d. s. p. 
ii. William Moore, esq., d. s. p. 
in. Charles Moore, of the Inner Temple, esq. ; steward of Darlington 1733 : Bailiff 

of Darlington by patent 1736 : took a lease of Darlington tolls 1731. He m. 

Elizabeth admix, to her husband Feb. 1738. 



FAMILY OF BOWER. lxxxv 



V. BOWER OF OXENLEFIELD. 

Arms. Gu. a human leg, couped at the thigh or, vulned and transfixed by a spear 
broken chevronwise ; the point downwards to the sinister ppr. : on a canton az. surmounted 
by the dexter half of the spear, the arch of a bridge embattled of the third, thereon a 
castle triple-towered of the second. — Surtees. [In the cut given in Sharp and Taylor's 
edition of the Visit. 1615, the arch is nothing more than the door of the castle, and the 
spear does not surmount the canton.] 

Crest. On a wreath, a human leg, couped at the thigh ppr. charged above the knee 
with a plate, and distilling therefrom drops of blood. 

The Bowers of Bridlington, Welham, Scorton, Killerby Hall and Tickhill in Yorksh. 
bore similar arms with a change of tincture. 

William Bower of Latham, Lancash. m. Jane dau. of Brick well, and 

had issue 

i. William Bower, or Bore, of Oxenlefield, gent., in 1615, having bought that manor 
of Thomas Brickwell (probably a relation) in 1602. He settled oue third of his 
hamlet or grange of Oxnetfield on Francis Anderson and Roger Anderson (see 
his dau. Jane) to uses, and by indenture 22 Dec. 16 Jac. another third on Sir 
Robert Jackson, knt., and Win. Bore, jun., to which latter he granted a burgage 
on Head Raw in 1618. The adm. took place in 1622, after the grantor was dead. 
In 1621 he gave to Bulmer Prescoteof Darlington, marchant, and Wm. Rotheram 
of Blackwell, yeo., his burgage on the Heade Rawe bounded by the King's street 
on the S. and E. to the use of himself and his bro. Richard for their lives, rem. 
Wm. Bower, junior, who in 1625 possessed the right of the said Richard for his 
life and was adm. Bur. as Guilielmus Bower senior de Oxenetfielde, 20 May 1 622. 
He m. Elizabeth, dr. Capt. Robert Carre (Sharp and Taylor ; Gam, Surtees.) of 
Berwick upon Tweed, bur. 24 July 1611, having had issue 

1. Margaret, d. and coh., bp. 30 Oct. 1591 ; m. Stephen Jackson of Berwick upon Tweed, 

by whom she had issue Robert (the Sir Robert Jackson, knt., of 16 Jas. ?) 

2. Jane, d. and coh., bp. 25 Mar. 1593, m. 20 Jan. 1613-4 to Roger Anderson of Newcastle 

upon Tyne. As there was no other Roger contemporaneously marriageable, this mar- 
riage upsets Surtees's statement that Roger's first wife Anne Jackson was " the wife 
of Roger Anderson." bur. 19 Nov. 1620, at St. Nicholas. From the baptism of his d. 
Dorothy she was clearly Jane Bower, and I think it worth while to give this new 
genealogy in a note.* 

* Francis Anderson, of NC, merchant and sheriff 1595, mayor 1601, 1612, br. 26 Apr., 
1623, mi. Barbara Nicholson 13 Dec, 1581, and had issue (besides a number of other 
children not to my purpose) 

Dorothy, bp. 28 Mar., 1584, probably she who m. Simon Giffard in 1637-8, (see p. 131). 
Roger. 

Roger Anderson, of NC, merchant, afterwards of Jesmond, gent., sheriff 1612, bp. 5 
Dec, 1585, br. 1 Sep. 1622, will 28 Aug., id. an. m. 1. Anne dr. Wm. Jackson, of NC, 14 
Apr. 1612 ; 2, Jane Bower, at Darlington 20 Jan. 1613-4, bur. 19 Nov. 1620, by whom he had 
issue 

i. Francis, afterwards Sir Francis Anderson, of Bradley, knt., and a noted loyalist, 
who by Jane Dent of Barnard- Castle originated the Andersons of Bradley, par. 
Ryton. This worthy, who was bp. 21 Dec, 1614, is called by Surtees the son of 
Anne Jackson, but in the visit, 1615, he is expressly given as one of the coheirs 
of Wm. Bower through his dr. Jane. 

2. Dorothy, bp. 26 Dec, 1615, sureties John Wilkinson, gent, [her uncle, who mar. 

Jane Bower's sister Elizabeth] Lady Margaret Selby and Mrs. Jane Burrell, at 
St. Andrews. 

3. Barbara, liv. 1622. 

4. Anne, bp. 21 Feb., 1618, liv. 1622., bur. 30 Aug., 1626, at St. John's. 

5. Elizabeth, bp. 9 Nov., 1620, d. an infant [her mother probably died in childbed.] 

He m. 3. Adeline, dr. George Brabant of Brancepeth East Park, named after Adeline 
Neville, widow of Tho. Lawson of Cramlington esq. ; she rem. for her 3rd husband James 
Cholmley of Brancepeth and Durham, gent. 

Henry, bp. Feb. 1621, at St. Andrews, was of this marriage. 
The dates are from St. Nicholas. 



lxxxvi 



FAMILY OF BOWER. 



I 



3. Elizabeth, d. and con., bp. 1 Apr. 1594, bur. 30 Mar., 1622, at Merrington, m. John 

Wilkinson, of Ferry Hill, and Oxenlefield, (jure vxoris) gent., dead in 1617. (See 
Snrtees, ii. 349). Of this marriage sprung Mary and Elizabeth, (both living in 1615,) 
Philadelphia bp. 30 July, 1619, Catherine 1 Nov., 1620, both at Merrington, and 
Cuthbert, who as s. John Wilkinson, late of Oxenfield, co. Dur., gent., deceased, was 
apprenticed to Thomas Maddison, merchant and boothman, of NC, 1 Sep., 1647, 
"committed fornication within tearme and confessed it to Mr Governor, 1655. ! * 

4. Robert, bp. 11 Apr., 1595, bur. 15 Sep. following. 

5. An infant daughter, bur. \6 Mar. 1596. 

6. Tobias, bp. 12 June. 1597, br. 10 Jan. following. 

7. Catherine, bp. 11 Feb., 1598-9, br, 8 June following. 

ii. Thomas. 

hi. Richard, m 29 Sep., 1625, to Agnes Branson. Richard Bower of Bondgate in 
Darlington, bur. 4 Apr. 1628. Anne Bower, widow, of Darlington, br. 20 May, 

Qu. 4. Dorothy Bower, m. Peter Moore, 6 Mar. 1603. 

^ Thomas Bower, held copyhold property in Blackwell, and was dead in 1619, when, 
his son William was adm. to it and demised the same to Elizabeth Clervaux, wife 
■wife of Ralph Clarvaux, probably his sister. She was m. 21 May, 1618. The mar. 
lie. being between Ra. Clarvaux par. Blacktoft, Howdenshire, and Elizabeth Bore par. 
Darlington. This 

William Bower, the junior named by his uncle, was of Blackwell in 1623, of 
Oxneltfeilde in 1631, yeoman. Acquired a burgage on le Head Rawe ftom John 
Wickliffe of Thorp, Yorks., in 1622-3, and sold a burgage to Anthony Eastgait 
in 1628. Churchwarden in 1632, and signed the registers by a mark. Will 8 Aug., 
1646, of Darneton, yeoman — to be buried in the churche in my uncles grave, [1633, Reed, 
of Wm . Bower for the litle seate in the south side of the stall whereon his unckle 
Bower did sit 12c?.]— son William 160£. — son Robert 100£. — dau. Elizabeth 140£. — son 
Cuthbert and dau. Elizabeth executors. Witness, William, Thomas, and John Corn- 
forth. Guilielmus Boer de Darlington, sepultus 18 Aug., 1646. He m. Anne 

bur. 3 Dec, 1665, (will 2 May previous, mentions grandchild Tho. Emerson) and had 
issue 

i. William Bower, bp. 15 July, 1623 ; adm. as Will. Boore, alias Bower, son and 
heir to his father's Blackwell property, bur. 16 Oct., 1651, "of Darlington, 
Batch'Iour." 

ii. Robert, a legatee of 1646. 

in. Cuthbert. 

4. Elizabeth bp. 15 Oct., 1635. Thomas Emerson, of Hilclose House, and Elizabeth 
Bower, of Darlington, published 3rd time 25 June, 1654. 

" Cuthbert Bower alias Boare," or Boer, bp. 12 Dec, 1631, (the entry is in his 
own writing, and an insertion, as I found by comparison with his signature,) of Dar- 
lington, butcher, in 1656, of Skippbriggs, par. Hurworth in 1673 and 1685, in which 
former year he sold part of 2 burgages in Blackwellgate which he heired by his father's 
will (the houses at the corner of the High Row, settled on his father by Wm. Bower, 
senior, in 1621) and in the latter was still a freeholder here. Bur. 1 Aug. 1689. 

He m., 1655-6, Thomasine dr. Lawrence Stainsby, of Cockerton, who was bur. 13 
Apr., 1681, having borne him issue 

1. Anne, bap. 11 Dec, 1656. 

2. Elizabeth, bp. 10 Feb., 1657-8. 

3. Jane, bp. 21 July, 1664. 

4. Dorothy, bp. 3 Feb. 1666-7. 

I suspect that the two following Williams might be son and grandson of Cuthbert. 

William Bore, of Darlington, " poor," bur. 13 Oct., 1727, as William Bover of D. 
gardiner. His dau. Hannah, was bp. 12 Apr., 1698, br. 14 June, 1704. 

William Bore, called jun., in 1726, which he had ceased in Nov., 1727, of D., 
labourer. His dau. Anne was bp. 1726, br. 28 Nov., 1727. 

There was a Brian Boow, of Darlington, who had a son Wm., bp. 30 Sep., 1690. 

The whole family presents a pitiable declension from good to worse and worse. 
" Gentleman — yeoman — butcher — poor gardener — labourer." 



FAMILY OF ILE. lxxxvii 



VI. ILE. 

This family evidently derives its name from the old del Ile, and the visitation pedigree 
of 1666, entered by Robert He of Newcastle, begins with "Robert He of Darnton, 
acknowledged by Lisle* of Felton [Northumberland] to be a descendant of that family." 
It was, however, respited for proof of arms. I believe John Lisle the bailiff (see p. 
lxxxiii) to have had no immediate connection with the present line. At a later period 
one Mark Lisle was a dissenting minister here. "Shaftoe dan. of Mark Lisle, formerly 
Dissenting Teacher at Darlington, bur. 8 Mar., 1728-9." He had lived at Startforth, 
near Barnard Castle, " Lyonel, son of Mr. Lisle, a dissenting teacher, born 19 June, 
1720" appearing in Startforth Register. 

Isle, of Darlington, m a sister of George Fennye of 

Darlington, (see p. 130,) and had issue 

i. Christopher He, Isle, or Ilee, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, (whither his Fennye con- 
nections would naturally lead him,) apothecary, mentioned in his uncle George 
Fennye's will " to nephew Christopher Ilee, il. per ann. out of Clarybutts." 
Will dated 30 April, 1614, naming- his daughters Barbara, Elinor, Alice, and 
Elizabeth, all then living ; his cousin Clement He ; his aunt, wife of M r. Robert 
Surtees , of Durham ; and his kinsmen Sir Peter Ridell and Mr- Robert Shafto." 
He in. at St Nicholas, Newcastle, (where the whole of the succeeding baptisms, 
&c, in this pedigree took place, except where otherwise expressed), Alice Carr, 
10 Dec, 1593. She was probably a dan. of Oswald Carr, of NC, merchant, and 
if so was bap. 5 Feb., 1575. Became administratrix to her husband 7 Feb.. 
1614, and was bur. 23 May, 1632. Mr. Robert Anderson, Mr. Nicholas Tempest, 
and Mrs. Alice He sureties at the bap. of Robert s. Mr. More, physissioner, 
(whose prescriptions were probably made up by Christopher lie, and the inti- 
macy readily arise,) at St. John's, NC, 8 Mar. 1614-15. Nicholas Tempest, gent., 
Mrs. Elinor Clavering, and Mrs. Alice lie, sureties at the bap. of Elinor d. 
Anthony Swinborne, gent., at the same place, 27 Nov., 1615. Alice Lyll 
surety at the baptisms of Thomas s. Robert Maltland, 5 Dec, 1614, and Anna 
d. John Reasley, 12 Nov., 1615, also at St. John's, being accompanied on the 
latter occasion by Oswald Chaytor, par. clerk of St. John's, and Anna Ogle. By 
her Chr. He had issue 

i. Robert, bp. 30 Mar., 1595, br. 16 Jan., 1599. 

2. Jane, bp. 20 June, 1596, br. 23 Mar., 1618-19, having m. Cuthbert Ellison of Newcastle, 

merchant adventurer, the ancestor of Ellison of Hebburne. 

3. Barbara, bp. 25 Apr. 1598, m. 19 June, 1615, to Anthony Ellington. 

4. Eleanor, bp. 6 Sep., 1599, liv. 1614, m. 14 Feb , 1620-1, to William Anderson. Ellinor 

lie, sponsor at a bap. at St. Andrews, NC, 1619. 

5. Alice bp. 14 Apr., 1601, m. 4 Feb., 1618-19, to Henry Shadforth, as Alles Tie. 

6. Elizabeth, bp. 6 July, 1603, liv. 1614. 

7. Mary, bp. 21 Apr., 1605, br. 10 Mar., 1605 6. 

ii. Robert Ile, of whom presently. 

in. 1 Thomas Ile, or Hey, of Cockerton, m. Margaret Rickby, 14 July, 1597, at 

Darlington, where she was bur. 3 May, 1607, Thomas Leighley a defendant in 

the Borough Court in 1618, and goods attached. 
iv.« " Elliner He" bur. 28 June, 1610, at St. Nicholas, belonged I suspect to this 

generation, as her name occurs in the families of her brother Christopher and 

nephew Bulmer. 

Robert Ile, Ilee, or Iley, of Darlington, witness to and legatee under his uncle 
Geo. Fennye's will of a house in Darlington. Overseer of the Tubbwell in 1612. Br. 
8 Feb., 1632-3, at Darlington, his son Bulmer administering to his effects 12 June, 1633. 
He m. Jane , br. 19 Apr., 1630, at Darlington, having issue 

i. Bulmer. 

[Willi Iley and Janne Birkbeck were m. 6 Aug., 1626, at Cainford.f] 

Bulmer or Bowlmer, Ile or Iyle, of Newcastle-upon Tyne, merchant and apothe- 
cary, bur. 25 Nov., 1644. His will dated 22 Jan., 1638-9, will require a few notes. 
Bulmer He of Newcastle, merchant, to be buried in the south porch, lately builded of 

* In the List of St. Paul's Rents, 1667, we have Mr. Robert Lisle. 
t Anne, d. Geo. Ile, of Killerby, bp. 21 Apr., 1680. Denton. 



lxxxviii 



FAMILY OF ILE. 



St. NicJiolas Church, under my own blew stone which I bought from a quarry at the 
Heughin Northumberland ; 40s. to the poore of St. Nicholas parish, and 41. to the church 
worke ; 41. to the church worlce at Darlington [probably alluding to the Jacobean stall 
work in the north transept] ; wife Anne a burgage in the side, son Robert one silver 
beare [beer] bowle, a booke called Jerrard's Herball [he succeeding to the apothecary's 
business and of course in want of the guide to the virtue of simples] and one gunn 
called Harquebus de Crack. This important weapon had probably figured in the 
defence of Newcastle in 1644. Its owner had been assessed 19 Jan., 1642-3, at 6?., and 
his son Robert at 21, towards the loan required by Sir John Mearlay for the payment 
of the garrison (more than three fourths of the townsmen being assessed in sums'under 
51. only) and on the 3 Feb., the Merchant's Company ordered that all the brethren were 
to join in a note of what arms they had, to Thomas Davison. 

Son James, Turner's Herbal [he was a mercer, but still might be in want of such a 
book] and a burgage in the side and closes called Darlington Waistes which 1 had from 
Mr. William Warmouth, Alderman. Thereby hangs a tale. Wearmouth who from 
some undefined reason was the purchaser of various properties in Darlington Parish, 
surrendered a copyhold messuage and land here in 6 Cha. 1. to He, who, in his governor- 
ship of the merchant's company, was admitted to the freedom of the merchants 
by redemption, he paying a large fine for obtaining freedom without any right of 
patrimony or service but simply by favour. Well, some years afterwards at a court of 
the company held in 1672 to decide whether Richard Baites apothecary should be 
admitted to personal freedom, the secretary was about to read the petition, when " Mr 
John Dobson immediately stood up, and handed in (before it could be read) a paper, 
and said it was the apprentices' petition in opposition to the former ; and some other 
brethren seeming very zealous in asserting the privilegee of the company, which they 
were jealous might be intrenched on by such actions, w r ere told that the matter had 
already beene under the consideration of the governor and assistants, whose judgement 
it was, and that upon such grounds (though not fitt to be published) as (they conceived) 
would give any unbiazed person satisfaction. But his admission upon a considerable 
fine would be noe disadvantage to the company, nor any weakening or deminntion of 
their priviledges, of which there divers former presidents, and one especially in the case 
of Mr. Bulmer lie, a person of the same profession, admitted whilst Mr. William 
Warmouth (a grave and judicious magistrate) was governor and one as well versed in 
the law as their priviledges, and that to the satisfaction of the company at the fine one 
hundred markes ; though Mr Dobson was not ashamed most falsely to affirme it in the 
face of the company, that Mr. He was admitted upon the consideration of advancing the 
price of some landes was to be sould to him by the same Mr. Warmouth, which was so 
evilly resented by the cheife of the company, that they judged it fitt he should with- 
draw, and deserved deeply to be fined for such scandalous aspersions upon soe worthy a 
person and benefactor, but was till another opportunity suspended." Baites was 
admitted on agreeing to pay 100£, and at the ensuing meeting Dobscn " upon his 
submissive and ingenious acknowledgment that his aspersions were in his passion, 
indiscreetly and unadvisedly spoken (for which he was troubled) the company were 
pleased in hope of his future moderation to pass by the same." 

To daughter Anne a wine-bowle with the Sarrazains head upon it ; the Bull Line in 
Darlington, and a garth on Brankyn-more. In 1613 Elizabeth Barton lately the wife 
of Ambrose Waller and then the wife of Ralph Coatsworth wos fined at the Borough 
Court for not doing service for the burgage called le Bull and in 1624 John Smith of 
Oswoldkirke co. Ebor. yeo. and Mary ux. one coheir of Ambrose Waller late of Stanck 
co. Ebor. gent, deceased conveyed to He their messuage &c. occupied by Helen Bradley 
upon le South Rawe in Darlington in le markett place commonly called le Bull. Bul- 
mer now became a burgess and paid his relief. Yet although he bought from the 
Wallers, the house was formerly the Buhners'. On the East side of the house at the 
N. W. corner of the Bull Wynd are two ancient stones let in. One is the Bulmer 
Crest, being a long brute of a bull with a tail exactly like a fire-shovel, the other (which 
is near the ground) has in rude Roman capitals the inscription ANT HONE BVLMER 
AND MARIE LASINBIE. These persons might be brother and sister, man and wife, 
or father and daughter, and it may be worthy of remark first as regards He that 
Rowland Lassingby accompanies Bulmer He's father Robert as witness not only to 
George Fennyes will, but to other signatures of the same man about 24 Eliz., and se- 
cond as to Lasinbie that Bowmer or Bulmer Lasonby of Darlington had issue Gascoigne 
Lasonby bp. 15 Apr., 1592, Bowmer Lazanby bp. 10 Mar., 1592-3, Mary bur. 4 Mar., 
1595-6, and Helenora bp. 1 Feb., 1595-6. In these cases, the praenomen Bulmer 
probably actually arose from relationship or connection, but I will not assert that 
Bowmer or Bulmer Priscott bap. 1590 (who also had a grandson Bulmer) Bulmer s. 
Mat. Smart, (by Jane Branson his wife) bp. 1613, Bullmer s. Tho. Lumbley, bp 1616, 
Bulmer s. Tho. Allonson of Oxenetfeild bp. 1623, Bulmer s. Richard Boyes of 



FAMILY OF ILE. hxxix 

Darlington bp. 1632, Ballmer s. Tho. Teward of Darlington bp. 1632, Bulmer s. 
George Car of D. bp. 1638 and Bulmer s. Francis Oswolde of D. br. 1644-5 were all 
named for that reason. For the great Buhners of Tursdale, and Ketton were powerful 
in Buhner's Landes at Aycliffe and different properties in the neighbourhood and as in 
the case of Tempest Raine the son of a yeoman of Stella, territorial juxta position and 
feudal respect often influenced names as well compliments to the sponsors. Neverthe- 
less there were Buhners of Darlington who might have a hand in the matter. Robert 
Robinson sued William Bulmer in 1623 upon a case for saying thou art a theife and 
stole my Iqfe, damage 39s. lie?. This William Bowmer or Bulmer was bur. Jan. 1646-7. 
His wife Jenet was br. 6 Aug. 162] , he waited a couple of months and m. a second wife 
Agnes Gibson on the 21 Oct. following, she bore him Ann bp. 14 Sep. 3 623 (bur. 2 
Mar. 1644-5) and was bur. 13 Sep. 1623. His children Christopher br. 1643, and Mary 
br. 1640 were I suppose by his former wife. Alice wife of Mark Bulmire of Sunder- 
land by sea, sailor, bur. 1 June 1711. 

Besides, Buhner He bought of Tho. Wilson in 1625 a capital messuage on le Church- 
rawe with four pasturegates on Brankinmoor, yielding thence to the churchwardens 
on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul 6s. 8c?.* yearly, and in 1629 two other 
burgages in le Church Rawe of Anthony Raynarde and Thomas Lumley s of John 
Lumley of D. deceased. In 5 Cha I. he was adm. at Nesbett, par. Kaughton to lands 
in Low Mylne Holme and Ashefeild, and in 13 Cha. he purchased from Chr. Hearon a 
close at Cockerton called Mussey Wray, to which his widow Anne was adm. 22 Cha. I. 
Halmot Pis. 

Mention is made in the will of his daughter Marie ; father in law Mr. Lawrence 
Pollard ; brothers John Lunn and John Smith ; Anthony Normane, Scrivener ; wife 
Ann and son James executors. 

Bulmer He m. 1. Agnes Cock on the 26 Jan. 1611-12 sur. at the bap. of Mary d. 
Tho. Rutter 29 Mar. 1614 at St. Johns bur. 7 Dec. 1614, which was apparently the 
day she died, perhaps owing to some pestilent epidemic. Her tombstone in 1817 was 
inspected by Sir C. Sharp in the nave of St. Nicholas and at that time it presented 
several inscriptions of other persons not connected with He and at the foot a coat 

given by Surtees as " Arms a fess between three escallop shells a 

mullet for difference, lie, impaling Ermine on a cross engrailed a mullet 

Pollard: Crest, a demi lion rampant holding between his paws an escallop shell" ; yet 
however remarkable the last coincidence with He's second wife may be, the original 
coat consists of Semee of cloves, a chevron, for the Company of Grocers and Spicers, 
impaling 2 coats one above another, the top one was much mutilated but seems to have 

been a plate between three cocks for Cock, the lower one is barry of 4 and 

ermine, each of the former divisions charged with 4 trees (Pollards? J "Buhner lie 
Apothecarie and Grocer of this Towne and Anne his Wife She Departed to the Mercie 
of God the 7 December 1614." It will be observed that Bulmer did not adopt the Lisle 
Lion Rampant, and he merely gives the company's crest, a dromedary, which I sup- 
pose would convey the spices from India. The stone appears to have been laid after 
the death of the 1st wife and posterior to the marriage with the second one, who was 
Anne Pollard dau. of Lawrence P. of Newlathes, Yorks., gent., m. 9 Jan. 1614-15 (a 
brief month after Agnes Cocks's death. What funny old fellows our benedicts were 
formerly !) as " Ann Pullet" bur. 2 June, 1669, as "Mrs. Anne He widow" having 
born to Bulmer 

1. Elizabeth, bap. 26 Feb., 1615-16. 

2. Ellinor, bap. 17 Apr., 1618, Qu. Elliner He bur. 22 Feb., 1632-3. 

3. Elizabeth bp. 29 Nov., 1619. 
iv. Robert. 

5. Anne bp. 1 Dec, 1623, m. Feb., 1641-2, to Robert Jenison of Newcastle merchant, 
and had, inter alios, a son Bulmer Jenison bur. 31 Mar., 1657. 

vi. James, bp. 31 July, 1626, apprenticed 20 Dec, 1644, to Robert Ellison of NC. 
merchant adventurer and mercer, d. 20, bur. 21 Apr., 1653. He held his father's 
burgage in Ratton Rawe and paid the Paul's Rent for it in 1648, and sold it to 
Richard Harrison just before his death. 

7. Jane, bp. 19 Jan., 1628-9. 

viii. Henry, bp. 18 July, 1631. 

ix. Bulmer, bp. 20 Jan. 1632-3. 

10. Mary, bp. 8 Oct., 1636, m. 15 Dec, 1656, to Lancelot Westgarth of Newcastle, 
merchant and apothecary, who had been apprentice to Robert Jenison and was 

set over to Robert He to serve the remainder of his term and run sweet 

upon his sister. In 1675 Mrs. Mary Westgarth, relict of Mr. Lancelot West- 

* 1630. St. Paules Day. of Mr. Bulmer He for his houses in Ratton Rawe, 6s. 8d. of 
Robert He for his doore into the Church yeard. 1633, Rec of Mr. Bullmer Hey 10s. [evi- 
dently a considerate gift to the poor.] 

Sf 



xc 



FAMILY OF ILE. 



garth, humbly petitioned the company of merchants " for theire brotherly and 
Christian charity towards the releife of hirself and small children ; beeing in a 
very sad and deplorable condition. The company taking hir petition into theire 
serious consideration, and beeing satisfied that hir husband had paid a con- 
siderable sume to them for impositions in the managing a trade, not greatly 
advantageous to himselfe ; and judging it expedient to supply hir with such a 
sume of money for a stock whereby she might be enabled to follow a petty 
trade in some comraoditys by way of rettaile, and to prevent any petition for 
relief e for the future, were gratiously pleased to graunt to hir the sume of ten 
pounds. And it was ordered that it should be paid by the wardens to Mr. 
Robert Ellison whose care was desired that it might be imploied accordingly." 
Ellison was the master of Mary's brother and trustee for her neice Ann, and 
would appear to have been the friend and adviser of the family. 

Robert Ile * of Newcastle, merchant and apothecary, bp. 15 Oct. 1620. On 17 Jan. 
1641-2 lie petitioned the merchants for admission into their fraternity and requested 
that in fixing the fine for his admission (as he could not claim by either service or 
patrimony) they would take into consideration " the great fyne his father had paid" 
the which " in greate favour to him they were pleased to doe," and soe he was admitted 
on paying lOl.f In 1666-7, in consideration of his natural affection for his daughter 
Ann he releases unto Robert Ellison and Wm. Grey, of Newcastle, merchants, a house 
in the Side, NC, adjoining that in which he himself lived, as also a messuage or tene- 
ment in Darlington, in the market place there, late in the possession of John Middleton, 
draper, his tenants, &c, boundering upon a messuage then or late in the possession of 
John Turner, yeoman, on the west part, the winde or lane called Bull Winde on the 
east, the King's street on the north, and a street called Hungate on the south ; and 7 
beastgates or pasturegates in Brpnkinmoore, to the use of himself for life, rem. Ann. 
It would appear as if he had purchased this property from his aunt Ann Jennison, to 
whom his father left it. The house has long been rebuilt, but still retains the court- 
yard and semblance of an hostelry. From the nicely fitted flags of the pavement in 
Mr. Mewburn's offices, it has evidently formed part of a very superior domicile In its 
day. 

Robert (24 Jan. 1641) m. 1. Deborah, d. of Cuthbert Gray of Newcastle, merchant, 
bur. 29 Dec. 1666, and erroneously registered as " Rebecca, wife of Robert Ile, pothecary 
and grosser," which must be a clerical mistake, as all her children are baptized up to the 
period as those of Robert Ile and Deborah his wife. They were 

a. Robert, bp. Nov. 1643, d. young. 

b. Cuthbert, bp. 26 Apr. 1644, d. young. 

C. BULMER. 

d. Elizabeth, bp. 18 Sep 1645, d. young. 

e. Robert, bp. 23 Nov. 1647, bur. 27 Feb. 1647-8. 

f. John, b. 16, bp. 22 Jan. 1649, d. young. 

g. Deborah, bur. 12 Nov. 1655. 

h. Ann, b. 4 May 1654,unm. in 1666, when her father settled the Bull Inn upon her. 
i. Robert, b. 27, bp. 28 May 1657, d„ young. 

lie m. 2. on 14 Nov. 1667, Ann Brigges who was bur. 5 Oct 1675, having had issue 

j. Robert, bp. 15 Oct. 1668. 
- k. William, bp. 23 June 1670. 
l. Charles, bp. 1 Jan. 1671. 
m. John, 31 July 1673, bur. 29 Mar. 1676. 
n. George (a Brigges name, George Brigges, merchant, was possibly Ann Brigges's 

father) infant son of Robert Ile, merchant, bp. 29 Sep. 1674 (St. John's, N.C.), 

bur. 22 Jan. 1675-6. 



Robert Ile does not appear to occur as holding any office in the merchants' company 
after 1676 or therefore nor has his burial register turned up at Newcastle, circumstances 
which may be explained by the marriage of Mr. Robert Ille with Mrs. Elizabeth 
Williamson at St. Helen's Auckland 28 Sep. 1676, and the return of the bridegroom to 
his ancestral parish. "Mr. Robert Ile of Cockerton" was bur. 6 Oct. 1679 ; J and 



* 1645. Let on seate to Robt. Ile which his father bult. Ch. Ace. 
t NC. Merchant's Bks., per G. B. R. 
$ Consequently, the Bank Close at the junction of the Croft and Blackwell roads in the 
manor of Bondgate, is properly described in 34 Cha. 2., as being bounded on the W. and S. 
by lands late of Robert He. Notwithstanding the list of freeholders in Bondgate, Darling- 
ton, for 1685, given in Surtees, includes the name of " Robert He, gent., at Newcastle." 
1679, Reed, for Mr. Ile laire stall, 6s. 8d— Darlington ch. ace. 



FAMILY OF BOWES. xc i 

" Elizabeth Isle of Cockerton, widow," 17 Nov. 1725, both at Darlington. From this 
marriage sprung 

o. Thomas, "son of Mr. Robert He of Cockerton," bp. 4 Mar., 1678-9, and bur. 28 

Sep., 1681, at Darlington, 
r. William Hey, "son of Mrs. Hey of Cockerton," bur. 13 Mar., 1683-4, at 

Darlington.* 
Who was Isabel Hey, of Darlington, widow, bur. 5 Jan., 1727-8 ? 

Bulmer Isle or Ile, son of Deborah Gray, was aged 21, 25 Aug. 1666, and then the 
only son living, was apprenticed to Mr. Robert Ellison (the family friend), merchant 
adventurer and mercer, on 11 Nov. 1658, and adm. to his freedom 18 Nov. 1668. 
" Buhner Isle, merchant," bur. 7 Feb. 1685-6. 



BOWES. 

One family of the name is noticed under the head of Hylton. A number of 
struggling members of this wide spreading race occur as living here. Thomas Bowes 
bur. 1597. Elizabeth Wall alias Bowes, illeg. d. of Margaret Wall and Robert 3owes, 
bp. 1539-40, bur. 1641. Robert Bowes, gent., a freeholder 1617, was probably identical 
with 

Robert Bowes of Bondgate, who m. Margaret Gregorie, 1641, and had issue 

Thomas, bap. 1642 Thomas Bowes, of Darlington, bur. 15 Aug. 1699. 
Robert, most likely the same as 

Robert Bowes, a weaver of Cockerton, bur. 29 Apr. 1677, whose wife was bur. 4 
June 1680, as " Elizabeth Bowes of Cockerton, widow." He had issue 

Margaret, bap. 1655. 

Robert, bap. 1659. " Robert Bowes, a young man of Cockerton, bur. 28 May, 1684." 

John. 

John Bowes of Cockerton, bp. 1665-6, m. Eleanor Lazenby of Cockerton, 22 May 
1699, and had issue 
John, bap. 6 Oct. 1700. 



William Bowes sold a burgage in 1614. — Susan Bowes, d. of Mary Bowes of Darling- 
ton, bur. 12 Apr. 1664. — George Algood and Jane Bowes, both of Darlington parish, 
m. 25 Nov. 1684. — Edward Bowes, one that came from Brantum to Darlington, bur. 
1688. — Magdalene, d. of Win. Bowes of Darlington, innkeeper, bp. 1726. 

William Bowes of Blackwell, yeoman, (his wife probably " Elizabeth Bowes of 
Blackwell, widow," bur. 1 June 1729) had issue 

Thomas Bowes of Darlington, butcher, who as s. and h, of Wm. Bowes late of Black- 
well, yeoman, deceased, with Anne Aire of Blackwell, widow of Robert Aire, late of 
Blackwell, yeoman, deceased, sold a messuage with " the forefront or s/ieppcns," in le 
Well Row in 1731. 



Peggy Stow Stowell late Bowes of Darlington, wife of William Stow Stowell, farmer, 
aged 43, d. 8 Jan. 1811. 

* 1683, Reed, of Mrs. Isle for her child laire stall, 6s. Sd. —Darlington ch. ace. 



XC11 



FAMILIES OF EMERSON AND DAYKINS. 



EMERSON. 



The Emersons lived at Hill Close House for centuries. Thomas Emerson of Darne- 
ton was a disclaimer in 1615. Henery Emmerson a stranger of Brough was buried in 
1698-9. The estate afterwards belonged to the Richardsons, and in 1725 Robert 
Richardson, gent., sold it to Geo. Allan, Esq. 

Hill Close House is now the property of Miss Allan, and though shorn of half its 
extent, has survived all its cotemporaries, and still asserts itself the only Tudor house 
of stone in the parish. Enormous thickness of wall, deep -splayed mullioned windows 
and picturesque gables are there, and the ancient pond close" by is oddly placed on the 
top of the hill. The situation is passing beautiful. A glorious view of the west imparts 
to the mind's eye the impressions produced by the charming peeps in some Yorkshire 
dales. The sturdy owners perhaps scarcely appreciated all this, and their comforts 
may seem strange when I remark that within a recent period one of the room floors 
was paved with blue flints. Part of the estate is called Bottle Hull or Hall, and I 
have heard a tradition of some very extensive foundations being found there, which 
were considered to be the remains of another old manorhouse or hall. Bottle is a 
Saxon name for a mansion. Robert Emmerson of Hoole House was buried at Darlington 
11 Oct., 1603. 



DAYKINS. 



Thomas Daykins, son of Arthur Daykins, gent., of Darlington, bur., 13 Apr., 1631. 

Arthur Dakins was probably a member of the Linton (East Riding) branch of the 
name. It is even possible that Arthur the heir of that race, aged 8 in 1612, w T as for 
some reason holding a temporary residence here, for the name occurs no more. An 
elder line of Dakyns, Dakeyne, Ducking, Dakyn, Deakinne, Daking, Dakeny, De 
Akeny, D'Elking, De Okeny, &c, was settled at Biggin Grange, in Derbyshire, and one 
of its members married Katherine, dau. of Patric Schange or Strange, of Edinburgh, 
gent., naturalized 37 Eliz., having been a favourite maid of honour to Mary Queen of 
Scots, and reputed to have attended her to the scaffold. This may be queried, since she 
was married before that event, in fact her son John was born in the same year. Her 
luckless mistress left her 400 francs by her draft will made at Sheffield, but as this sum 
does not appear in her last testament it w r as probably given to Catherine on her 
marriage. The descendants of her eldest son John are the families of Deakin or Da- 
keyne, late of Bagthorpe House, co. Notts, represented by my indefatigable correspon- 
dent and fellow-worker in gentle genealogy, Henry Charles Dakeyne, Esq., of 34, 
Hamilton Terrace, St. John's Wood, London, and of the Old Hall, East Bridgeford, 
Notts. 

The motto JHrt&e, $Bakvn$, tl)$ BebiP3 in tl)t ffempr, was granted to General 
Arthur Dakyns, of Linton, in 1563, and if generals then commanded on the w T ater as 
well as on the land, it may allude to some most gallant hacking at the enemy 's hempen 
cords. It certainly is a maritime motto, for the crest presents an arm brandishing a 
battle axe out of a naval crown. The main branch assumed it in 1610 * 



See further in my tract containing " Observations on Martial Mottos." 



FAMILY OF BACKHOUSE. xciii 



MISCELLANEA. 

A number of families are noticed in the body of this work. Many houses of good 
name occur in the registers, such as Lumley, Brand, Carr, Lowther, Tunstall, Catherick, 
Addison, Teasdale, Bainbrig, Pepper, Denton, Vaux and Clifford — but they are story- 
less — their remote descent from ancient families rendered more remote by forgetfulness 
of their fathers. 

The name of Bee has become classical since the publication of Jacob Bee's Diary by 
Sir C. Sharp. Ralph Bee and Jane Armstrong were married at Darlington, 22 Aug., 
1631. The names of Bellamie and Bowbank are of very frequent occurrence. Peter 
Bowbank was a wealthy man of the parish about 1640. A family of Crathorne, scions 
of the great Cleveland race of the name, occurs from the commencement of the registers 
to the present day. An Allan Craythorne now resides at Cockerton. John Dakcrs, of 
Darlington, labouring man, died in 1709. The Gregorys were a numerous class of 
yeomen. It was customary to notice departures from the parish church in any rite : 
therefore John Gregory is expressly stated in 1695 to have been baptized in Haughton 
church. Church registers were then kept on a much better footing than now. For 
any purpose the present statutory form is almost worthless, and we are driven to the 
civil registers. 

A gentlemanly family of Turner resided here in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries 
— so also of Ward. The grandmother of Mr. John Arrowsmith Storey, the present 
clerk of the church, was a Conyers, related to the Bakers of Elemore. (See Surtees ; 
125.) A mercantile and very respectable race of Raines flows in a gentlemanly stream 
from the sixteenth century downwards, connected with the Raines who occur all up and 
down Teesdale, and some of whom were merchants in the then metropolis of monopoly 
— Newcastle. 



BACKHOUSE. 



The Backhouses as bankers, stern and steady, have long been respected throughout 
the North, besides being active and devoted in support of Bible Societies, Public 
Schools, and other charitable institutions. Their Bank was established at Darlington 
in 1774. Thomas Backhouse, esq., of West Lodge, Darlington, was for many years 
chairman of Lloyd's, and was presented by the body with a silver urn bearing an ap- 
propriate inscription, on his resigning the chair. He will live in story as the benevolent 
provider of a life-boat at Seaton Carew, at his own expense, when he saw how much 
time elapsed before the Redcar and Hartlepool ones could reach ships in distress on the 
north side of the Tees. Arts and agriculture have often owed debts to the plain 
Quakers. On 25 May, 1813, the Society of Arts presented a gold medal to William 
Backhouse, esq., of Darlington, for planting 300,000 larches and 50,000 other timber 
trees on waste ground at Shull and Wolsingham ; and a silver one to Jonathan Back- 
house, jun., esq., of Darlington, for planting 271,000 larches, at the same time that the 
lesser silver medal was given to Thomas White, esq., of Woodlands in this county, for 
his application of larch bark to answer all the purposes of oak bark in tanning 
leather : and on 31 May, 1814, the same society presented a gold medal to Mr. Edward 
Backhouse, of Darlington, for planting 363,000 larches on waste land. 

Jonathan Backhouse, esq., of Polam Hall, head of the firm, died 7 Oct., 1842. He 
was a man of active benevolence, and had been one of the chief promoters of the 
formation of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. 

A striking dispensation of Providence occurred on 9 June, 1844, being Sunday. 
William Backhouse, esq., banker, a much respected partner in the old banking house, 



XC1V 



FAMILY OF PEASE. 



of the age of 65, attended the evening meeting as usual, when during service (probably 
feeling unwell) he stood up, and instantly afterwards fell and expired. Mr. Backhouse 
had arranged to go out with his nephew by the Manchester steamer to Hamburgh on 
the voyage in which she was lost. It was his intention to proceed from Hamburgh to 
Norway on a missionary tour. There is every reason to believe that his sudden death 
was the means of saving his nephew as well as himself from the melancholy end of 
those who perished with that unfortunate vessel. He was an eminent botanist, and his 
tastes have descended, for his son the present William Backhouse, esq., of Darlington, 
is a sound zoologist. James Backhouse, esq., of York, is also a noted botanist, and is 
better known as "the Australian Traveller," and by his work on our Polynesian 
Empire. The whole family is indeed fond of the works of nature. 

This is perhaps the best place to acknowledge my obligations to the above William 
and James Backhouse, esquires, who have furnished the local fauna and flora. John 
Church Backhouse, esq., of Black well, has also courteously handed me divers MSS. for 
the purposes of this work. 

Arms : per saltire az. and or, a saltire ermine. Crest : Upon a snake embowed, 
nowed at the tail, an eagle displayed. Motto : Confido in deo. 



PEASE. 



The name of Pease is indissolubly connected with popular progress and the rise of 
railways. It has indeed become one of the main associations of Darlington, and 
strangers generally link the Peases and Backhouses with the place. As far as I 
can gather the traditions of the family together, they briefly state that the Peases 
of Darlington descend from the highly respectable West-Riding family of the name 
settled near Wakefield, where an old house remains called Pease Hall : that they and 
the Peases bankers at Hull, are of that common stock : that the said Darlington 
branch particularly trace from an austere father who considered himself qualified to 
think for his children as well as himself, and turned the Darlington ancestry from house 
and home for becoming Quakers, somewhere of course on this side of the civil wars : 
and that thereupon the rejected ones very sensibly making the best of their decadence 
in caste, rushed into manufactures and trade, and have created more money and 
noise in the world than ever did their inheriting fathers. The grandfather of Edward 
Pease, esq., the present patriarch of the family, another Edward, married Elizabeth d. 
and coh. of Michael Coates of that Lynesack race which binds so many of the heads of 
the Durham Friends in one common descent. The late John Coates, esq., had a 
strangely diverging genealogy, very accurately prepared I believe, but without a single 
date in it ! Joseph Pease, esq., of Southend, our quondam M. P., married one of the 
race of Gurney, whose participation in the murder of Edward II. has been fully 
redeemed in our own time ; and, oddly enough, the late Joseph Pease, esq., of Feethams, 
married a Bradshaw, of the family so well known in consequence of the trial of 
Charles I. 



ORNSBY. 



The Ornsbys of Darlington spring from a family long seated at Lanch ester. 
Christopher Ormsby of that place, in temp. Hen. VIII., married Matilda, daughter 
and coheir of John Lille. 



FAMILY OF ORNSBY. xcv 

Henry Orksby, of Lanchester, in co. pal. gent., bap. 12 Nov., 1706, bur. at Lan- 
chester 19 Jan., 1747. He married, 4 Oct., 1735. Mary dan. and coh. of Thomas 
Rippon of Patrick's Close, par. Lanchester, gent., and by her (who remarried Mr. 
Thomas Wilkinson of Lanchester) had issue 

i. Gaorge Ornsby, of Lanchester, esq., a captain in H. M. Royal Marines, b. 12 Oct., 
1736 ; d. at Gateshead, bur. at Lanchester, 12 Aug., 1809, s. p. "On the 11th 
inst., at Gateshead, in his 72nd year, George Ornsby of Lanchester, esq., captain 
in H. M. Royal Marines. The greater part of his life Avas spent in the service 
of his country ; he was engaged in the siege of the Havannah ; and greatly 
distinguished himself in the naval engagement with the Dutch off the Dogger 
Bank, under Admiral Parker." ( Xewcastle Cov.rant of Aug. 19, 1809.) He 
mar. Mary dau. of Edward Searle, esq., of Overton, Hants. " March 15, 1812, 
died at Overton, Mrs. Ornsby, an amiable woman, relict of the late Captain 
Ornsby, (who fought in the memorable action off the Dogger Bank, Aug. 4, 
1781, and died Aug. 11, 1809,) and only daughter of the late Edward Searle, 
esq., of Overton, Hants, who died March 6, 1809." {Gent Mag. lxxxii. part i., 
p. 668.) 

ii. Henry. 

hi. Thomas, d. young. 

1. Ann, mar. Alan Greenwell, of Greenwell Ford, in co. pal., esq., and left issue. 

2. Mary, d. young. 

Henry Ornsby, of Darlington, in co. pal., solicitor, bailiff and steward of the 
Borough of Darlington, and coroner of Darlington Ward, b. 27 Mar. 1739, died 6 Aug., 
1806, bur. at Darlington. He mar., 6 Feb., 1769, Ann dau. of Christopher Dent, of 
Darlington, gent., and widow of Mr. John fork, and by her (who was bur. at Dar- 
lington 12 Sept., 177-3) had issue 

i. George. 

ii. Henry, died young. 

1. Ann, b. 10 Dec. 1769, d. 30 June, 1785, bur. at Darlington. 

2. Mary, died young. 

George Ornsby, sometime of Darlington, solicitor, bailiff and steward of the 
Borough of Darlington, and coroner of Darlington Ward ; afterwards of Lanchester 
Lodge, esq., a J. P. and deputy lieutenant for the County of Durham ; b. at Darlington, 
6 Oct., 1772 ; d. 8 Aug., 1823, bur. at Lanchester. He mar. at Ripon, 5 May, 1808, 
Margaret third dau. of William Askwith, esq., Alderman of Ripon ; now (1852) living 
a widow at Darlington ; and by her had issue 

i. George. 

ii. Henry William Ornsby, of Darlington, solicitor ; b. 6 Sep., 1815. He mar. at 
Trinity Church, Darlington, 31 Dec, 1846, Elizabeth, eldest dau. of John Robin- 
son, esq., of Cockerton, and by her has issue 

I. Henry Ornsby, b. 7 Aug., 1849. 
J. Margaret, b. 9 Oct. 1847. 

in. Robert Ornsby, M. A., and late Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford ; b. 26 Apr. 7 
1820. He mar. 9 Sep., 1846, Elizabeth, eldest dau. of William Dalgairns, esq., 
of the Rosaire, in the island of Guernsey, by whom he has issue 

1. Harriet Lowe Ornsby, b. 16 Nov , 1S47. 

!. Ann, b. 24 Apr., 1813, d. at Durham, 28 Oct., 1828, bur. at Lanchester. 

George Ornsby, in holy orders, now (1852) vicar of Fishlake, co. Ebor. ; and 
author of '-'Sketches of Durham," published 1846; b. 9 March, 1809. He mar. at 
St. Mary's in the South Bailey, Durham, 1 May, 1843, Anne eldest dau. of John 
Wilson, esq., of The Hill, in the par. of Brigham, co. Cumb., and by her has issue 

i. George Radcliffe Ornsby, b. at Whickham, co. pal., 20 July, 1849. 
ii. John Arthur Ornsby, b. at Whickham, 1 Sep., 1850. 

1. Frances Gertrude, b. in Durham, 22 Feb., 1845. 

2. Anne, b. at Whickham, 22 Dec, 1847. 



XCV1 



FAMILY OF MEWBURN. 



MEWBURN. 



There was a very respectable family of this name in the last century at Blackwell 
and Darlington (see p. 244) connected with the Cleveland race. Thomas Mewburn 
(dead before 1760) had three sons. Thomas, a gentleman of Blackwell ; John, an 
attorney at Darlington ; and James, who lived at Monkend, in right of his wife, Miss 
Aislaby. Thomas and James left sons ; but the male representation died out presently. 
Mr Henry Mewburn, surgeon at Newcastle in 1790, was of this family. 

The name* I have sometimes thought, may have reference to the idea that by 
placing mews, mows, or piles of corn by the sides of burns or rivulets, the grain dries 
more quickly and can be housed earlier from the effects of the current of air following 
the channel. Mow-burnt corn is a phrase too well known.f The Cleveland family 
occur in the registers at their outset. X They have acquired some interest by their 
connection with the Bowyers, the great printers, through a common descent, from the 
Prudoms of Danby. Thomas Bowyer ultimus suorum died in 1783, leaving his Danby 
estates to his second cousin Francis Mewburn, the son of James Mewburn, the son of 
John Mewburn, by Elizabeth Prudom, half sister to Thomas Prudom, of Danby and 
London, whose daughter Anne married William Bowyer, the second printer. See some 
curious matters about the Bowyers extracted from MSS. lent by the present Francis 
Mewburn, esq., borough bailiff of Darlington, in Ord's Cleveland, p. 339. 

William Mewburn, of Eston, of this Prudom blood, married Joanna Consett of 
Ormesby, whose mother was a Pennyman. He left many curious remarks in MS. ; 
having been much engaged in agricultural experiments and improvements. I have 
given a few extracts in a note which may be interesting, having been entrusted with 
some of the MSS. by their possessor, our said episcopal ruler.§ Mewburn was a bearer 
at the funeral of Sir James Pennyman in 1808, when he was 71 years of age. He died 
in 1811. His son William (" baptised over a bowl of punch") had emigrated to America 
in 1788. 

From his long and extensive practice in the law, joined to a literary turn of mind, 
Mr. Mewburn, of Darlington, has amassed large collections of local memoranda and 
evidences. His assistance is especially noted in the last edition of Brockett's Glossary of 
North Country Words, in Ord's Cleveland, and repeatedly in the diadem of Northum- 
brian literature, the princely History of Durham by Mr. Surtees. I have to add that my 



* Mewburn in Westmoreland " was often anciently written Medburn ; which seemeth 
to indicate that it received this name from the burn or rivulet (of Lyvennet) running 
all along down the middle of the vale." (Nicholson and Burn, i. 502.) In Northumberland 
(and I may add partially in Durham too) the Mewburns are called Meburns. In Lincoln- 
shire, where part of the family are located, the name is spelled Meaburn. 

+ See Tusser sub August. 

J Nicholas Mewburn, of Stokesley, weaver, was excommunicated in 1745 for refusing to 
pay his Easter offering to the minister. 

§ Memorandum the 6th of August, 1767, Eston. Last week was killed at Gisbro' by 
Messrs. Dales and Corney a milch cow (called Cheezey) the property of Mr. Wm. Mew- 
burn, of Eston, whose four quarters weighed 75 st, 10 lb. Tallow, 11 st. 1 lb. Head, &c, 
13 st. 3 lb. In all, 100 st. at 14 lb. per stone ; which reduced to London weight, is 175 st. 
The publick are desired to take notice that this cow was never fed or in the least intended 
to be fatted, having never eat any kind of corn, turnips, or oil cake, nor anything but hay, 
straw, and grass ; and what is more remarkable, she was a whey calf, and offered to sale 
for 30s. She was milked twice a day, untill she was killed. Price 20 guineas. Her fellow 
the same age, viz., gone six years old, who has had the same usage and now a milk cow, 
is supposed by the best of judges to weigh at present 10 st. more ; and for which Mr. 
Mewburn has been offered 30 guineas. N. B — Mr. Mewburn has this clipped from a ram 
sheep 21 lbs. of clean washed wool. The above is a copy of what was in the newspapers, 

&c, &c. Cheeses sold in 1766 to John Elgie Sep. 17, delivered at Cargo Fleet, 

44 cheeses, first of that sort ever made at Eston ; weight 5 ct. qr. 1 lb. Two ewe cheese 
sent to Mrs. Hustler, in London. Cattle bought in 1769. — April 25, a cow of my coz'n at Croft. 
[James Mewburn of Monkend] read and white 101. 10s. Cattle sold in 1770.— Jan. 31, at 
Stockton, being the first fair ever their, a bay mare rising five, 12Z. Memorandum of all the 
Doctors by me [circa 1790 or 1800] W. Mewburn, P. Physicians, &c, (i. a.) of Stockton, 
7.— Doctor Nicholson, P. Doctor Horseley, P. and S— Mr. Kirton, Mr. Weiar, Mr. Walker, 
Mr. Wray, Mr. Fall. Darlington, 1— Mr. Pratt. Sir Charles Turner, bait., born 28 
January, 1773, the same day of the month Ids father was born. 



FAMILIES OF HILL AND LOWSON. xcv ji 

obligations to him in constructing this parochial topography have also been very 
great. I should be guilty of serious laches as a chronicler of the part Darlington has 
had in the early promotion of steam land-transit were I not to describe Mr. Mewburn 
as one of the solicitors to the Stockton and Darlington, to the Auckland and Weardale, 
the Wear Valley, the Middlesbro' and Redcar, the Great North of England, and the 
Middlesbrough and Guisbrough Railway Companies. Such a connexion with the first 
passenger railway in the kingdom and its succeeding locomotive peers in South Durham 
is something unique to look back upon. 

Arms worn by Fra. Mewburn, esq., of Darlington. — Arg. 3 lions, 2 and 1, rampant 
gules. — Impaling Smales. Crest : a demigriffin. Motto : Festina lente. 



HILL. 

The Hills have been mentioned in connexion with Blackwell and the improvement 
of cattle. They held the Blackwell estate for three generations. Thomas Hill, of 
Mantield took it by marriage with the heiress of Denton (see p. 117), and died in 1773. 
He had three sons — Christopher, of Blackwell, who died in 1795, s. p., Thomas, who 
died in the lifetime of his father, and Robert, who died in 1786. The latter left 
numerous children ; the eldest, Thomas Wiliiam Hill, esq., of Blackwell, sold the 
estate in 1803 to the Allans. One of the daughters, Elizabeth, married John Douth- 
waite Nesham, esq., of Houghton-le-Spring, at Darlington, 5 May, and again at 
Houghton, in consequence of an error in the marriage license, on 5 July, 1801. One 
of their sons, David Nesham, esq., resides between Darlington and Haughton-le-Skerne. 
Thomas William Hill died at Startforth, 1833, and all his brothers are dead, save 
William Hill, esq., of Ryhope, who is still the owner of some tythes in the township 
of Blackwell. 



LOWSON. 

The Lowsons at one time possessed considerable property near Darlington. Edmund 
Lowson married Jane Emmerson at Darlington, in 1705, and died in 1729. His son 
Francis, an attorney at law here, married Mary Young, of Tofthill, and died 1765, 
leaving numerous issue. The eldest son Francis married Elizabeth, daughter of John 
Wardell of Ketton. and died 1768, leaving no surviving issue. Two other sons, Young 
Lowson and Newby Lowson, each left a family. Newby Lowson, esq., of Witton-le- 
Wear, represents the latter. 



3f* 




[Brass frame of one of the pouches or gipcieres commonly ivorn appended to the girdle 
in mediaeval times. Found near Yarm in forming the Leeds Northern Railway.] 



ADDENDA. xc j x 



ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA, 

The ordinary typographical errors are not noticed 

P. 5. Vasey of Coniscliffe. The High and Low Coniscliffe estate passed to Marshall 
Vesey, of Darlington, and afterwards of Newcastle (1783), bookseller. He married 
Margaret Sanderson, daughter of Patrick Sanderson, the well known stationer, of New 
Elvet, Durham. The Low Coniscliffe estate included a close called Gallow-hill, doubtless 
the site of Lord Greystock's Gallows, (see p. 48), as it was held under the Howards. 
The estate containing 238 acres was alienated to Francis Holmes by Marshall Vesey, 
before the previous tenant for life died, for £2,600, and was sold under the Holmes assign- 
ment for £1,950 to Mr John Shepherd. The tenant then paid £110 rent, and £5 
to the Howards, free rent. The vendors assumed £122 19s. 4d. a fair rental, being at 
the rate of 10s. 4d. per acre. Twenty years' purchase at £110 gave £2,200. The pur- 
chaser however had to buy out a possible annuity of £50, settled on Margaret Vesey, in 
case she survived her husband Marshall. The Gallow hill was then High and Low 
Galley hill. — Allan 3TSS., in the possession of R H. Allan, esq. 

The lands near Darlington, in this important Holmes sale, were estimated at from 
£1 5s. 6d. to £3 p. acre, according to quality and situation. Mr. Holmes total debts 
were £16,261, his credits about £13,900. His purchases of property, £10,792, ranged 
1754-1780 ; his bonds 1752-1 782. His valuation of his property was £11,949, and it sold 
for £11,689. He was baptized 1722, and declined business in 1749, his father Francis 
having died 1747. He had a large summer house with a nursery of trees, in his Low 
Park estate, concerning which George Allan, very unintentionally, has this significant 
description: — "Folly in own hand." "Kendrew for Glass mill" is another item. — 
{Annotated Sale list, penes F. Mewburn, esq.) 

P. 6. Darlington Surname. Mr. Darlington, of Ince Hall, Lancashire, is one of the 
most extensive proprietors and viewers of coal in that county, and has used the steam 
jet to admiration. 

P. 14. Prescott Superstitions. The ghost of the old deserted mansion of the Pres- 
cotts, of Blackwell, is called "Old Pinkney," and wears a red nightcap. A well under 
the house is " Pink-e-ney's well," and when used was never disturbed after nightfall. 

P. 20. Flood of 1822. — " From Piersbridge to Croft, bankings and trees were forced 
down. The battlement of Croft Bridge was forced down. At Yarm, by the overflow- 
ing of the Tees, the water was seven feet, deep in the main street. No lives, however, 
were lost there, and but little damage sustained in property." Newcastle Mag. The 
authority I quoted from must be incorrect ; the reader will theiefore substitute Yarm 
for Stockton. 

P. 21 . Note J— Read (i To it." 

P. 26, line 2. Sherne. — After Holmeslaw add, " Stotfald per petras ex parte orientali 
dicti Stotfald et a dicto Stotfald usque Holmeslawe" 

P. 29. Ellestantoftes . — Halliwell has a Northumberland word Beck-stans, which he 
says means the strand of a rapid river. 

P. 29. Helle. — 1418. There is a survey of Bishop Langley in the auditor's office of 
this date. Polam is Polumpole. Ralph Eure held 3 acres called le Helle. The Punder's 
half acre at Ellyngmedowe in Hatfield s survey is described at de Ellyng. 

P. 35. Hell-kettles. — There are some dozen of similar pits in the range of red sandstone 
banks on the east side of the Ure in Yorkshire, commencing at Hutton Conyers and 
extending to Bishop Monkton. They are generally circular, about 30 feet in diameter. 
Some are nearly filled up by the sides crumbling in, and present a semicircular or 
angular section. Some are deep and dry, and others full of water. One is full to the top, 
never higher in winter or lower in summer, like the Hellkettles. or the little mountain 
lake of Gormire near Thirsk. This is at Littlethorpe, and fell 56 years ago. Mr. Mil- 
burn, of Sowerby, near Thirsk, to whom I am indebted for these particulars, has heard 
read a letter from the clergyman residing at Littlethorpe at the time. The circumstance 
occurred about three o clock a.m. There was a loud thundering noise and shaking, and 
in the morning the hole, which gradually afterwards filled with water, made its appear- 



ADDENDA. 



ance. Another of these pits was formed in Bishop Monkton about 26 years ago. The 
men present came running in to their master, Mr. Charnock, saying, the stackyard was 
being swallowed up. He went and found ttie land gradually dropping down into an abyss 
of an unknown depth, and was indeed swallowing his stacks. He immediately sent 
men to cart away those nearest to it, and the ground kept sinking in circularly till it 
had swallowed up the sites of those also. It filled with water, or nearly so, and so it 
remains. This is the only pit which seems to have sunk gradually. It is 20 yards in 
diameter. 

The water is not more peculiar than as being cold and hard and brilliantly clear. 
From the appearance of some of the old pits, Mr. Milburn considers that they must 
have fallen at intervals of one or two centuries each. 

The lake of Gormire, seated in an amphitheatre of the Hambleton rocks, has always 
been considered to owe its origin to some vast convulsion. It has no perceptible inlet 
or outlet, and is accompanied with the usual tradition of the sinking of a wicked city, 
and the appearance ever and anon of its turrets and chimnies beneath the sullen water. 

Mr. Raine once mentioned to me a tradition about the Hellkettles The farmer there 
would work on St. Barnaby's day, and on being remonstrated with, said: — 

"T'll hae my cart load of hay 
Whether God will or nay." 

Whereupon the Hellkettles swallowed him his carts and horses, and when you can 
see the bottom of Hellkettles, then you can see the agricultural denizens also.* 

Leland in giving the extract from the Tj/nemouth Chronicle about the Oxenhall 
earthquake at Christmas, 1178, says," Vidi ibidem aliquot puteos, quos mlgusHelketels 
appellate 

P. 40. Humble- Sykes. — Humble-Svkes occurs as Hummersom-Sykes in 1796. 

P. 91. Bishop Booth.— 1474-5. Clerk of the works. Paid 145. 3d. for the meat of 
divers tenants of my lord riding with my Lord from Auckland to Allerton, as well for 
food for horse as men, attending upon George Lumley in Derlynton for keeping the 
peace on the market day. 

Bishop Dudley. — 1478. Expenses by my lord of Duresme's counseyll at Derlyngton. 
A quarter and half of pease, 7s. 6d. Half a quarter of haver, 16d. For baking of 
horse brede to the baxster, 12c?. For half a quarter of branne, 4c?. For eight threffe of 
stray to litter, 12d. For making of hekks and mayngors, I8d. Payd to Richard 
Denom, for a swall to the maynger, 4c?. To a wryght, be the commandment of John 
Raket, 3s. — Raines Auckland. 

P. 92. Contents of an Oxgang. — Fifteen acres composed an oxgang in Darlington, 
according to the old and new measurements of the Nestfield Copyholds, and George 
Allan calls this the " General computation." At Langley's survey, this was the con- 
tents of an oxgang in Cockerton. At Black well, twenty acres went to an oxgang, 
(p. 7.) 

Hopton in his Baculum Geodseticnm 1614, says that Fabian, writing of the Con- 
queror, sets down a measure very necessary for all men to understand — Four akers, 
(saith he,) make a yard of land, five yards a hide, and eight hides make a knight's fee, 
which by his conjecture is so much as one plough can well till in a year ; in Yorkshire 
and other counties they a hide an oxe-skinne. 

P. 94. Richard ///.—Line 9 of text, for "his" read " the Tudor's." > 

P. 96. Princess Margaret. — I have come to the conclusion that the Fiancels were in 
1503, and that " hys day of installcyon" in the record does not mean " the anniversary 
of his (Fox's) installation," as Hutchinson has it, but the actual installation of Bishop 
Sever. Indeed in 1502 the See was vacant. Sir Wm. Buhner was not appointed 
sheriff till 16 Jan., 1502-3. Sir Ralph Bowes was sheriff to Fox until the latter was 
translated to Winchester, 6 Oct., 1501. 

W. Robinson, of Darthelington, was appointed in 1501, apparitor in the city and 
archdeaconry of Durham, sede vacante. (Barnes proc. S. S. app. ii.) 

P. 98. Wolsey's Episcopacy. — 1524. The Duke of Norfolk in office on the marches, 
writes to Wolsey from Dernton : — " I have remayned in this your Grace's town and 
nere thereaboutes, doing dyvers pylgrimages thies 5 or 6 dayes, loking every houre to 
have herd of th'Ambassadours commyng ; and tomorrowe, with Godes grace, I shall 
comme forewardes towardes the Kinges Highnes and your Grace ; ye maye be assured, 
with a right good will." — (State papers.) 

P. 101. Bp.Tunstall. 1543-4.— Clerk of Works. Payd the Smyth of Darlington, 
for 5 lodis for my Lorde by the hands of Mr Chaunseler, 5s. 8d. — Raine 's Auckland. 



* A correspondent of the Durham Advertiser says, that they may be seen on a fine day 
and clear water "floating midway, many fathoms deep." 



ADDENDA. c i 

P. 108 Note t. I had quite forgotten Surtees's own accounts of the ballad of Langley- 
dale. " I have only just heard, a few hours ago, the first stanza of this, ' evidently 
founded on Plumpton Park :' can recover no more of the original than the two lines, 
which I suppose were the burden. I have filled it up as a kind of cent from such ideas 
and passages as occur to me at this present writing. I would give ten pounds for the 
original Lament." Life, by G. Taylor, 43. 

P. 114. Manor of Blackwell. In Langley's survey, 1418, Cecily Blackwell is stated 
to hold 1 mess, and 5 oxgangs by foreign service, and multure of one-sixteenth, et 
cooperiet molendinum super le louthre, and renders yearly 23s. 8d. (Cecily Blackwell 
was very likely the wife of John Middleton, mentioned in Hatfield's survey). Robert 
Hurworth, jure uxoris held 3 acres at Spj/nkbit formerly Emma Moriali's. ' In another 
paper in the Auditor's office I find under Blackwell, a farm rent of 6s. 8d., of a pasture 
called Batell demised to the tenants there ; another of 16s. of a pasture called 
Langdraught demised to the tenants of the vill there with their husband-lands ; and 
another of 18d. increased rent of a croft there. (See p. 114.) 

P. 117. " Doctor Isaac Basire" in the text was son of Dr. Isaac Basire the pre- 
bendary mentioned in the note. 

P. 118. John Church Backhouse, Esq., whose estate at Blackwell adjoins that of R. 
H. Allan, Esq., and is affected by the sudden curvature of the river, was at half the cost 
of the stone jetty in the Tees. 

P. 119. Gamett — 1626. Offic, against Anne Garnett, of Blackwell, par. Darneton, 
detected for intertaining Popish Preists, for taking upon her unlawfully to christen 
children, and suspected to live incontinently with one who liveth in her house. (Raine 
MSS.) 

P. 128. Parish Books. — The extracts on this page are nearly all imperfect and 
orthographically inaccurate, being taken from Surtees before I had the original book. 
The differences are not so material to history as to need enumeration, but the entry 
" To ringers at my Ld. Bpp's going out of the country, 2s. 7d.," occurs in 1631, not 
1632. The book was found in Sir C. Sharp's MSS., and returned. 

P. 129. Parish Books. — In the extract from the parish books of 1650, read " To two 
company es of Irish travellers." 

P. 129. Hermitage. — 1545-6. The Bishop's dues mention, firepence — Somerlace 
alias Heremitag' — waste called baronland. 1469-70. — The Bishop's dues mention the 
fishery of the water of Skyrne extending from Burdon to Oxhenhall — the rent of a her- 
mitage demised to Thomas Fryth ; this is afterwards called a piece of land named 
Swynhirdplace, alias le Hermitage. — See pp. 283, 292. In 1782, a freehold house and 
garth at the foot of the Hermitage Bank in Darlington (rent £8) was sold with the 
property of Francis Holmes, Esq. It is elsewhere called Bank-top house. It was con- 
veyed by Holmes's assignees, as " all that mess. ten. or dwelling house, stable, garth, 
and appurtenances called the Hermitage, in or near Darlington, boundering on the Post 
Road from Darlington to Northallerton on the E. and S., the mess, or ten. of Edw. 
Selby on the W., and lands of Miss Allan on the N." In 1731 the mess, or ten. called 
the Hermitage had been lately rebuilt and converted into dwelling houses : a horse-mill 
and orchard adjoined. In 20 Geo. II. (1746-7) a fine was levied of the " parcel whereon 
a horse-mill lately stood, containing 12 yards in length by 8 yds in breadth at a place 
called Hermitage." The Hermitage was in fact the larger portion of the isolated 
portion of the borough in Clay Row. 

P. 130. Forster.— 1570-1.— 12 March, 13 Eliz. Elizabeth dau. of Christopher Place 
of Halnaby, Esq., was wife of Francis Forster of Halnaby. 

P. 132. Civil War. — 1640. — Immediately after the victory of Newburn, the Scots 
planted their ordnance at Gateshead. Newcastle yielded the next day. The inhabitants 
would not have their houses battered down, and the officers, as report went, deserted the 
soldiers, who marched out of the town westward, crossed Newburn ford (where the 
Scots had passed) and " soe to the King's forces at Darneton, some 12 miles on this side 
Durham, where the randevous now is, and hoped on the King's part there are at this 
tyme or will be within two days 30,000. Soe a battayle is suddenly likely to be. God 
blesse his Ma'ty army with success." (Letter from London, Sep. 4, printed in J. G. Bell's 
Tracts, sub. tit. Great Nevves from Newcastle.) 

P. 134. Piercebridge Skirmish. — There is a monument to Sir Thomas Howard of 
Thursdale, co. pal. knt., the 7th son of Belted Will, in Wetheral Church, Cumberland. 
It says he " died valiently fighting in the cause of his king and country at Piercebridge, 
Dec. 2d 1642." He was buried at Coniscliffe. (Hodgson's Northd.) 

P. 135. Civil War. — 1644. " The Enemy marching to Durham, it was resolved our 
army should go to Easington, where wee might intercept the Enemies provisions from 
Hartlepoole, enlarge our own Quarters, and strengthen [straighten ? W. H. L.] theirs ; 
where wee stayed till April 8, (having kept a Fast the day before) and on that day 
marched to Quarcndon hill near Durham, intending to force the Enemy either to fight 



Cll 



ADDENDA. 



or flee, which fell out accordingly ; for having little forrage for his horses, and little 
store of provisions ; after he had sent for some forces from Lumley castle and Newcastle 
to strengthen his foot, upon the 13 of April, hee marched away early in the morning in 
great haste, leaving behinde him severall provisions ; our horse was at forrage, but 
having notice of their flight, marched after them with all the expedition could bee, and 
came on the Lords day to Damton. The next day the enemy having some advantage 
in the way, directed his march to York ; the Generall fearing lest he should have 
surprised the Lord Fairfax his iorces, and either given them a defeat or driven them to 
a corner, and so get occasion to encrease his forces, sent severall advertisements to them, 
and so hasted our march, that some of our forces over-took some of the enemies reare, 
killed and took about 80 of them. "—(Letter from Wetherby by one of Leslie's folks. 
Richardson's reprints, sub tit. — The taking of the fort at South Shields.) 

P. 136. Hutton. — 1551. Ralph Hutton, of Walworth (p. 136), was younger brother 
to William Hutton, of Hunwick. John Hutton, of Hunwick, his nephew and super- 
visor, by will 1565, mentions '• Marye Biggins, his uncle Raufe Hooton's daughter." — 
(Randall's Pedigrees and Wills, not'in the D. and C. Lib.) 

P. 136. Rickatson. — Geo. Rickatson's seat in the stall next the Belles, was let to 
Francis Bainsbrigg in 1630. In 1641, Jennet, his wife, took a seat, and in 1650, 
Rickatson was buried in the church, as was his wife in 1659. 

P. 139. Middleton. — 1651. John Middleton, esq., and Member of the Committee of 
Militia, in the co. of Durham, by authority of Parliament, was one of the parties to 
whom John Headworth, of Harraton. addressed his " oppressed mans out-cry" in 1651 . 

P. 139. King's Arms. — 1660. " To John Deniss for the drawinge the King's Armes, 
and for the wreete and Masons, and Cooles, and Smith and other cherges, 11. 185. 6d." 
The entry in p. 139 is faulty. I had not the original then. 

P. 148. Mrs. Gerrard.— 10 Jan , 1665-6. To Mrs. Gerrard, (Mary Cosin, afterwards 
Lady Gerrard,) to give Symon Armestrong, a poore old man in Darlington, by my Lord's 
order, Is. 

14 Mar. Given Mr. Gerrard's man that brought a great pike as a present 2s. 6d. 

6 Apr., 1666. Given Mr. Gerrard's man that brought some pikes and tench Is. 

23 Aug. To Darlington footpost that brought letters about the Quakers 2s. 

In 1667, Lady Gerrard and little Mr. Gilbert and children appear resident at Auck- 
land. — Raine's Auckland 

P. 151. Charles Husband. — 1626. John Husband was the lawyer. Charles, the 
husband of Dorothy Glover, sold candles in 1634. 

P. 152. Parish 'Books.— 1684. Read " To Mr. Bell, for a letter from London with 
the names of the Royal family, Qd." 

P. 155. Postmaster's Daughter. — 1733. Feb. 2nd, died, Mr. Clement, postmaster of 
Durham. (Gent. Mag.) 

P. 168. Elections. — " The only occasion upon which Mr. Surtees is known to have 
spoken in public was at the election for the southern division of Durham, at Darlington, 
in 1832, when he proposed Mr. Bowes, of Streatlam Castle, in a speech in which judg- 
ment and brevity were happily united. At the dinner which followed upon the election, 
at Darlington, Mr. Surtees was present, and an amusing scene occurred in which he 
acted a part. He was sitting at table near a gentleman with whom he was intimately 
acquainted, and from that gentleman an apology was required for a hasty expression 
in the course of the evening. " Gentlemen," said the apologist, with great good-nature, 
" I beg your pardon : I did not, if you'll believe me, mean to say what I did, but I've 
had the misfortune, you see, to lose some of my front teeth, and words get out every 
now and then without my knowing a word abont it." The speaker was proceeding 
when Surtees laid hold of him by the tail of his coat, and placed him gently upon his 
seat. " Sit down," said he, " and don't say one word more. Never was there so perfect 
an apology. If you add one word more you'll spoil it most completely. ' — Raine. 

P. 170. Another election for the southern division took place at Darlington on July 
15, 1852, when Lord Harry Vane and Mr. Farrer were again returned without opposi- 
tion. The former was nominated by Joseph Pease, esq., and Robert Henry Allan, 
esq., in able and eloquent addresses ; the latter by Marshall Fowler, esq., and H. 
Stobart, esq. John Bowes, esq., the High Sheriff, attended, and his feelings in that 
arena where in former days he had been the successful candidate, and expended some 
30,000^., must have been of no ordinary character. Lord Harry Vane, after being girt 
with a sword as a Knight of the Shire, was drawn through the town in his carriage \ 
but Mr. Farrer, who was escorted by a posse of the county constables to the King's 
Head Inn, reluctantly refrained from any procession by advice of the town authorities 
and some of the magistrates, in consequence of the disorderly disturbances manifested 
against him at the hustings A parcel of 30 or 40 dirty young urchins had styled 
themselves " The Juvenile Band of Hope," in connection with the Temperance Society, 
and brought a banner inscribed " The Working Classes demand Political Rights — Free 



ADDENDA. c iii 

Trade for ever — there's nothing like Teetotal !" On one of the poles of the banner was 
a loaf and red herring, on the other a cat-o'-nine-tails. In front of this stood a young- 
man without his hat, who ever and anon pointed to the banner, waved his hand in a 
mystical manner above his head, and led the Band of Hope into astounding hisses and 
frantic yells, which effectually prevented between 3,000 and 4,000 men from hearing a 
word from Mr. Farrer and his party. It was by some considered that the leader was 
of weak intellect ; and a deputation from the Temperance Society waited on Mr. Farrer, 
and explained to his satisfaction their annoyance, that such disgraceful proceedings had 
for a moment been coupled with their name. 

P. 183. Raby Vane. — In mentioning Raby Vane, I thought it only proper to give 
the strange entry which passed through the periodicals of the day about a marriage 
with Miss Eyres, daughter to the late Bishop Eyres, on 17 April, 1768. It is seldom 
that such notices are altogether incorrect, and not finding a date ascribed to the match 
with Miss Sayer, daughter of Dean Saver, I printed the entry, fearing that a second 
match might have escaped writers. Since that time Randal's pedigree of Vane, full of 
curious remarks, has passed through my hands, and I find the same date ascribed to the 
wedding of Miss Sayer, which shews that a strange misunderstanding was afloat about 
her at the time. I can only attribute it (and even then it exceeds proper bounds of 
variation) to the circumstancs that her mother was a daughter of Archbishop Potter of 
Canterbury. 

P. 188. Manor House. — There are a number of accounts for repairs of Darlington 
Manor House in the auditor's office. The lime came from Cornforth, it (including 
carriage) was 35. 4rl. per fodder, the slates (sclatstanez) from Racwodd-hyll ; six loads 
and carriage came to 225. For working six dayes in hewynge of blowinge tymber in 
the parke and in hewyng sawynge and framyng of tymber for one roof for a jayJces 
in my lordis chalmer at 8d. the daye for one Id. for on other and 6d. eyther of thoder 
— for an hundrethe lattis 8d. — for caryage of iiij or foder of tymber firth of the perke 
into my lordis maner at iiijd. the loyd 16c?." 

P. 190. Royal Visits.— Another Royal visit took place on the 29th August, 1850, at 
20 minutes to 12, a.m., when a second portion of this book, emblazoned by the 
author, was graciously received by Her Majesty from the hands of the Borough 
Bailiff. 

On Thursday, 28 Aug., 1851, at 11 a.m., a Royal train again passed through the 
Darlington station, on the same route as before, when the High Sheriff of the county 
(Robert Henry Allan, esq.), and the Borough Bailiff, and between 300 and 400 ladies 
and gentlemen were on the platform to pay their respects to Her Majesty. The High 
Sheriff had the honour of offering to Her Majesty a beautiful bouquet from the gardens 
of Black well Hall, which she was graciously pleased to accept. 

At a quarter-past 12 on Tuesday, the 30th August, 1852, much the same preparations 
were made, and at that hour the Royal cortege arrived from the south, and it so hap- 
pened that the Queen's carriage halted opposite the unreserved portion of the platform, 
and a great number of persons were unexpectedly gratified by their close proximity to 
Majesty. A basket of fruit from the conservatories of the Duke of Northumberland, 
at Stan wick Park, was presented to Her Majesty ; as was also a beautiful bouquet, 
culled from Mr. Harrison's gardens. 

On all these occasions, dense multitudes naturally lined the sides of the line outside 
the station, and their loyal and respectful feeling required neither restraint nor spur. 

P. 129. Brankin Moor. — 1674. The freeholders of the borough had sold their 
cattlegates on Brankin Moor, the purchasers agreeing to pay half tha county rates that 
the borough houses were charged with, and to maintain the common high road over the 
same. In this year a dispute arose, and the arrangement was confirmed by quarter 

sessions. Under the act 12 Geo the owners on the moor again refused payment 

and demanded an equal pound rate over the whole constabulary. — {Allan's MSS.) 

P. 194. Taxation of 1292.— The vicar's portion should be £6 13s 4d. 

P. 195. Feethams. — This property was part of Mr Holmes's estate, and sold by his 
assignees in 1782 to Miss Lumley * who resided there, and was a creditor to the tune of 
£4674. The land was on lease of lives from the Bishop : three dwelling-houses from 
Lord Vane, for 999 years from 1694 : and there was a piece of ground on the front of 
the house and then part of the garden, 55 ft. N. to S. by 20 ft. E. W. "formerly the 
Tyth Barn, of which a lease was granted by Lord Vane, in 1757, to Mr Holmes, for 21 
years, renewed 1778. The garden on the S. side of the churchyard was part of the 
property comprised in the in the grand lease by the Vanes. 

P. 201. Deanery. — The Deanery did not pass direct from the Nevilles to the Vanes, 
—See p. 269. 

P. 210. Spiritual Court. — Isabel Dowker alias Denton, wife of one Denton of Dar- 

* She was. I believe, some relation to Holmes. Mr Thomas Lumley died 1758. 



civ ADDENDA. 

lington, hath stood excommunicate in the court at Richmond 5 or 6 years, and dwelleth 
at Darlington, and hath brought forth 2 children in fornication. — Richard Gregson sub- 
traxit feoda Judicis Registrarii et apparitoris. 

P. 224. Incumbents.— Cornelius Harrison, Dr Johnson's cousin, lived in the Prescott 
house, in Hungate, afterwards the residence of the Allans, and occupied the Kilnegarth 
and Ninnefield or Ninney field. 

P. 242. Communion.— \57§. Darneton. Brian Todie, Robert Crofton, and Thomas 
Henghe did not receive [communion] at Easter. To do penance in their parish church 
in their usual dress, having a sheet above the same, to receive, and to certify. 

P. 245. Epitaphs. —1761. There was a noted stone-cutter, named Hodgson, in 
Darlington. His nephew tried to follow his steps, and a memorial in the churchyard 
to his predecessor was the result. 

" Here lieth the Body of John Hudson, who departed this life 
the 15 day of May, 1761 In the 51st year of his age. 

Afl ickshons sore long time he bor * 
Physicians were in v aiu 
tell death did sezes 
As god did please 
And eased him of his pan e ." 

Allan's copies of Epitaphs in Sharp's MSS. 

P. 249. St. John's Church. — The cost of this church was eventually about 4,000/. 

P. 257. Grammar School. — 1783. Died the Rev. Thomas Cooke, master of the 
Grammar School at Darlington in 1748, and discharged 1750. The following is com- 
pressed from the account in the Newcastle Courant of the day, which James Allan has 
kindly preserved in his Darlington collections. " The Rev. Thomas Cookk was the son 
of a shoemaker at Hexham, and born in 1719. He was King's scholar, at Durham 
school, and took the degree of M.A. in Queen's College, Oxford. While he was curate of 
Embleton, in Northumberland, a turn for mysteries led him to study mystic writers ; 
he caught the same enthusiastic flame which warned them, and was looked on as a 
second Jacob Behmen, though he had some notions peculiar to himself. For here he 
publicly maintained, that the Christian dispensation did not abrogate the Mosaic insti- 
tutions, and actually supported his doctrine of the necessity of circumcision by practising 
it upon himself. On this occasion he assumed the names of Adam, Moses, Emanuel, 
and ever after constantly signed himself A. M. E. Cooke ; even when he became more 
cool and temperate. While he was curate here, he also made an attempt to follow the 
example of Christ in fasting 40 days, and fasted 17 days without a taste of any thing 
whatever, and for 12 days more allowed himself, each day, only a trifling crust of bread, 
and a draught of water. So strange were his notions and so extravagant his behaviour, 
that he incurred the reprehensions of his superiors, and was by them soon discharged 
from his curacy. On this our Jewish Christian, in his canonicals, and with a long 
beard, the growth of which he had for some time encouraged, went to London, where 
he published many pieces of unintelligible jargon in politics, divinity, &c, two plays, 
and many whimsical projects, among others, one for collecting all the markets into a 
grand subterraneous one, under Fleet Street. Here he first signalised himself by street- 
preaching, which he afterwards very frequently practised, wherever he went, particularly 
in this town, and in Oxford, where, after hearing the University sermon in St. Mary's, 
he used to give the text a second discussion in the street, in which he generally took 
excessive liberties with the first ; and strange as his sentiments and his expressions 
were, larded with long, though faithful, extracts fiom the classics and the Hebrew Bible, 
he had always, in the latter place, a numerous, respectable, and attentive audience. 
When in London, he conceived that all the good things of this world should be common. 
He would go into a coffee-house in a morning, and take the first muffin and pot of coffee 
he saw. The strangeness of his appearance, or the knowledge of his character, used to 
screen him from expostulation on the part of the gentleman for whom the breakfast 
was intended ; nor did he meet with interruption from the waiters, till he had finished, 
and, after saying a short grace, was going towards the door without discharging the 
reckoning. The coffee-house master would expostulate, while he would prove, by mode 
and figure, that the good things of this world were common ; the bucks would then form 
a ring for the disputants, till the one would be obliged to give up the contest, unable to 
make objections to arguments, brought from the Talmudists and from Hebrew, Greek 
and Latin authors. After he had gone on for some time in this eccentric manner in 
London, the charity of some clergymen got him sent to Bedlam, where he staid two or 
three years. When discharged, he travelled over the greatest part of Scotland on foot, 
without a farthing in his pocket ; subsisting, as he informs us in a pamphlet, by the 



ADDENDA. cv 

contributions of the well disposed. After travelling over most of Ireland, also on foot, 
he went to Dublin in 1760, where he was kindlo entertained, for some time, by the 
Society of Trinity College. When he returned to England he visited Oxford, where 
much notice was taken of him by some gentlemen of distinction, particularly by the 
head of one of the colleges, with whom he lodged. He, about this time, proposed visiting 
the interior parts of America; a project, which, till within these few years, he has wished 
to put in execution, but never could from the state of his finances. After living in 
London many years, he came down into this country, and within these last two years 
has subsisted on a pension, allowed him by the "Society of the Sons of the Clergy;" 
amusing himself with writing odes, letters, epigrams, strictures of one kind or other, 
and, which was his last undertaking, a plan for the alteration of St. Nicholas' Church, 
and a project for making, what he called, a grand universal church upon true evangelical 
principles." 

P. 266. Churchwardens. — 1507. With reference to the term " masters (magistri) 
of the fabric" Halliwell has the word Kirk-master as a Northumbrian expression in the 
same sense. 

P. 270. Patronage of the Church. — The Clavis Ecclesiastica of Bishop Barnes says 
that Darlington Collegiate Church is " dissolved and in the Quene's handes, but was of 
the patronaige and giefte of the Bishop of Durham." At a later date the words 
" Donatives of the Q. giefte" opposite the Vicarages of Darlington and Staindroppe are 
struck out, and opposite the former stands " Sir Geo, Fletcher," and the latter " Dns. 
Vaine." 

P. 282. Hodgson. — 1591-2, February 18. Charles Hodgson v. Jane Marshall. — 
Robert Branson, of Darlington, yeoman, aged 56, says, " that about thre or fower daies 
next before the death of John Marshall, the said John lying sick in his owne house in 
Darlington, did say that his ant Hodgeson (meaning the said Charles Hodgeson's wife) 
should have his daughter Elizabeth to bring up and xx li. with hir, saying further that 

he wey [weysted ?] not xx li. for that his ant would bring up his daughter well 

and in the feare of God." — Eccl. Proc. Dunelm. 

P. 304. Mr. Mason. — " Surtees would often tell with much glee a " passage," as he 
called it, between his former butler, John Hall, and Mason, the agriculturist. To John, 
upon his leaving service, his master had let a small farm, and it had in consequence 
become necessary that he should now and then attend the weekly market at Darlington. 
Thither John was trudging one morning on foot, when he was overtaken by Mr. Mason, 
who had a spare seat in his gig. ' Get up, John/ said the latter, in his plain hearty 
way, ' and I'll give thee a ride/ John expressed his obligation, and accepted the offer. 
1 Now, John,' said Mason, as they were jogging along, 'does thou think that two 
honester men than thou and me'll enter Darnton market this day V ' Answer for 
yoursell, Mr. Mason,' said John, ' I can only speak for one.' Mason the very next 
day, told the story to Surtees in raptures, and it was never forgotten." — Raine. 

Mr. Colling. — " Upon another occasion, we (Raine and Surtees) met, by appointment, 
at Darlington, on an expedition to York. We had as companions in the coach, a lady 
rather above the middle age, and a drab-coated farmer, evidently a man of substance in 
his way, from Barmpton or its neighbourhood. The latter amused us exceedingly for 
some time with ghost stories, and especially with a true and particular amount of how 
Mr Colling, of Barmpton, the great breeder of short-horns, who had died a-while before, 
might be seen every morning through the window of his room, sitting and shaving 
himself after his fashion when alive. I know not that I ever saw Surtees in higher 
glee. Every word that fell from his mouth was fun and frolic, and the farmer, to whom 
he talked in his own plain way, was enraptured with the old-world stories which he 
heard in return." {As to shaving, " here is a Bishopric idea more horrible. He cannot 

rest, sir, he cannot live in t' house. Old 's ghost comes and stands beside 

him every morning as his shavin himsel."] 

P. 306. Emerson. — 1773. Previous to Dr. Charles Hutton's going to London to 
stand examination for the Professorship of Mathematics, in the Woolwich Royal 
Military Academy, he at the suggestion of his friend, Mr. George Anderson, consulted 
the celebrated Emerson, at Hurworth. The necromancer having examined him in 
mathematics encouraged him to proceed, and gave him a letter to the examiners. 
The result is well known in its triumphs. Emerson was so interested in it that he 
wrote to Mr. R. Harrison, then living in the Flesh Market, Newcastle, to ask Hutton to 
send him particulars of the ordeal, and tell him who were his partners in the Critical 
Review. ' I am glad" says he, ' he has met with such success, and that he has got his 
revenge on Clarke, who is a very silly fellow, pretending to what he knows little about. 
He revised my third edition of mechanics, but durst alter nothing, because I remonstrated 
against it, but he has left several faults uncorrected.' — Bruce 's Memoir of Charles 
Hutton, 1823. 

P. 310. Population.— -In 1789 Cade mentions Darlington as having doubled its 

3Ff 



cvi ADDENDA. 

inhabitants in half a century, and as enjoying a temperate wholesome air, at that time 
there being a man, his wife, and sister, inhabitants of one house, whose ages together 
amounted to near 270 years. Consumption was less pregnant there than in any of the 
adjacent market towns. — Archceologia. 

P. 310. Mary Nicholson. — Read 1798 at the commencement of the paragraph. The 
trial took place in August of that year, "for the murder of Elizabeth Atkinson, of 
Little Staynton, and for mixing poison with pudding meat from the eating of which 
four persons now lie dangerously ill. — Guilty, but her case referred to the twelve judges." 
— (Newcastle Chronicle of that date). The next assizes, July, 1799, are reported in the 
same paper : — •' The following prisoners in Durham gaol have been tried, and have 
received the following sentences ; (i. a.) Mary Nicholson, charged with the murder of 
Elizabeth Atkinson, by mixing a quantity of poison with some pudding meat. — Guilty, 
death." The same years at York City assizes, the trial of Ellen Kipling was postponed 
till the next assizes. The Chronicle in narrating Mary Nicholson's execution, says that 
upwards of an hour elapsed before another rope was procured after the first had broken. 
" In the interim she recovered her faculties, and conveised with her unhappy relatives 
till a rope was brought, when she was launched into eternity amidst the shrieks and 
distressful cries of the surrounding spectators." 

P. 317. Tollbooth.—3. Tho. (1512 1) Darlington Rents—" v. shoparum ex parte 
australi domus Theolonei, qualibet shopa ad v.s. — unius shope subtus pilloriam — (other 
shops at the sides of the Tollbooth occur) — domus granorum infra idem Theoloneum — 
265. 8d. de firma custume tinctorie voc' Littferm hoc anno solvend' pro tinctoria burgi — 
125. 8d. de divers' personis pro stallag' et (blank J in foro ib'm." 

1543-4. — Clerk of the Works' account " Derlyngton. Plumbers for mendynge of the 
leddes over the porche of the tollebooyth." 

Pedigree of Allan of Allan's Flatts. — Charles, fourth Earl of Tankerville, was John 
Colville's heir at law. Charles Allan, another co-heir was living as " only son and heir 
of Lionel," at Norwich, in 1800. Jacob Pearson, of Tritlington, the 3rd co-heir was 
also living in that year, and was " only son and heir at law." — Halmot Rolls, Boldons. 

Pedigree of Prescott. — George Allan, in the Sharp MSS., mentions the Prescott tomb 
as of blue marble, close to the west door of the church, and roughly figures the arms, 
which are the usual coat of Prescott, impaling, between 3 fleur-de-lis a chevron charged 
with 3 mullets. 

For 1755 the date of baptism of the first Lord Alvanley, read 1745. 

Pedigree of Hylton. — In the enumeration of quarterings, in No. 14, for " fess" read 
chevron. 

P. xxviii. Allan Estate. — 1833, Oct. 15, 16, and 17. — A portion of the Allan, or 
Blackwell Grange estates in and near the town of Darlington, was sold by public auction 
at the Kings Head Hotel, Darlington. The three days sale produced the sum of 
£29,340. The outlying estates were disposed of at subsequent periods, and the entirety 
of such of the property as was sold under two separate decrees of the Court of Chancery 
fetched about one hundred thousand pounds. 

P. xxxvi in Family History. In t, " St. Cloyd" must be an error for " St. Eloyd," 
or " St. Loy," the patron of blacksmiths — See Surtees, iv. ii. 34.. 

P. Ii. Pedigree of Cornforth. In Langley's survey, 1418, Thomas Cornford held the 
2 mess, and 2 oxgangs " each oxgang containing 15 acres," formerly held by John 
Corneford. 

P. lxxxii. Barnes. — 1580. Darneton, Munqo Barnes, being a slanderer and a 
brawler with his neighbours, did, the 5th July, draw his dagger, and almost killed John 
Appelby the younger, but that two women did resist his purpose ; and then the con- 
stables took him, but did not punish him. Yet forthwith he came again, and set upon 
the constables with a drawn sword, bragging that, if they durst set him in the stocks. 
After that the constables did make hue and cry in the Queen's name, but he did take a 
house and did defend him from punishmect. Does not appear. 

1595. To Wm. Barnes, for the diet of the Judges at Darlington, 40s. — Raine's 
Auckland. 

P. 98. Darlington unfit for receiving Henry VIII. with credit. — 1536, April 25. 
Lord Howard writes to Henry VIII. that he had told the Scotch in answer to their 
proposition that Newcastle should be the place of meeting between the two kings, that 
" your Majesty could not be furnished to your honour, neither with sufficient carriage, 
nor with victuals, nor lodging betwixt York and Newcastle." 

Sessions of the Council of the North at Darlington. — 1536, December 8. " Please it 
your Majesty to be advertised, that on the last day of September last past we began to 
sit at Darneton, in your county of Duresme, for th' administration of justice unto all 
your subjects in those north parts that would complain ; and there continued daily for 
that purpose by the space of one whole month, where we were very well assisted 
by the presence of my Lord of Westmorelande, and also by Sir William Eure, knight, 



ADDENDA. cv ii 

most part of all the same time ; setting then in good stay and order divers and many 
causes between a great number of your subjects in those parts. And considering that 
there were no prisoners within the gaol at Duresme, and also that the plague then 
reigned sore in sundry places of your counties of Northumbrelande and Duresme. we 
thought it expedient not to call or make any assembly of your subjects together in any 
one place thereabouts (having no prisoners there to deliver) but have deferred the same 

until our next return into those parts after Easter next coming At our being 

at Darneton, calling thither before us the Deputy Wardens of your west, east, and 
middle marches foranenst Scotlande, we in your Grace's name, with as good and sore 
monitions as we could devise, admonished them and every of them severally to look 
more surely and diligently unto their duties and charges on your borders "than they 
have done in times past, and to spare no manner of person, but to do take and render 
justice to all subjects of both sides without respect of persons, as they and every of 
them would answer unto your Highness at their uttermost perils : which they plainly 
affirmed and promised to do." One of these deputy wardens says that at Darnton the 
Council " dreadly commanded" him to proceed to Scotlande foranent his charge. 

Scotch Lords at Darlington. — In 1543, a special consultation with the Scotch lords 
was going on at Darneton. " My Lord Lieutenant" was also residing here in May of 
that yeare. In September a number of great personages are found here consulting on 
an invasion of 10,000 men to be made into Scotland, "for annoyance as they trust to 
God shall be done to Scotlande this winter by the West Marchers of Ynglande." They 
advised a frightful course of action in their " opinions." 

It would be tedious to sum up all the business done at Darlington concerning the 
Borders. Yet it may be well to enumerate some of the noble and gentle personages 
then frequenting the place, and filling up the picture of departed pomp and circum- 
stance. Foremost stands the bishop, the gentle Tunstal, who frequently occurs as re- 
siding at Darneton, in company oftentime with Charles Suffolk. The two in July, 1543, 
assure the king that the peace with Scotland on agreement for the match between the 
young Queen of Scots and Prince Edward of England should be proclaimed in this town 
'""upon Monday," (the market day). Suffolk seems to have sometimes resided here 
by himself. We have also William Parr joining the Bishop and Suffolk ; and the 
Bishop, Shrewsbury, and Sir Ralph Sadler. " We have (write the three latter in 1545), 
by proclamation and otherwise, stirred up all the bishopric here, and put them in such 
readiness for the better resistance of the Scots' malice, as they may set forth towards 
the Borders with all possible haste, as the case may require." And again — " The whole 
power of the bishopric here is preparing with all possible diligence to repair unto the 
Borders to minister a further aid and strength unto the wardens if the case shall so 
require." The same year Shrewsbury says, in reference to the victuals for an intended 
aid of foreigners to assist on the Borders, " as for all parts by north of Yorkshire, there 
can nothing be had to serve for this purpose, for I, th' Erie of Shrewsbury, cannot find 
in this country furniture sufficient for mine own household here." Shrewsbury was 
succeeded as Lieutenant -General in the north by the Earl of Hertford, who is found 
here in the same year, 1545, with the Bishop and Ralph Sadler. 

P. 231. Plague.— Hertford removed from Darlington to Newcastle, and in October, 
1545, gives a characteristic notion of the former place. " The plague reigneth in many 
parts of Northumberland, and continueth yet still at Berwick, whereas most part of 
the people of the town are dead of the same, and now beginneth in this town of New- 
castell ; wherefore after I have discharged hence the strangers to London, which are to 
be ' cassyde', and taken order for th' establishing of the garrisons, which shall continue, 
and dispatched the rest ; having tarried here in this town longer than I would have 
done for any gain, but only in respect of my duty for th' order and accomplishment of 
these things, I do intend to remove hence to Dernton, and so to Yorke ; for at Dernton 
we cannot remain conveniently, as well for that the sickness hath been there of late, and 
not yet ceased, as also for that no kind of honest furniture or provision is to be had 
there, for ourselves nor for our horses, by reason that all these three years past the 
Lieutenant and Council with their trains have lien there almost continually, and also the 
strangers, now and heretofore passing through the town, and also lying there, have 
made all victuals, both horsemeat and man's meat, so scarce and dear thereabouts, that 
no convenient provision is to be made there for our furniture any time, ne yet do I 
know any other place meet or convenient for us to remove unto at this present in these 
north ' parties' nearer than Yorke." 

*£* Since printing p. 327, steps have been taken to erect a separate building for the 
purposes of the Darlington Ivlechanics' Institution. The foundation stone was laid on 
the 12th of May, 1853, by Miss Pease of Feethams. The estimated cost is upwards of 
£2,000 ; and it is gratifying to observe that no less than £700 of this sum has been 
subscribed by two ladies : — Miss Pease contributing £400, and Mrs. Barclay £300. TLhe 



evi*i 



RED HALL. 



site is in Skinnergate, and has been purchased of the Earl of Beverley. The style of 
the building necessarily assumes nothing beyond the merit of plain Palladian useful- 
ness. Mr. Joseph Sparkes cf Darlington is the architect, and has contrived a Lecture 
Hall capable of holding six hundred persons, with a suitable Reading Room,- Library, 
Glass Rooms, Committee Room, and Residence for an attendant. 



LITTLE HAUGHTON, OR EEDHALL. 

This manor is so much mixed with the territorial history of Darlington,, 
and so contiguous as a seat, that I am induced to trace its descent with 
some minuteness. 

It first appears as a leasehold for years under the Bishop. ec In Little 
Balghton [var. Halughton]," says Boldon Book, " are five men, who hold 
8 acres conjointly, and each a toft and croft, and they render 5s. 6d., and 
in another part they render for 40 acres a mark. Adam de Selby holds to 
farm the demesne of the same place, with a stock of 2 ploughs and 2 har- 
rows, and with the sown acres, as is contained in the chirograph,* with the 
grange and enclosed court, and he renders 8 marks, and he shall find at 
Derlyngton a litter for the Lord Bishop in his journies ; and moreover he 
keeps at his own charge the houses and the court-house of the Lord Bishop 
at Derlyngton, and whatever is brought thither, in return for a certain 
parcel of tillage (cultura) called Hacdale, which he holds in the field of 
Derlyngton, opposite the hall on the east side across the water. The 
pasture with the sheep is in the hand of the Bishop, but Adam, if he shall 
choose, shall be able to have in the same pasture 100 sheep, but only so long 
as he shall hold the said farm/' 

Here is a manor. The demesne or lord's part leased out. The 
sheep-walk retained. Within the demesne is the grange ; and around it the 
curia clausa, or yard, enclosed with a wall or hedge, and no doubt here, as in 
many other places, with a ditch. Within it was every convenience for the 
inhabitants of the farm, their animals, implements and produce. The ar- 
rangement is very perfect at Wardley near Jarrow, where the Prior had a 
grange, the moat remaining deep and fine. At little Haughton it is much 
decayed, but the great square of mound and moat is still very visible in the 
field adjacent to the present farm house of RedhalL And to the east and 
south smaller enclosures appear, perhaps the tofts of the other tenants, who 
would naturally cluster round the means of safety. At the north east 
corner of the main square is a hollow. Loads of material have been led to 
it, but they always settle down after a season. It is said to make the 
entrance to a passage which leads northward to a tumulus standing in the 
next field close to the Skerne, and at the side of which, next to the river, 
was a well. 

According to some copies of Boldon Book, the smith of Darlington pro- 
vided the ironwork for the ploughs of Little ' Halton ;' but the passage- 
seems an addition. 

* Here an indenture of lease. 



REDHALL. 

Between 1183 and 119 t, Bishop Pudsey, who was nephew to King 
Stephen, granted to William-fitz-William-fitz-Stephen the king, Little 
Halcton with all its appurtenances, to hold by free service oi fifth part of a 
knight's fee, honourably, &c, as any other of his barons held other land inr 
his bishoprick. All freeholders in capite were originally termed barons. 

In the list of knights present at the battle ot Lewes, in 1264, added to 
the auditor's copy of Boldon Buke, we have " Rauff de Middleton a Petit 
Halghton/" The later corrupt copy, said to be found in Lord Conyers' 
study, agrees in substance :< — " Sir Ralph Middleton de Halton." 

In 1403, Sir Richard le Scrop, 1st Lord Scrope of Bolton, died. He 
was the hero ot the Scrope and Grosvenor controversy, and at Hatfield's 
survey held Little Halghton by 6d , or a pair of spurs, on St. Cuthbert's day 
in September. His grandson, Lord Richard, died young, about 1420, seised 
of the manor of Little Haughton, which contained 30 oxgangs, each of 15 
acres, and each worth 95. 9^d. per annum, by knights' service, suit of court 
once a fortnight, and a pair of spurs on the nativity of St. John Baptist, 
or 8s. 4d. His son, Lord Henry, died in J 459, possessed of Little Haugh- 
ton, alias Haughton field juxta Derlyngton,* and leaving Lord John le 
Scrope of Bolton his heir, and, amongst other children, Robert le Scrope. 
Between 1476 and 1483, Alexander Oressener (who must have been trustee 
under some family arrangement) enfeoffs (by license of Bishop Dudley) the 
manors of Little Halghton and Highley Hall,*f- (the latter held of the Earl 
of Westmoreland as of the manor of Raby) with some smaller Durham 
properties, on Robert le Scrope and Catherine [Zouch] his wife, and Robert's 
issue male, remainder to John le Scroope, knt., of Bolton. Catherine sur- 
vived, and on her death in 1515 an inquisition found that the manor of 
Little Halghton was held of the Bishop by fealty and a pair of spurs or 
6d., that it was worth per annum beyond reprizes 131. 6s. 8d. ; and that it 
descended (Robert dying sans issue male) to Henry le Scroope, knt., Lord 
le Scroope of Bolton, as cousin [grandson] of John named in the feoffment.^ 
Robert being seised in fee tail but Catherine only as free tenant, the manor is 
mentioned in the inquisition on Henry, the father of Henry last named, in 
1509,§ Robert then being dead. The Henry who regained possession had 
a son, John Lord Scrope, who by will, 1548, leaves property in Little 
Houghton, Heghlie, Winston, &c, (he had possessions in 55 places), to his 
heir Henry le Scrope. This Henry had a sister Elizabeth, who took 300 
marks by her father's will. || She married Thomas Pudsey, of Bolton and 
Bardford, esq., and to him the manor seems to have been alienated. He 
died in 1568. 

The Pudseys made several small grants, which were partially, at all 
events, purchased up by succeeding owners. In 1582, William Pudsey, 
esq., of Bolton, Barford, and Mortham, in Yorkshire, (son of Thomas) 
granted to George Pudsey, of Walworth, gent., (a younger son, if I recol- 
lect the pedigree rightly) his messuage of Haughton field. In 1587 
George, then of Stapleton, granted his chief messuage in Haughton field to 
John Barnes, L.L.D., Rector of Haughton, who had purchased the adjoin- 

* Surtees. 

+ Heigfrley Hall, per. Winston, belonged to Scrope of Masliam. Robert's mother was 
a daughter but not an heiress of that house, and I assume that Heighley was her marriage 
portion. 

X Clervaux archives. § Surtees. ',| Fryar MSS., G. B. R. 



CX REDHALL. 

ing estate of Hundon closes, in Bondgate manor, of the Killinghalls * 
Hundon closes, in some family disputes, after the Eector's death, in 1590, 
were conceded to his nephew Timothy Barnes, who alienated to the Fors- 
ters. But the manor under consideration fell to his two daughters Anne 
and Margaret, to whom, in 1591, there was a pardon for purchasing from 
their father the manor of Little Haughton or Haughton fields. Anne, the 
eldest, married William Place, gent., and the inquisition of 1599, after her 
death, contains half of the manor, and of Freth moore, &c, parcel of the 
manor, all held of the bishop in capite by a pair of spurs, or 6d., and worth 
yearly beyond reprizes, 61 Her sister Margaret, the wife of William 
Lambton, esq., of Stainton and Haughton field, was her heir, and her 
inquisition post mortem of 1630 gives the same closes in entirety. Of this 
Mrs. Lambton, of Bed House, Charles I. required 15/. in 1625. At that 
time he demanded of his richest subjects a loan, " doubting not but that, 
this being the first time he had required anything in this kind, he should 
receive such a testimony of good affection with such alacrity and readiness 
as might make the same so much the more acceptable, seeing he required but 
that of some, which few men would deny a friend, and had a mind resolved 
to expose all his earthly fortune for preservation of the general/'-)- Of 
course the lady had to pay, for after Henry VIII/s time such demands 
were considered imperative. They were badly or not at all repaid, and were 
one great cause of raising the kingdom to the ferment which ended in the 
destruction of royalty. 

There were again two heiresses of the estate, and of the same names as be- 
fore. n Anne married Nicholas Ohaytor, esq., of Croft, who re-annexed Hundon 
closes by purchase from the Forsters, and otherwise consolidated the estate. 
He lived at Haughton field. Margaret married John Killinghall, esq., of 
Middleton St. George. About 1666 the open fields were enclosed, and a 
partition took place then or sometime after 1657. The manor seems to 
have included the whole of that part of Haughton township south of the 
Skerne. Bed House fell to the Chaytors ; Forth Moor to the Killinghalls. 
The former, I apprehend, was so named from being formed of bright red 
brick in distinction to stone or post -and-pan- work Thus we have the Red- 
house or New-hall, mentioned at Middleton in 1596 ; and what is more to the 
point, Bedhall in Leeds, so called because it was the first such mansion that 
was built of brick, in 1 628. From the same circumstance arises the saying 
— " As red as Botherham College/' There is indeed very fine clay on the 
Redhall estate, and a place is pointed out from whence it is said bricks were 
made. As to Forth Moor, I have very little doubt but that its name refers 
to the old causeway from Neasham through it (see p. 350). The causeway, 
passing along Lingfield Lane, crossed Haughton Bridge, which the old arch 
shews to have been only suited for horse traffic, and went west of the church 
through the piece of churchyard formerly quarried for sand and gravel. 
When a portion of that waste was given as a school-garden in 1814, the 
paved way was discovered at 18 inches below the surface, and 5 cartloads of 
its stones were sold to repair the highways. The road is visible in many 
places between Haughton and Ketton, and thence passed to Sedgefield. 



* He also purchased of the same George half (for the Dycons of Haughton somehow 
had the other half) of le Lyngefyelde or Westefyelde parcel of the lands or tenements of 
the Grange called Halgheton feilde, alias Little Halgheton, containing 360 acres, or there- 
abouts. 

t Clervaux archives. 



REDHALL. cx i 

Whenever the gravel was taken away, bones fell with the undermined soil.* 
In 1816, Mr Scotson measured one skeleton, and found it to be 6 feet 4 
inches from the crown of the skull to the heel. These skeletons are connected 
by tradition with a direful struggle to prevent an enemy crossing the ford 
where the bridge now stands, and weapons of war are said to have been 
found. An unbeliever would see nothing more than an evidence of the 
cemetery having been a very early one. 

In 1675, Sir William Chaytor, bart., (son of Nicholas) settles on his 
marriage Redhouse alias Halghton fields, and by the same description it 
was included in the Act of 1694, or 1695,-f- licensing a sale of the Chaytor 
estates, and sold in 1697-8 to Mr Robert Colling of Long Newton. In 1693, 
William Killinghall, esq., mortgaged Fourth Moore farm, parcel of the farm- 
hold belonging unto Haughton field house, otherwise the Riddhall, and in 
1697, conveyed to Mr Colling. His son. Robert Colling, ot Hurworth, 
mentions in his will (1744) Haughton Fields and Forth Moore. Forth 
Moor went to Leonard Colling, his younger son,J but eventually devolved 
upon Robert Colling, of Hurworth, at whose decease, in 1824, it was sold 
to Mr Hodgson, of Bishop Auckland. Redhall has descended from its 
purchaser Robert through a line of Robert Collings to the present owner, 
Robert Colling, esq., of Redhall. 

The farm house of Redhall is just west of the moated enclosure 
previously noticed. It has a good old oak staircase. The handsome stone 
mansion near it, with its gables, was built in 1830, from the designs 
of P. W. Wyatt, esq., of London. With a picturesque outline, it com- 
bines interior comfort of arrangement, without elaboration of ornament ; 
solid, but not heavy. Mr Wyatt's genius prompted a plan upon* the 
spot, and on the spur of the moment. 

* Inf. Mr Scotson. t Clervaux archives. 

$ Abstract of Forth Moor Title. Allan archives. R. H. A. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



PLATES, &c 



Drawn by Engraved by 



Presented by 



To face 
page 



Frontispiece. — St. Cuthbert's 

Collegiate Church at Darling- The Author Cave & Sod . . R. H. Allan, Esq.. . 

ton. Seep. 219 

c„.»i w;i Bailey, and re- 
Darlington in 1760 &am > mi " engraved by R. H. Allan, Esq.. . 38 

Jnnson . . Cavg & gong 

Stalls and their Misereres in St. r™ , . v T -d tt *n t> mo 

Cuthbert's Church The Author Jewitt .. .. R. H Allan, Esq... 218 

Trinity Church Cave & Sons . . R. H. Allan, Esq.. . 247 

St. John's Church Monkhouse .. John Middleton, Esq. 24g 

Rev. Geo. Thompson, 

tt,,h~„ r>„ CT +i~ tt,~ a„*-u - Stannard and J. B. Burke, Esq., 

Hylton Castle .. The Author Dix on . . .. and R. H. AllL, 

Esq 263 

L °g?aphf T' S . e ! 1S '.? Dd .f Ut .°." The Author Lambert.. .. F. Mewburn, Esq. . . ^ 276 

George Allan, Esq., M. P.. .. T. L. Busby Dean .. .. R. H. Allan, Esq. . . xxi 

Allan Arms R.Baker .. R. H. Allan, Esq. . . xxix 

Blackwell Grange Fred. Peake Cave & Son . . Wm. Allan, Esq. . . xxxi 

Autographs The Author Cave & Son .. R. H. Allan, Esq .. xxxiii 



TABULAR PEDIGREES. 

Compiled by Printed by Presented by 

Pedigrees of Allan, Prescott, &c. The Author G ' 8 ^ R | chard - R. H. Allan, Esq. 

Pedigrees of Hilton The Author G 'J^ Richard ' R. H. Allan, Esq. 

Pedigrees of Clervaux and Chay- ^ Anthor G. B. Richard- John Fenwick E 
tor ., son .... > i 

WOODCUTS. 



Drawn by Engraved by 

Vignette. — The Common Seal ,,,, A ,t t •„. 

c -^ ,. . aii n The Author Jewitt .. 
of Darlington. See p. 2b7 . - 

T •*• i rr ™, x> c* C. B. Rich- G. B. Richard- 
Initial T. The Percy Crescent . 

J ardson . . son 



Arch in the Old Hall 



.. The Author Hare 

Cleghorn 



Seal of Richard III.'s Collegiate 
Foundation at Middleham . . 
Clervaux Badge The- Author Jewitt . . 



Sock burn Church 



The Author 



Presented by Page 
R. H. Allan, Esq. . 



G. B. Richardson.. 



Proprietors of Church 
of England Maga- 
zine .. .. -. 43 

Rev. "W. Atthill . . 93 
R. H. Allan, Esq.. 114 
Proprietors of Church 
of England Maga- 
zine 142 

2>Y% 



CX1V 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Drawn by 



Manor House, temp. Allan the 
Antiquary 

Deanery at same period 

The original Cut of same (from 
the historian Hutchinson's ef- 
fects) is subjoined 

Saxon Stone at Barningham^ 

Saxon Tomb at Bedale. . . . 

Saxou Tomb from Bedale, at 
Theakstone 

Part of Saxon Cross at Bedale 

Saxon Crosses at Aycliffe . . 

Saxon Cross at Hauxwell . . 

Saxon Fibula from Leeming 
Lane 

Effigy at Darlington 

The Common Seal of Darlington 



Engraved by 
Jewitt (from an 

old cut by 

Bewick ) 
Jewitt (from 

same source) 

Bewick 



Presented by Page 

R. H. Allan, Esq.. 187 

R. H. Allan, Esq. . 193 

Mr Matt. Bell 

{ 215 



The Author Jewitt 



Archaeological In- J 
stituteand J. H. \ 
Parker, Esq. . . 



Old Toll Booth, &c. 



Seal of Ralph, the Bishop's 
Farrier 

Old Toll Booth at Thirsk . , 

Arms of W. Bewick, Esq. 
Portrait and Autograph of same 

Window in Ruins of Middles- 
brough Cell 

Circle of Lead found near Black- 
well Hall .. 



The Author 

The Author 

The Author. 
From a 
Drawing 
in Allan's 
Copy of 
Hutchin- 
son's Dur- 
ham 

The Author Jewitt 



Jewitt 
Jewitt 



Jewitt 



Bartholo- 
mew Smith 

The Author 
Chas. Land- 
seer 

The Author 
The Author 



Smyth 
Smyth 



216 
217 



^ 220 
R. H. Allan, Esq.. 217 
R. H. Allan, Esq. . . 267 



R. H. Allan, Esq. . 271 



Archaeological Insti- 
tute 274 

Proprietors of Church 
of England Maga- 
zine .. .. \. 317 

Mrs. Bewick , . . . 341 

Mrs. Bewick . . . . 342 

Proprietors of Church 
of England Maga- 
zine 364 

Albert Way, Esq.. 374 




ILLUSTRATIONS. 



cxv 



IN DIVISION VI. AND ADDENDA. 



Drawn by Engraved by 

Allan Arms.. Chapman 

Seal Lof Richard Hilton, Bailiff The Author C ave & Son .. 

of Darlington (Double size) . . 

Seal of Geoffrey de Neville . . Blore . . Cave & Son . . 

Ar p m8 ; f r f Thomas Hilton in The Author Cave & Son .. 

Croft Church 

Autographs of Richard Clervanx The Author Richardson .. 

Seals of Alan Menill and Wife, rp, A ., T ... 

a , ' J he Author Jewitt 

See p. lxxx 

Seal of John Lord Scrope . . The Author Cave & Son . . 

Gypciere found near Yarm . . The Author 

Autograph of Sir Harry Vane . . From Sharp's Collections . . 



Presented by 
R. H. Allan. Esq. . i 

R. H. Allan, Esq.. ii 
R. H. Allan, Esq.. xxxii 
J. Fenwick, Esq. . . lxxiii 
J. Fenwick, Esq. . . Ixxv 
J. Fenwick, Esq. . . Ixxix 

J. Fenwick, Esq. . . lxxx 
Archaeological Insti- 
tute, and J. H. 
Parker, Esq . . xcviii 
W. H, Brockett, Esq. cxvi 



IN THE PEDIGREES OF ALLAN, <fcc. 



Allan Arms 

Sixteen Shields and Arms, the 

Quarterings of Allan 
Seal of Dr. John Barnes from 

the Clervaux Castle Archives 
Boss of Arms of Killinghall . . 
Seal of John Killinghall . . 
Seal of Geoffrey de Neville 
Seal of Henry Ewbanke . . 



T. Robson 
The Author 



The Author 
The Author 
Blore 
The Author 



Chapman 
Cave & Son 



Jewitt 
Cave & Son 
Cave & Son 
Cave & Son 



R. H. Allan, Esq. 
Mrs. Allan 



The Author Cave & Son . . R. H. Allan, Esq. 



R. H. Allan, Esq. 

R. H. Allan, Esq. 

R. H. Allan, Esq. 

R. H. Allan, Esq. 



IN THE PEDIGREES OF HILTON. 



Arms of Hilton of Darlington . . The Author 

Arms of Hilton, from Hilton g. p gj lari) 

Castle ' F 

Arms of Bowes from Streatlam G Qrnshy . 

Castle 

Arms of Marley 

Seal (double ske) of Richard The Authof 

Hilton, Bailiff of Darlington 
Arms of Hilton of Burton . . J. Hill . . 
Seal, formerly belonging to John rj-,^ Author 

Hilton, Esq. 



Jewitt 


. R. H. Allan, Esq. 




W.H. Brockett, Esq. 




W.H. Brockett, Esq. 




Miss Taylor 


Cave & Son . . 


R. H. Allan, Esq. 


Spencer . . 


Rev. Geo. Thompson 


Spencer . . 


Rev. Geo. Thompson 



CXV1 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



IN THE PEDIGREES OF CLERVAUX, &c. 



Drawn by 

Clervaux Crest The Author 

Seals of Clervaux and Chaytor The Author 

Seal of John Clervaux . . . . The Author 
Arms of Sir Richard Clervaux, 

formerly on his Mansion at The Author 

Croft, and now in Croft Church 

Clervaux Badge The Author 

Autograph of Sir Richard Cler- ™, » ,, 

Boss of Arms of Killinghall . . The Author 

Hylton Arms, on Hylton Chapel Sir C. Sharp 

Autograph of John Clervaux . . The Author 

Seal of same The Author 

Conclusion of Clervaux Cartulary The Author 

Chaytor Arms on grant of them The Author 

New Arms granted to Chaytor J. Storey.. 

Seal (double size) of Sir William m, A .-. 

Chaytor .. The Author 

Arms of John Fenwick, Esq. 5 and T , A .-, 

Shields, and allied families . . J ne Autnor 

Seal of Henry Percy, Earl of B 1 o r e (i n 

Northumberland Surtees) . 

Seal of Ralph Neville, the first Blore (in 

and great Earl of Westmorland Surtees). 

Percy Badge of the Crescent . . 

Neville Badge of b. b. (Bertram „,. ■ . L , 

Bulmer) .. lhe Author 

Neville Badge of the Dun Bull G ,l 9; nsb , y 

fromRaby (m Sharp's 

J memorials) 

Fenwick Arms 



Engraved i 
Cave & Son 
Jewitt . . 
Jewitt . . 

Cave & Son 

Jewitt 
Richardson 
Jewitt . . 

Richardson 
Jewitt 
Jewitt 
Jewitt .. 
Utting . . 

Cave & Son 

Jewitt 

Jewitt 

Jewitt . . 
Cave & Son 
Jewitt .. 

Jewitt . . 



Presented by 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 

J. Fenwick, Esq. 

R. H. Allan, Esq. 

J. Fenwick, Esq. 

R. H. Allan, Esq. 
W. H. Brockett, Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 

J. Fenwick, Esq. 

Mrs. Fenwick. 

J. Fenwick, Esq. 

J. Fenwick, Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 

J. Fenwick. Esq. 
J. Fenwick, Esq. 




GENERAL INDEX 



Abbot, of St. Mary's, York, 192, 

Abbott, 170, 256, 339, 36S. 

Abrey Pickhalls, 201. 

Acre, worth of, 90. 

Adamponds land, lii. 

Addison, 241, 257, 279, lvii. 

Addv, 104, 2S4. 

Afferors, 272, 287- 

Agnes and Anne identical, 139. 

Agues the traveller, 233 

Aajuew, lv. 

Agnus Dei, 203. 

Agiicultuie. 153. 304, 307, 368, cv. 

Aire. xci. 

Aiselby, 244. 

Albion Street, 247, 311. 

Aldborough, 232. 

Ale, 78, 89, 272, 287. 

Allan family, 8, 12, 29, 33, 39, 113, 117, 

130, 139, 159, 173, 187, 188, 192, 201, 

247, 257, 264, 268. 297, 300, 336, 359, 

360. lviii, lxxvii., xcii,, civ. 

Memoir and Pedigree of, iii., cvi. 
Allan, Miss Ann, 241, 300, 309, 356, vi. 
Allan, James, 256, 262, 269, 281, viii,xxxii. 
Allan, George, the Antiquary, 6, 7, 31, 144, 

217, 219, 225, 259, 263, 298, 314, 315, 

316, 348, xi. 
Allan Tracts,6, 35, 144, 256, xii. 
Allan, George, M.P.,6, 219, 317, 360, xxi., 

xxxii. 
Allan, R. H., 113, 117, 1S9, 192, 249, 

331, 347. xxix, cii, ciii. 
Allen, lv. 

Allanson, 11, 37, lxxxviii. 
Allison ,19, 243. 
Almshouses, 261, 266. 
Altar, 101, 202, 214. 
Alum, 30. 
Alwent, 209. 
Ambler, xxv. 
Ambrose, 257. 
Anabaptists, 230. 
Anderson, 131, Ixxxv. 
Annat Thome, 33. 
Ansell, 241. 
Appleby, 205, 251. 
Appleton-upon-Wiske, 351. See Pedigree 

of Allan 
Appleton, xiv. 
Apprentices, 263. 

Archbishop Derlington, of Dublin, 122. 
of Samos, 240. 
of York, 46, 72. 
Archdeacon Newton, 4, 7, 147, 154, 234, 

279, 280, 290. 
Archdeacon of Durham, 4. 



Archers, 297. 
Archer Street, 254. 
Architecture of the Church, 213. 
Arden, 185. 
Area of town, 329. 

parish, 323. 
Argent, 234. 
Annan, 275. 
Armorial bearings, 151. 
Armstrong, cii. 
Ashenden, 260. 
Ashmole, 234. 
A ske, 98. 

Askew, 130, 137, 242. 
Aslakby, 275. 
Asquith, 229. 
Assendale, 200. 

Atkinson, 121, 204, 310, 341, 344. liv., cvi. 
Aubane, iv. 

Auckland, 4, 194, 236, 270, 350. 
Auction by Inch of Candle, 262. 
Aumbries. 214. 
Austell, 205. 
Averilla, name of, 229. 
Awde-warpe door, 236. 
Aycliffe, 25, 75, 215, 231. 
Aylmer, 29. 
Ayremynne, 194. 
Bacchus, 229. 
Backhouse, 12, 135, 262, 265, 272, 283, 

312, 318, 331, 334, ci. 

arms, &c, xciii. 
Back-house, 287. 
Bacon, 150. 
Bagpipes, 289, 352. 
Bailey, 38, 318, xvii 
Bailiff, 90, 136, 151, 188, 258, 261, 272, 

277, 278, 282, 286, lxxxiv. 
Bailiff Close, 272. 
Bainbridge, 357. 
Bainbrigge, 150, 333, cii. 
Bakehouse and hill, 87, 144, 271, 274, 295 
Baker, xxvi. 
Balcanqual, 132. 
Ballads, 171, 319. 
Balloon, 322. 
Balls, xi. 
Bambro', 230. 
Bandinel, 344. 
Bank Close, 137, 323. 
Bankes. 113. 
Banks, 301, 334. 
Bank, the, 117. 
Bank Top, 82. 
Baptism, 141, 229. 
Barber, 315. 
Barber Surgeons, 333. 



GXVlll 



INDEX. 



Barclay, 331. 

Barguests, 16. 

Barker, 264, 274. 

Barkers, 267. 

Barmston, 274. 

Barnard or Barnabye, Lord, 171, 173. 

Barnard Castle, 20, 231. 

Barnes, 12, 121, 136, 138, 141, 149, 150, 151, 
237, 263, 268, lxiv. Pedigree, lxxxi. 

Barningham, 215 

Baroness of Darlington* 178. 

Baronland, ci. 

Barton, 44, 130, 192, 201, 204, xxvii, lxi, 
lxxxviii. 

Barwick, 354, li. 

Basire, 117, 354, ci. 

Basnett, 303. 

Bastards, 131, 229, 287, 292, 303. 

Bates, 300. 

Bathgate, 55. 

Bathing, 18. 

Baths, 331. 

Battle at Darlington, 78. 

Battle at Haughton, 161. 

Batty, 241. 

Bavet, 290. 

Baydales, Baydale Bank, Bathel, Bathley. 
Battlelaw, Battlefield, &c, 8, 9, 11, 38, 
55, 88, 114 et seq., 191. 197, 200, 232, 
273. 284, 322, 354, ci. 

Baydlebeck Inn, 354. 

Beadle, 240, 272, 303. 
Beaumont, 240, 358. 
Beckfield, 136, 137. 

Beck with, xvii. 
Bedale, 86, 215. 

Bedale Bank, 1 18. 

Bedbourn, 147, 148. 

Bee, xciii. 

Beechgrove, 63. 

Beecroft, 136, 286. 

Been Close, 264. 

Beke, 205, 275, 276. 

Bele, 194. 

Belies house, 268. 

Bell, 152, 223, 238, 239, 240, 244, 256,257, 

258, 268, 269, 270, 278. 
Bellamye, 130, xciii. 

Bellasis, 8, 31, 38, 160, 178, 261, 264, 334, 
xlvi., lxiii. Connection with Bowes, liii., 
lv. 
Bellassis Head, 152. 
Bellingham, lxxi. 
Bellman, 272. 
Bellringing, 128, 228. 
Bells, 86, 203, 236, 237, 239, 246, 268. 
Bellwood, 240. 
Belte, lxxxiii. 
Benefit Societies, 334. 

Bennet, or Benedict, Bennet's Lands, and 
Hall, 112, 189, 196, 201, 237, "268, 274, 
xxxiv., lvii. 
Benson, 249, lviii. 
Bertram, 150. 
Besfield, 87. 
Betessu, 266. 
Bettes, 192, 277- 
Bewick, William, 6, 242, Memoir of, 341 : 

Thomas, xix. 
Bichborne, 86, 206. 
Bier, 240. 



Biggins, 136. 
Bigland, x. 
Bill, 333. 
Billingham, 107- 
Billings' View of Church, 219. 
Binks, 199,200, 201, 230. 
Bird, 11. 198. 

Birkbeck, 257, Hi., lxxxvii. 
Biscopflat, 189. 

Bishops of Durham — their privilege.*, 23, 55, 
82, 189, 259, 272, 276, 288, 
289, 291. 
Manorhouseat Darlington, 62, 71. 
87, 96, 101, 143, 151, 152, 
153, 188, 198, ciii. 
Officers of same, 189, 277- 
Barons, 55, 191. 
Park, 336, 71. 
Mills, 283. 
Coins, 71. 
Sheriff, 192. 
Bishops at the parliament of Edinburgh, 351 . 
Bishop of Coventry, 220. 
Bishop Aldune, 1 , 46, 48, 57. 
Barbara (St.), 61. 
Beake, 37, 70, 189, 196, 275. 
Beaumont, 74, 252. 
Bury, 77. 
Booth, 91. c. 
Bainb ridge, 97. 
Barnes, 121, 269, (see family of 

Barnes). 
Butler, 160. 
Barrington, 161. 
Carilepho, 59, 193. 
Cosin, 23, 141, 269, 288, 291, cii. 
Crew, 151. 
Chandler, 155, 295. 
Dudley, 91, c. 
Eadmund, 57. 
Eadred, ib. 
Egelric, ib. 
Egelwin, ib. 
Egerton, 160. 
Flambard, 47, 60. 
Farnham, 69. 
Fordham, 90. 
Fox, 96, 277, c. 
Graystanes, 77. 
Hatfield, 79, 95, 119,205. 
Hutton, 124. 
Howson, 128. 
Insula, 70, 351. 
James, 127. 
Kirkham, 69. 

Kellaw, 74, 82, 189, 205, 209, 275. 
Langley, 39,73, 91, 208. 
Marisco, 67- 
Matthew, 42, 124. 
Monteign, 128. 
Morton, 128, 222. 237. 
Mild«rt (Van), 165. 
Maltby, 167. 
Neville, 91, 194, 195, 202, Ixvii., 

lxxi. 
Neile, 128. 
Pudsey, 34, 46, 48, 62, 101, 188, 

194, 202, 213, 273. 
Poicteu, 67. 
Poore, ib. 
Pilkin'gton, 102, 256. 



INDEX. 



cxix 



Bishop Rufus, 60. 

Rnthall, 97, 203, 278, 

Sticbill, 70,211. 

Skirlaw, 90, 202. 

Sherwood, 71, 91. 

Sever, 97, c. 

Tunstal, 30, 32, 95, 98, 197, c, 

Talbot, 1 55. 

Trevor, 160. 

Thurlow, 161. 

"Walcher, 49, 59, 194. 

Wolsey, 45, 98, 191,206, c, 
Bishopric, 21. 
Bishopwearmouth, 122. 
Black Banks, 5. 
Black Bull [nn, 251. 
Blackelock, 258. 

Blackett, 122, 161, 230, 234. 235, liv. 
Blackholme, 116. 
Blackmantle, 229. 
Blackstone, 302. 

Black well (passim), etymology, 5, manor, 
114, ci., hall, 118, 325, 336, (see Bay- 
dales), grange, vi., xviii., xxx. 
Blackwell book, 290. 
Black well common, lii. 
Blackwell family, 7, 88, 114, 196, 209. 213, 

263, ci. 
Blackwell field honse, 139. 
Black wellgate, 5, 251, 261, 265, 287. 
Blackwell hill, 262. 
Blackwell holme, 11, 116, 117- 
Blackwell lane, 14, 129 
Blackwell moor, 234, 263. 
Blackwell nook, 192. 
Blac medle, 269. 
Blakey, 144. 
Blakiston, 105, 109, 112, 128, 145, 146, 

147, 204, 239, 276, 290. 
Bland, 231, 267, 279. 
Bleaching, 26, 166. 
Blenkinsop, 143. 
Blind Adam, 230. 
Blindness, 230, 232, 236. 
Bloodhounds, 236. 
Blore's view of church, 219. 
Blue boar inn, 332. 
Blue coat school, 228, 265. 
Blue stone, 41. 
Blund, 64. 
Boazman, 328. 
Bodies, 292. 
Bolam, 333. 
Boldon book, 62, 144. 
Boll measure, 284. 
Bolton, 232. 

Bonaparte, Louis Napoleon, 347. 
Bondgate, 29, 143, 191, 192, 200, 247, 253, 

266, 271, 283, 330. 
Bondgate book, 92, 292. 
Bondlands, 88, 89. 
Bondmen, 274. 
Bone, 244. 
Bonefires, 237, 241. 
Booksellers, 5. 
Booth, 117, 268. 
Boots, 232. 

Bordland, 116, 293, li. 
Bordwheat, 293. 

Borough, 63, 191, 202, 261, 271, 274, 277, 
286, 292, 295. 



Borough books, 285. 

Borough court, 7, 37, 135, 136, 278, 285. 
Boroughman, 291. 
Borrowby, 44. 
Borrowses. 336* 
Botcherby, 243, 264, 266, 336. 
Bottle Hull, xcii. 
Boucher, 229, lxxxi. 
Bost, 123. 
Boulby, 132. 
Boulders, 164. 
Boundaries, 192, 256. 
Bouswell, 210, 231. 
Bowbank, 129, 144, xciii. 
Bower, 12, 120, 129, 131, 204, 299. Pedi- 
gree, Ixxxv. 
Bowes, 12, 99, 104, 110, 13S, 150, 169, 170, 
191, 201, 251, 298, 308, 324, 355, xlvi., 
cii. Pedigree, liii., xci. (See also pedi- 
gree of Hylton for the early Streatlam 
descents.) 
Bowes, Stony, 308. 
Bowman, 333. 
Bowser, 320. 

Boyes, 233, 238, 251, 285, lxxxviii. 
Brabant, lxxxv. 
Bracken, 115. 
Bradshaw, xciv. 
Brafferton, 189. 

Brakenbury, 79, 87, 102, 139, xlii., lxi. 
Brancepath, 239. 
Brandling, 111,276. 

Brankin Moor, 40, 55, 114, 136, 137, 144, 
151, 191, 192, 237, 260, 261, 271, 272, 
287, 292, 293, 319. lii., ciii. 
Branson, 11, 144, 149, 229, 287, 333, lii., 
lxxxvi., lxxxviii., cv. Branson House, lii. 
Brasses, 214. 
Bread, 87, 272, 287. 
Brereton, 290. 
Brewers, 332. 
Brewfarm, 295. 
Brewster, lviii. 
Brickfield, 120. 
Bricklayers, 165. 
Bricks, 144. 
Briefs, 229, 269. 

Bridges, Croft, 2, 19, 20, 32, 41. 104, 107, 
141, 153, 352. 

Blackwell, 11, 18, 40. 

"Whorlton, 20. 

Ketton, 26, 351. 

Moudon, 27, 40, 186. 

Darlington, 38, 39, 40, 42, 101, 
124, 292, 299, 335, 351. 

Haughton, 38, 39. 

Walkebrigg, 38. 

Norton and Hardwick, 38. 

Burdon, 39. 

Priestgate, ib. 

Workhouse lane, ib. 

Railway, ib. 

Nought or Snipe, 40, 291. 

Oxenfield, 40. 

Northgate, ib. 

Cockerton, ib. 

Brankin moor, 40, 293. 

Tyne, 42. 

Barnardcaftle, ib. 

Piersebridge, 42, 134, 159, 186, 
290, 35.1, 



cxx 



INDEX. 



Bridges, Yarm, 42. 

Barton, 44. 

Northgate mill dam, 111, 283. 

B-oraan, 350. 

Ebchester, 351. 

Streatlam, ib. 
Brige, 205. 

Briggate (a name for Tubwell Row), 39. 
Briggie loaning, 192. 
Brigghill, ib. 
Briggs, xc. 
Bristowe, 113, lviii. 
British antiquities, 349. 
Briton, 198. 
Broach, 124. 
Broad scoine, 192. 
Brockett, 139, 235, xxi. 
Broken scarr, 317. 
Brompton's chronicle, 33. 
Brookbank, 234. 
Brown, 17, 235, 248, 250, 286,291, 301, lv., 

lady, lxxxiv. 
Browne, Sir William, 354. 
Brownrigg, 17. 
Brunton, 229. 

Bras, Bruce, 68, 77, 204, lxiv. 
Buck, 141,264, lxxxiv. 
Budles, 268. 
Bullbaiting, 295. 
Bull Wynd and Inn, 126, 140, 192, lviii, 

lxxxviii., xc. 
Bulman, 278. 
Bulmer, 96, 98, 126, 164, 192, 249, 286, 

lviii., lxxxviii. 
Buhner's Stone, 164. 
Bunny, 118. 

Burdon family, 126, 151, 204. 
Burdon, 198. 

Burdy, 301. ♦ 

Burgesses, 191, 261, 272, 282, 286, 289. 
Burial, manner of, 227, 232, 240, in woollen, 
154, of Miss Allan, vii. 
fees, 228 , by night, xliii () time of, 226. 
register, 231. 
Burleston, 293. 
Burlison, 186, 347. 
Burnsides, 235. 
Burrell, 245. 

Burton, 118, 143, 148,246. 
Bushell, ]97, 200, 201. 
Butchers, 286, 295. 
Buterleria, de, 189. 
Butler, 256. 
Butt Close, 264. 
Butter, 272, 287, 318. 
Butterby, lxxvi. 
Buttery, 189, 242, 265, 266. 
Buttrick, 354. 
Byelaws, 143, 290. 
Byerley, 147. 
Byers Gill, 158. 
Byland Abbey, 202. 
Cabery, Ixviii. 
Cade, 35, 214, 217, 219, 262, 299, 310, cv., 

memoir, 313. 
Cald, 114. 

Calverley, 240, 242, 264, 265, 298, lxxxiv. 
Camden, 22, 31, 32, xvi. 
Canals, 359. 
Capsay Hill, 38. 
Carlbury, 113. 



Carlisle, 251. 

Carl ten. 333. 

Carlton Close, 263. 

Carmichael, 341. 

Carpenter, early contract with, lxv. 

Carpenters, 166, 205, 275. 

Carpetweavers, 166. 

Carr, 251, 266. 280, 293, xxi., Ixxxv., 

Ixxxvii., Ixxxix, 
Carriages, 152. 
Carter, 197, 199, 201. 
Carucate, 90. 
Castell, 282. 

Castle Hill, 8, 19,88, 114, 117, 119, 188, 192. 
Catherick, 230, 232, 233, 266. 
Catkill Lonnin', 126, 349. 
Cats, 327, 331. 
Cattle, 275, 296, 301, 303, 330, 369, xlix., 

xcvi. 
Cattlegates, 192. 
Catton's gang, 354. 
Causeways, 39, 291. 
Cauville, 235 (Colville). 
Cawell, 234. 
Celts, 349. 
Cemetries, 243. 331. 
Census, 304, 312, 318. 322, 323. 
Central Hall, 167, 326. 
Cerf, lxxi. 
Chaises, 356. 
Challonweaver, 333. 
Chambers. 136, 284. 
Chambre, 197, 258. 
Chancel, 196, 197, 201, 219. 
Chancery, 150. 
Chandlemaker, 333. 
Chanters, 197, 200. 
Chantries, 197, et seq. 214, 260, 269. 
Chapel of Badlefieldi 197, 200. 
Chapel of St. James, 187, 197, 198, 199. 
Chapels, Dissenting, 250, seq. 
Chaplains, 197. 

Chares, Chaireate, 7, 151, 268. 
Charge, 6, 303. 

Charities, 242, 252, 253, 334, lv. 
Charleton, 245. 
Chaytor, 111, 153, 291, 297, 343, 352,358, 

360, 369, lvi., lxxi. Memoir, lxxv. 
Cheavit's Farm, 260. 
Checking, Ixviii. 
Cheeses, xcvi. 
Cheislev, 38. 
Chests,*188. 
Child, 15, 333. 
Chilton, 300. 
Chinamender, 333. 
Chipchase, 54. 
Chippey, 231. 
Christ, Painting of, xviii. 
Christian Visiting Society, 334. 
Christmas, 267. 
Church, 8, 44, 66, 1C6, 125, 344. detailed 

History, 193. 
Church, Architecture of, 213, (see 236, et 

seq.) 
Church Door, 151. 
Church Rawe, lxxxix. 
Churchwardens, 113, 204, 221, 223, 228, 

258, 263, 267, cv. 
Churchwardens' Accounts, 236. 
Churchyard, 145, 239, 242, 268, 288. 



INDEX. 



CXXl 



—or. '274. 
Civil Wars, 129, ci. 
Clapham, 221,279. 

Clapperton, -222. 
Clarence Railway, 365. 
Clarke, J 31, 206", 226, 243, 2.37- 
Clarkson. 205. 2>7. 
Clarvbutts, 130, 136, hxxvii. 
Claxton, 112, 221, 279, 2S2, 297, 309. 
Clay Row, 232, 252, 2S3, 299. 
Clement, loo, 301, cii. 
Clementson, 257. 
Clergy, destitute state of, 241. 
Clerke, 197. 
Clerk of the Court. 272. 
Clerk, Parish. 228, 236, 238, 270. 
Clerks in Church, 196. 
/Clervaux, 32, 114, 199, 239, 240, 282. 

Memoir of, lix. 
Clifford, 290. 
Clifton, 244. 
Climate, 330. 

Clock, 204, 236, 238, 239, 241. 
Cloudeslev, 307. 
Cloogh, 321. 
Coaches, 355. 
Coachmakers, 165. 
Coal, 30, 31, 113, 233, 286, 357, 361, 

lxxvii. 
Coal Street, 38, 118, 357. 
Coarson, 144, 333. 
Coates, 199, 241, 272 ; 279, 301, 303, 309, 

xciv. 
Coatham Mundeville, 70, 189, 19S, 312. 
Coatsworth, lxxxviii. 
Cock, lxxxix. 
Cockerell Holme. 283. 
Cockerton, Familv, 209. 
Cockerton,4, S. 29, 38, 40. 47, $5, S9, 129, 

132, 136, 144, 192, 251,336. 
Cockerton Gate, 4. 
Cockerton Tithes, 201. 
Cockfleld, 122. 
Cocktishting, 297. 
Cocks, 294. 
Cod, 239. 
Coffin-rests. 44. 
Coffins, 45, 214, 243, 
Coins. 73 , i$6, 336. 
Coldsides, 234. 
Cole. 85. 

College at Durham, 140. 
Collens, 199, 269. 
Colliers, 2^7. 
» Collins. 141, 144. 204. 239. 244, 245, 249, 

254, 303. 304, 339, 369, cv. 
Colman, 134. 
Colthard,210. 
Colthirst, 239, 256, 292. 
Coltman, 302. 
Colville, (235), iv. 
Combe, 158. 
Comberford, 25. 

Commercial Street, 247, 249, 252. 
Commissioners of Local Act, 329, 330. 

-mission in dissolution, 198. 
Commonalty, 2? 7- 

Commonwealth Commissioners, 140. 
Communion, 240, 241. civ. 
Communion Plate, 203, 241, 249. 
Communion Table. 236. 



Comyn, 1 15. 

Concordance, 212. 

Coniscliffe. 48, 139, 232, 326, lxiii., lxxxiv., 

xcix. 
Coniscliffe Caldron, 15. 
Constable, 108. 
Constables, 202, 290, 352. 
Convent of Durham, 22. 
Convent of Mountgrace, 37. 
Conventual Properties. 202. 
Conyers, 10, 98, 106, 142, 192, 210, 256, 

279, 294, 295, 296, lvi.. xciii. 
Cooke, 222, 229, 233, 239, 240, 257, civ. 
Cooper, 138, 238, (223). 
Coopers, 165. 
Copley, 248. 
Copper Shilling, 240. 
CoppeTthwaite, 354, li. 
Copyholds, 143, 144, 145. 154, 270, 283. 
Cordwainers, 282, 313. 
Corker, 287. 

Corn, !57, 189, 289,310. 
Corn Causeway, 287. 
Corney, 218. 
Cornforth, 89, 110, 116, 117, 118, 124, 129, 

144, 147, 148, 204, 239, 258, 261, 263, 

264, 283, 294. xlix. Pedigree, li. 
Coroner, 232, 275, 278, 293. 
Corrody, 62. 
Cotherston, 44. 
Cottagers, 88, 89. 
Cotton manufactory, 313, 333. 
Counsellar, 234. 
Countess, 115. 

Countess of Darlington, 180. 
County Courts. 325. 
Coup, 223. 
Court Close, 272. 
Covering Mares, 301. 
Coverlid worker, 333. 
Cowton, 44, 60. 131, 268. lx., kiv. 
Cragss. 234. 
Craike, 44. 

Crathorne, 230, 231, xciii. 
Crawford, 251, 266, lv. 
Crescy. 229. 
Crier, 236, 272. 
Cries, 59, 115, 338. 
Crime, 17, 160.203,221. 
Croft, 19, 133, 352, xviii.. lx. 
Croft Railway, 363. 
Croft Wells, 23S. 
Crofton, civ. 

Crompton, 131. 220, 288. 
Cromwell, 139/ 
Crosses, 33, 44, 81, 192, 215. 
Crossflatt, 82, 130, 391. 
Crossley, 237- 
Crosswoods, 81. 
Crown Inn, 126. 
Cuckiug Stool, 27, 286. 
Cunningham, 300. 
Carafes, Perpetual, 221. 
Curfew, 204, 22s-. 238. 
Curriers, 166, 282. 
Custom of Accounts. 291. 
Customs, 338. 
Cuthbert, St., 6. 44. 4 ' 
Cuthbert, 292 
Dacre, xciii. 
Dagley, 17. 

3f§ 



CXX1I 



INDEX. 



Daine, 249. 

Dale, 136,204, 279, 281, 

Dal ton, 195. 

Danby, 85, 244. 

Dancing, 290. 

Dan Raby Neville, 85, 206. 

Darcy, lv. 

Darley, 131. 

Darling, 7. 

Darlington, Etymology of, 2. 

Darlington, and Darnton Family, 5, 35, 83, 

217, 231,301,310, xcix. 
Darlington House, 335. 
Darlington in Scotland P 172. 
Darlyng Close, 2. 
Darnton Trod, 354. 
Darnton Yatts, 4. 
Darrington Family, 102, 111. 
Davies, 81. 

Davison, 29, 39, 129, 146, 204, 230. 
Dawson, 300. 
Day, 303. 
Daykins, xcii. 
Dean and Chapter of Durham, 40, 271, 

xxvii. 
Deanery, 129, 193, el seq., 220, 269, civ. 
Deans, 196, 206. 
Deans, rural, 196. 
Deaths, 329. 
Deanyem, lxviii. 
De Bello, 300. 
Deeds, execution of, 150, 
Defoe, 22, 31,38, 
Deinvile, 76. 
Delahaye, lxiv. 
Delaval, 41. 
Delinquents, 138. 
Dent, 11, 210, 230, 236, lvii., xcv. 
Derlington, Archbishop, 212. 
Deriington, Ecclesiastics so named, 212. 
Derlyngton, Prior, 83, 211, 
Dennis, 139, 144, 237, 238, 239, 240. 
Denny, 353. 
Denton, 117, 234, civ. 
Dial, 238. 
Dialect, 338. 
Dibdin, 10. 
Dick's Hatband. 304. 
Dickon Kists, 93, lxxxiv. 
Dickson, 197, 210, 268. 
Dinner on Easter Tuesday, 238. 
Dinner on St. Paul's Day, 267- 
Dinsdale, 198, 212. 
Dirt, Darlington in the, 124. 
Diseases, 231,330. 
Dispensary, 318, 334. 
Disraeli, 325. 
Distemper, 296. 
Districts, Ecclesitical, 247, 248. 
Dixon, 235, 288, 302, 316, 360. 
Dobbing, 347. 

Dobson, 144, 204, 231, 233, 258, 260,280. 
Docketh, 5. 
Doctors , xcvi. 
Dod,87. 

Dodmire, 191,272,336. 
Dodsworth, lv., lxxvii. 
Doe Park, 44. 
Dog and Gun, 271. 
Dogs, 234, 288, 323. 
Doles, 151, 263, 264, 276, 299, vii. 



Dominicus, 229. 

Donewick, 351. 

Donkan, 90, 221. 

Doors, ancient, 332, 336. 

Dossy, 284. 

Douglas, 77, 78, 133,232. 

Dowcroft, Dovecrofts, 112, 268. 

Dowdie, 114, 117, 192. 

Dowe, 89. 

Dowell, 249. 

Dowker, civ. 

Dowles, 192. 

Downev, 242. 

Douthwaite, 128. 

Drama, 295,300,301. 

Drengage, 64, 88. 

Dresses, ladies', vii. 

Drink for clergy, 223, 239, 

Drinking, 291, 292. 

Drownings, 11, 129. 

Drunken Barnaby, 293. 

Drunkenness, 234, 320. 

Duckett, 278. 

Ducking Woolcombers, 337. 

Duckstool, 286. See Cucking Stool, 

Dumbness, 234, 241. 

Dunbar the Poet, 270. 

Dun Cow, 332. 

Dunghills, 123, 286. 

Dunkirk, 134. 

Dunwell, lxxxiv. 

Duresme, 7, 197. 

Durham, 9, 135, 231, 275. 

Dutchman, 233. 

Dyer, 261. 

Dyers, 20, 63, 87, 88, 274, 283, 297, cvi. 

Dykes family, 230. 

Dykes, 33, 192. 

Dysart, 156. 

Earls, of Northumbria, 48. 

Earthquake, 30, 35. 

Easby, 87. 

Easby Abbey, xviii., 202. 

East and West Myers, 38. 

East Bottom, 118. 

East Holm, 118. 

East Row, 265. 

Easter Hall, 289. 

Easter Sepulchre, 213, 218. 

Easter Sunday. 242. 

Eastgate, 136, 140. 

Eavesdroppers, 286. 

Eccentricities, 254, civ. 

Ecclesiastics, named Darlington, 212. 

Eden, 225, 241, 251, 255, 298, 301, lviii. 

Edmondson, xi. 

Effigy, 216. 

Egerton, 290. 

Egglescliffe, 4. 

Elder, 160. 

Electors, (see Four and Twenty). 

Elesbankes. 29, 87. 

Elgy, 144, 204, 264, 293, lii. 

Elling, 3, 29, xcix. 

Ellis, 357. 

Ellison, lxxxvii. 

Ellstobb, 129, 238, 268, 293. 

Ellvis, 29. 

Elly Hill, 137. 

Ellyngmedowe, 29, 87, xcix. 

Elstantoftes, 8, 29, 88, 192, xcix. 



INDEX. 



CXXUi 



Elwin, 165. 

Emerson, 39, 135, 144, 198, 204, 229, 231, 

369, lvi., lxxxvi., xcii. 
Emerson the Mathematician, 304, cv. 
English. 225, 229. 
Eryholme, lxxi. 
Estwick, 136. 
Ettrick. 263, 356. 
Etymology, 1, 21, 27, 192. 
Eure, 29, 96, 188, 235, lxxxiii. 
Evered, 124. 
Ewbancke, 116, 152. 
Ewell, 195. 
Excise 294. 

Exchequer Lands, 88, 89, 90, 92, 114, 192. 
Excommunication, 72, 230. 
Executions, 110, 121, 302. 
Exhibition of 1851,333. 
External Lands, 118. 
Eye Watson, 233. 
Faber 274, xxxiv, 
Fairbarne, 200, 258, 278, 282. 
Fairs, 111, 272, 275, 288, 330. 
Families, i. 
Farm, 64. 
Farralas, 113. 
Farrer, 170, 331, cii. 
Farrier, Ralph the, 274. 
Fauna, 22, 24, 370, xvii. 
Fawcett, 147, 204, 232, 238, 264, 286, 2S9, 

294, Hi. 
Feasts, 242. 
Fees, 228. 

Feethams, 145, 189, 195, ciii. 
Feetum, 260. 
Felo-de-Sea, 275. 

Felons, Asso. for prosecution of, 302. 
Feltmonger, 333. 
Fenny, 130, lxxxvii. 
Fenwick, 18, 233, 352. 
Ferry and fords at Black well, 11, 120, 291. 

Neesham, 17, 42, 96, 104, 
142, 186, 2S9, 203, 308. 

Darlington, 38. 

Cockerton, 40. 

Rushyford, 75, 26, 352. 

Sockburn, 101, 186. 
Ferryhill, 239. 
Fetherston, 231. 

Fetherstonhaugh, 112, 116, lxxxii. 
Fidlers, 289, 290. 
Fieldhouse, 8, 144, 264, 2S1. 
Finchale Priory, 275. 
Finley, 239. 
Firbank, 11. 
Fire-bricks, 333. 
Fire-pence, ci. 

Fires, 240. 318, 322, 323, 324, 328. 
Fish, 22, 24, 26, 32, 59, 65, 70, 87. 302. 
Fisher, 251. 
Fishery, 87, ci. 
Fitz David, 202. 
Fitz Ralph, 90. 
Fitzroy, 183, 185. 
Flax, 311. 
Flaxdressers, 17- 
Fleece Inn, 296. 
Fletcher, 181, 269, cv. 
Flint, 234. 
Flintoff, 301. 



Floods, 19,41, 241, xcix. 

Flora, 32, 372. 

Flounders, 302. 

Flower pot, 268. 

Fly conveyance, 210, 356. 

Foggitt, 253. 

Folly, xcix. 

Font, 216, 236, 239. 

Forcett, 1J. 

Ford, 224, 244. 

Foreigners in trade, 332. 

Foresters, 334. 

Forestier, lv. 

Forge, 87. 

Fornication, 210, civ. 

Forrest, 270. 

Forth family, 182, 295, xliii. 

Forth, 26, 349. 

Forth moor, Frythfield, &c, 191, 349,350. 

Foster, 82, 130, 137, 261,263, 265,266, 
276, ci. 

Foundlings, 45, 229. 

Fountaine, 130. 

Four and twenty, 258, 267- 

Four banks, lii. 

Four Riggs, 82. 

Fox, Ixiv. 

Foxheads, 239. 

Foxhunts, 302, 325. 

Framwellgate, 3. 

France, 115, 191, 192, lii. 

France, war with, 153. 

Frank, 310. 

Franklin, 85, 280. 

Free borough man, 291. 

Freehold of Darlington, 271. 

Free tenants, 88, 89. 

French doctor, 234. 

Freville, 132. 

Frontsteads, 287. 

Frosts 20. 

Froude, 333. 

Fryer, 335. 

Fryth, ci. 

Fullers, 333. 

Fulling, 26. 

Funerals at Auckland, 350. 

Fycton, 189. 

Fyton, lxiv. 

Gainford, 11, 19, 208, 350. 

Gale, xii. 

Gales, 319. 

Galleries, 227, 228. 

Galilee, 46, 216. 

Gallon, 286. 

Game, 35. 

Gamesters, 242. 

Gantree, 292. 

Garden of workhouse, 189. 

Gardeners, 166. 

Gargett's cockpit, 297. 

Garnett, 114, 116, 117, 144, 235, 284, liii., 

ci. 
Garth, 55, 85, 225, 268. 
Garth ends, 116. 
Garthorne, 117- 
Gascoigne, 120, 229, 295, lxxi. 
Gate, 489. 

Gateshead, 76, 122, 225, 234, 354. 
Gaunt, 60. 
Gawtmyre, 191. 



CXX1V 



INDEX. 



Geese, 192. 

Geneva House, 262, 271. 

Gent, 19, 230. 

Gentill, 88. 

Geology, 329. 

Gerard, 23, 145, 146, 147. 148, 239, cii. 

Gesford, 221. 

Gibson, 234, 279. 

GiflWd, 121, 128, 131, 140. 201, 283, 288, 

lxxxiii., lxxxv. 
Gil], 130, 145, 292. 
Gilpyn, 29. 
Gipciere, xcviii. 
Girlington, 240. 

Glassensikes, 12, 138, Hi., lxxxiii. 
Glasses optical, 318. 
Glebe, 82. 

Glover, 149, 268, 284, 333, Ixxxii. 
Glovers, 286. 

Glover's Wiend, 149, 192, 266. 
Gobyun, Ixii. 
Godsend, 46. 
Gold currency, 300. 
Golden Cock, 332. 
Golden Lion, 265. 
Goodden, 295. 
Gougb, xii., xvi. 
Goldsbrou^h, 251. 
Goundry, 40, 147, 262. 
Gower, 109, 112. 
Gragiete, 267- 
Grain, 353. 

Grammar School, 7, 223, 256, 272, 303, civ. 
Gramshaw, 235. 
Gramswhas, 234. 

Grange, 119, 159, 291, vi., xviii., xxx. 
Grange Close, 240. 
Grange Close Loaning, 138. 
Graubou, 191, 205, lxxi. 
Grant, 221, 270 
Grapes, 159. 
Grassmen, 192, 272. 
Gravel beds, 118. 
Gray, and Grey, 85, 117, 129, 138, 204, 

283. 
Greatham Hospital, 208. 
Great Monday, 275, 335. 
Great North of England Railway, 366. 
Green, 41, 322. 
Greensyte, 354. 
Greenwell, xcv. 
Greenwich Manor, 201. 
Greets, 113, 131, 150. 
Greeve, 272. 

Gregory, 138, 233, xci., xciii. 
Gregson, civ. 
Greystock, 46, xcix. 
Greystone, 143. 
Grimsley gill, 38. 
Grismes, 205. 
Gromball, 8, 88. 
Grose, 13, 31, xvi. 
Groser, 231. 
Groves, 16. 
Grundstone. 186. 
Guides, 352. 
Gule, 284. 
Gunson, 309. 
Gurney, xciv. 
Guy, 136. 
Habbs, 15, 



Hackesby, 198. 

Hackney Coach, 353. 

Hadington, 205. • 

Hadoke, 277. 

Haget, 274. 

Hagger Leazes branch Railway s 363. 

Haigh, lvii., lviii. 

Hailes, 276. 

Halcland, 289. 

Halekeld Holme, 90. 

Hall, old, see Manorhouse. 

Hall, surname, 15, 1J5, 138, 223, 233,234, 

235, 239, 252, 257, 260, 272, 278, 302, 

303, cv. 
Hallflat, 274. 
Hallgarth, 189, 197. 
Hall-land, 144. 
Halliwell. 332. 

Halmote, 134, 136, 271, 329. 
Hammond, 17- 
Hamper Carr, 29J. 
Hardgyll, 206. 
Hardstaffe, 136. 
Hardy, 235, 257. 
Harewood, 350. 
Harewood Hill, 13, 14. 
Hargett, 250. 
Hargrave, 129. 
Harker, xxxi. 
Harperley, 210. 
Harrison, 2, 8, 9, 30, 129, 134, 151, 210, 

224, 235, 245, 246, 268, 279, 304, xxiii., 

lv., lviii., lxxxix., civ., cv. 
Hart, 130. 
Hartlepool, 10, 278. 
Hatcher, 134. 

Hatfield's Survey, 4, 87, 144. 
Hatter, 287- 
Haughton, Halghton, 1, 4, 5, 8, 15, 160, 

166, 198, 204, 205, 240. 273, 300, 312. 
Haughton Field, 141, 207, 231, lxxxiii., and 

see the Addenda. 
Haughton Rector, 201. 
Hauxwell, 215. 
Havelock, xxvii. 
Havingdone, lxiv. 
Hawsley. 328. 
Haydon,343. 
Hayton, 244, 249. 
Hazlitt, 343. 
Headman, 244, 261. 
Head Row, 141, 221, 260, 268. 
Heads Closes, 139. 
Health, 329, 330. 
Hearth money, 240. 
Heavis,des, 338. 
Heber, 297- 
Heddon, 240. 
Heddons, 139. 
Hedley, 229. 
Hedworth, 130, 229, ci. 
Hedwyk, 204. 
Hegge, 1.16. 

Heighington, 1, 154, 194, 198, 259. 
Heighington family, 130. 
Helcote, 29, 144, 204. 
Hell, 28, 29, lxi., xcix. 
Hellkettles, 4, 217, xcix. 
Helmer Arm, 29. 
Hemington, 226. 
Hendons, 138. 



INDEX. 



cxxv 



Henireta, 230. 

Hens, 88, 89. 

Heppel, lxiv. 

Heriol, 232. 

Heron, 38, 268, 985, lvii., lxxxix. 

Hermitage, 129, 236, 283, 285, 292,293, 

ci. 
Herrings, 59. 
Hesile, 205.. 208. 
H^slegrave, 333. 
Heughe, civ. 
Hewetson, 204, 241. 
Hewgill, lvi. 
Hewis, 200,201. 
Hewitt, 301. 
Heworth, 204. 
Hexham, 204, 208, Ixv. 
Heyrick, 225. 
High Holmes. 1 1 . 
High Moore, '130. 
High Row, 149, 151, 265, 266. 
Highwaymen, 354, li. 
Highways, 37, 40, 202, ciii. 
Hill, 19,' 35, 117, 201, 235, 303, xcvii. 
Hill Close House, 40, xcii. 

Kill House, 130. 

Hilton, 81, 96, 136, 139, 141. 182, 199, 
203, 241, 262, 283, 293, 361, memoir 
xxxiii., liv., lvi., Mi., cvi. 

H incite, 286. 

Hird, 16. 

Hirdmen, 192, 272. 

Hirings, 275. 

Histories, 347- xvi. 

Hob, 15. 

Hobby, 109. 

Hob's Hole, 15. 

Hodgson, 112, 144,200,223,230,231,243, 
251, 257, 264, 281, 283, 289, 298, civ., cv. 

Hogarth, 250. 

Hogg, 37, 346. 

Hoggett, 247, 264. 

Hole in the wall, 332. 

Holinshed, 33. 

Holland, 301. 

Hollingsworth, 264. 

Holme, 278. 

Holme Bank, 11. 

Holme Wood, 1 1. 

Holmes, 238, 245, xcix., ci., ciii. 

Holume, 204. 

Holy Island, 275. 

Holy water, 204. 

Home Garth, 118. 

Hooper, 233. 

Hope, 222, 236, 238, 257, 268, 269, 280. 

Hopkins, 251. 

Horn, 50. 

Horner, 11,264,266,268. 

Horse close, lii. 

Horseman, 279. 

Horsemill, 129, 132, ci. 

Horses, 113, 301. 

Horticultural Society, 325. 

Horticulture, 310. 

Hospital, 273. 

Hotham, 134. 

Hoton, 87. 

Houndwells, 38. 

Hourglass, 237. 

House, ancient contract for building, lxv. 



Housewife, 284. 

Howard, 134, ci. 

Howdens, 238, 262, lv., lvi. 

Howell, 227. 

Howitt, 9. 

Hudson, 249. 

Hull, 195. 

Hulme, 208. 

Humble, 219. 

Humblesyke, 291, c. 

Hungate, 37, 137, 267, 274. 

Hundons, 191. 

Hunmanby, 205. 

Hunsdens, 242. 

Hunter, 251, 291, 306, lvii. 

Huntershielefield, 38. 

Hunwick, 152. 

Hurworth, 1, 15, 20, 40, 191, 231, 235, 

304, 338. 
Hurworth family, ci. 
Husband, 17, 151, 237, cii. 
Husbandlands, ci. 
Husbandman, 191. 
Husdons, 210. 
Hutchinson's 40, 117, 155, 201, 256, 304, 

309, 314, 347, xv., xx. 
Hutton, 40, 124, 136, 137, 148, 205, 237, 

lii., cii., cv. 
Hyde, 153. 
Iceland, lxvii. 

Iconomi, 267. 

Ierton, 85. 

I^nis fatuus, 14. 

He, 130, 268, lxxxvii. 

Improvement Act, 321. 

Indies, 240. 

Infanticide, 17. 

Ing, 2, 29. 

Ingleby, 207, 213, 218, lxv. 

Ingleton, 145. 

Ingmethorpe, 222. 

Ingram, 123. 

Inklestock, 238, 261. 

Inns, 126, 150, 151, 296, 332, lvii. 

Innell Lonnyng, lxxxii. 

Insula, 194, 195. 

Irish, 129, 236, 240. 

Iron, 333. 

Isle, the, 25. 

Jack, 238. 

Jackson, 17, 290, lxxxv. 

James, 353. 

Jameson, 113. 

Janitor, 87, 189. 

Jeffraison, Jefferson, 130, 204. 

Jellett, 239. 

Jennison, 130, lxxxix. 

Jenny, 105, 109, 112. 

Jersey comber, 333. 

Jervaux, 33, 202. 

Jewbury, lxv. 

Jewel, 203. 

Jewett, 238 

Jews, 254, lxi., lxv. 

Johnson, 224, 233, 241 . 242, 251, 256, 257, 
261,304. 

Johnston, 245. 

Joie, 63. 

Jolly, 19. 

Jordison, 329. 

Jorevin, 293. 



CXXV1 



INDEX. 



Judges, 23, 236. 

Jury, 136, 286. 

Justice room, 325. 

Justices, xxv. 

Kate, 63. 

Kay, 31. 

Kay Close, 38. 

Kelde, 197- 

Kellaw, 89. 

Kelly meadows, 137, 

Kelsey, 55. 

Kelsoe, lvii. 

Komble, 191, 300, 

Kendal, 284. 

Kendrew, 283, 311, 318, 331, 333, xcix. 

Kennet, 143, lv. 

Keppell, 156. 

Kepyer, 202. 

Kettlewell, 151. 

Ketton, 198, 234, 349, 351. 

Killesby, 79. 

Killinghall, 110, 113, 130, 131, 141, 234, 

276. 
Kilnegarth, 38, 112, 267, civ. 
King's evil, 240, bis. 
King's Head, 201. 
King's house, 92, 
Kings, (See Rcyal). 
Kipling, 252, 333, cvi. 
Kirby, 136. 
Kirkenny, 194. 
Kitching, 245. 
Kitty, 317. 
Knaresbrough, 288. 
Knaresdale, 197. 
Lady kirk stile, 45. 
Laing, 241, 279. 
Lakenby, 16. 

Lamb, 144, 236, 265, 327. 
Lambert, 285. 
Lambcross, 81. 
Lambflatt, 117,268. 
Lancaster, 210. 
Lancashire, 229. 
Lanchester, 194. 
Langdale, 233. 

Langdrafts, 89, 114, 117, 118, 192, ci. 
Langleydale, 108, ci. 
Langsike, 191. 
Langton, 194. 
Larchfield, 336. 
Lasceiles, 126, 204, 283. 
Lassingby, Lazenby, lxxxviii., xci. 
Lawnence, 244, 346. 
Lawson, 11, 122, 229, 250, 293. 
Lawyers, 150, 229, 295, 302, xxxvii. 
Layer stalls, 227. 
Lead, 300. 

Leaden circle found at Blackwell, 188, 374. 
Leadyard, 249. 
Leager, 238. 
League, 130. 
Leak, 72. 
Leas, 235. 
Leaseholds, 40, 271. 
Leather, 272, 283, 333. 
Leather Mill, 283. 
Leaver, 269. 
Leche, 191. 
Ledge, 238. 
Lee, 16, 229, 259, 297, xlv. 



Leek farm, 295. 

Leeming, 34. 

Leger, 227. 

Leighton, 17. 

Leland,2, 10,31, 36,38, 100, 

Leopold, 129. 

Lepers, 273. 

Lepton, 196,206. 

Le Roy, xxxix. 

Lewlin, 29.* 

Library, 228. 

Lickplate, 186. 

Liddell, 147, 192, 229, 236, xviii., lxxvii., 

lxxviii. 
Lightfoot, 139. 
Lighting, 321. 
Lightning, 294, 300, 324. 
Lights in church, 200. 
Lilburn, 139. 
Lindley, 201 , 252. 
Linen manufacture, 10, 26, 153, 164, 165, 

261, 283, 296, 301, 302, 310, 311, 312, 

318, 323. 
Linholme, 8, 83. 
Ling, 2. 

Lingfield Lane, 350. 
Linskell, 131. 
Lisle, 25, 150, 151, 251, 261, lxxxiii., 

lxxxvii, xciv. 
Lister, 233. 

Literary and Philosophical Society of New- 
castle, xix. 
Literature, 322. 
Litster, 198. 
Littferm, cvi. 
Little, 286. 

Little Haughton, 65, 90, lxxxiii. 
Little Ings, Hi. 
Living, 227. 
Local Acts, 329. 
Local families, 5. 
Lodge, 144, 145. 
London, 356. 
London citizens, 135. 
Londonderry, Marquis of, 182, 264. 
Long, 129. 
Long Close, 201. 
Long Newton, 186. 
Longevity, 285, 330. 
Longstaffe, 11, 144, 184, 229, 237, 239, 

240, 241, 272, 293, 295, xlvii. 
Lord Darlington, 171. (See Title.) 
Lorriman, 232. 
Louthre, le, 7, 88, ci. 
Lovall, 296. 

Low Cow Pasture, 118. 
Lowden, 221. 
Low Parke, 278. 
Lowrey, 302. 
Lowson, 245, 262, xcvii. 
Lowther, 201, xxxvi. 
Luccock, 5. 
Luck, 15.234. 
Lumlev, 49, 85, 96. 101, 113, 127, 128, 

147, 238, 241, 286, lxvi., Ixxxix., cii., 

ciii. 
Lumpe in the Houghe, 1 13. 
Lunatics, 303. 
Lyne, 284. 
Lynn, xlviii. 
Lyre, 269. 



INDEX. 



cxxvn 



Macame, 232. 

Mac Laren, 329. 

Maddergarthes, Matliergarthes, 55, 143, 

274. 
Maddison, 181. 
Magennis, 316. 
Magistrates, 325, xxv. 
Magnus, 43. 
Mail coaches, 355. 
Maine, 144. 
Makeado, lxxi. 
Malcolm, 345. 
Malman, 333. 
Man, 23. 
Manfield, 41, 204. 
Manors, 131, 136, 171, 201. 
Mark, 191, 341. 
Market, 1, 10, 32, 73, 87, 101, 234, 272, 

275, 282. 286, 296, 335, c, cv. 
Market cross, 210. 
Market place, 209, 252, 287. 
Mark stones, 116, 192. 
Marie pits, 29. 
Marlev, 146, 189. 
Marriages, 150, 222, 230, 252, 282, 301, 

xxxix. 
Marriage fees, 228. 
Marshall, 29, 63, 139, 144, 150, 197, 198, 

199, 204, 206, 240, 257, 279, 312, cv. 
Marshes, 191, 250. 
Martin, 229, 254. 
Mary Queen of Scots, 345, 
Mason, 235, 291, 304, cv. 
Masons, 17, 22. 
Master, title of, 80, 131. 
Masters of the Church, 267, cv. 
Mathematicians, 304. 
Mathew, 136, 148. 
Maturin, 344. 
Maude, 323. 
Maugham, 210. 
Maxom, 329. 
Maxwell, 316. 
Mayland, 115, 292, Hi. 
Maynard, 303. 

Meadows on the Skerne, 2, 278. 
Measures, 272. 

Mechanics' Institute, 321, 335. 
Medical, xcvi. 
Medici, 236. 
Meetkirk, 257. 
Melmerby, 206. 
Menel, lxxx., 249. 
Mensforth, 235. 
Merchants, 292, 333. 
Merest, 227. 
Merlay, lxii. 
Metcalfe, 283, 286. 
Metham, lv. 
Methodists, 253. 
Metingham, 194. 

Mewburn, 167, 190, 244, 272, xc, xcvi. 
Meyrick, 201. 
Micklemires, 139. 
Mickleton, xliii. 
Midam close, 200. 
Middleham, 93. 
Middleholme, 117. 
Middlesbrough, 364. 
Middlesbrough and Guisbrough Railway, 

366. 



Middlesbrough and Redcar Railway, 366. 
Middleton, 7, 88, 113, 114, US, 12*9, 130, 

131, 136, 138, 139, 144, 151, 153, 195, 

204, 233, 23S, 24S, 251, 252, 256, 258, 

261, 263, 268, 276, 313, 322, 333, 344, 

354, li., lv., lvi., ci., cii. 
Milbank, 120, 161, 163, 170, 185, 235, 245, 

248, 336. 
Militia, 152, 153, 159. 
Miller, Craddock & Co., 323. 
Mill bank, 19. 
Mill close, 201. 
Mill holme, 3. 

Milifield nigh Black well, 140, lii. 
Mills, 7, 11, 15, 19, 26, 63, 87, 88, 89, 121, 

129, 132, 144, 147, 276, 283, 318, 330. 
Millstones, 132. 
Millott, 137. 
Mills, Andrew, 152. 
Minton, 247, 249. 
Molineux, 316. 
Monasteries, 202. 
Moncaster, 297. 
Monk, General, 135. 
Monkend, 130, xcvi. 
Monmouth, 151. 
Montague, 117, 306. 
Monuments, 223, 242, 243, xxx., civ. 
Moore, 295, 297, lxxxiv. 
Morden Carrs, 26. 
Morgan, 291. 

Moriall, Morrell, 83, 313, ci. 
Morice, 201. 
Morland, 257. 

Morton, 89, 199, 204, 232, 267, lvi. 
Mortuary, 204. 
Moses, 40. 
Moulter, 284. 
Mountebank, 293. 
Mousetrap maker, 234, 
Mowbray, 158, 264. 
Mowdon, 40, 187, 292. 
Mud house, 126. 
Mud wall, 261. 
Mundeville, 274. 
Murder, 233, 278, 297. 
Museum, xviii. 
Musgrave, 171, 173. 
Music, 153, 289, 307. 
Mussey Wray, lxxxix. 
Mustard men, 285. 
Muster, 195. 
Nag's Head, 223, 264. 
Nanton, 269. 
Nateby, 16. 
National school, 265. 
Neighbours, 144. 
Nelson, 39, 218, lviii, 
Nesbit, 18. 

Nesham family, xcvii. 
Nesham, 15, 17, 19, 161, 202, 221, 230. 
Nesham cross, lxiv. 
Nesse, 191. 
Nessfield, 38, 113, 131, viii., and see in 

Allan pedigree. 
Nevelson, 116. 
Neville, 8, 49, 81, 83, 88, 101, 103, 113, 

115, 117, 120, 129, 130, 149, 184, 201, 

203, 207, 240, 259, 332, xx. lxvi., lxvii., 

lxxi., lxxxv. 
Newark, 203, 307. 



cxxvm 



INDEX. 



Newby, 339. 

Newcastle, 69, 146, 231, xxxvi. Ixvii. 
Newcastle, Marquis of, 134. 
Newcastle and Darlington Junction Kail- 
way, 367. 
Newspapers, 7, 152, 299, 327. 
Newsroom, 335. 

Newton, 7, 17, IS, 112, 210, 236. 
Newton Ketton, or Newtown, 299, 296, 

310, 349. 
Nichols, 219, 235, xix., Ivii. 
Nicholson, Mary, 311, cvi. 
Nicholson, 113, 144, 150, 204, 237, 256, 

297, 311, xii., cvi. 
Nicholson's hill, 130, 131. 
Nicknames, 11, 18, 45, 46, 109, 130, 149, 

229, 232, 233, 231. 
Ninneyfield, civ. 
Ninth rigg, 55. 
Nixon, 251. 
Noble, 265, 266, xxiii. 
Nonconformity, 250. 
Nonsolvents, 239. 
Nordykes, 14, lii. 
Norfolk, 99, and see the Addenda. 
Norris, 251. 
Northallerton, 134. 
Northfield, lii. 
Northgate, 39, 40, 137, 153, 164, 252, 261 , 

263, 264, 299, 335. 
Northgate house, 164. 
Northman, 7. 

Northumberland, Earls of, 48. 
Norton, 14, 32, 107, 109, 111, 150, 194, 

205, 208, 227, 244. 
Norwich soldiers, 289. 
Noutebrigg, lii. (see bridges). 
Nought fair, 40, 275. 
Nunnery, 9, 250, 281. 
Nunstainton, 2. 
Oaks found, 12. 
Oar, 234. 

Obits, 198, 199, 202. 
Odd-fellows, 165, 325. 
Offices, 272. 
Ogle, 141. 
Oglethorpe, 159. 

Ord, 254, 296, 297, 310, 349, 354. 
Orders, 286. 
Organ, 237. 
Orleyenes, 276. 
Ornsby, 242. 
Orre, 7. 
Oswold, 47, 139, 149, 150, 204, 210, 241 » 

285. 
Otters, 21. 
Outward, 64, 88. 
Overend, 333. 
Overseers, 202, 236, 258. 
Ovington, 11, 257. 
Oxenhale, Oxenhall, Oxenlefield, &c, 4, 

8, 19, 33, 64, 84, 85, 88, 120, 143, 174, 

201, 203, 279, lxvii., lxxxv., lxxxviii. 
Oxenhal-flat, 4, 88. 
Oxenhall family, 8, 88. 
Oxford, 278. 
Oxgang, 7, 62, 92, 135, 143, 152, 192, 195, 

276, c. 
Packering, 124. 
Painters, 166, 341. 
Paintings, xix. 



Palmer, 120. 

Palmes, 279. 

Pape, 151, 260. 

Pape's charity, 268. 

Paper, 237. 

Papists, 121, 145. 230, 233, 234, 249, 289. 

Paradise Chapel, 253. 

Paris, 129. 

Parish, 269. 

Parish books, 151, ci., cih 

Parish clerk, 270. 

Park 2. 

ParkStreet, 253. 

Parker, 116,323. 

Parkin, 251. 

Parkinson, see Perkinson. 

Parliament, 168, 182. 

Parliamentary representation, 135, ciL 

Parry, 238. 

Parsonage, 12, 37. 

Partridges, 324. 

Passes, 134, 236. 

Passing Bell, 223. 

Patents, 333. 

Patie's Nook, 127, 328, 

Patronage, 270, cv. 

Patteson, 40. 

Patterson, 17, 160. 

Pavinsr, 125. 

Peacock, 33, 161, 263, 279, 304, 324. 

Pearse, 17, 113, 130, 132, 159, 167, 169, 

195, 235, 252. 
Peas, 337. 

Pease, 297, 313, 331, 333, 336, xciv., eh\ 
Peat, 320. 
Peel, 167, 347. 
Peg Powler, 15. 
Pelliparius, 274. 
Pemberton, 116, 117, 290. 
Penance, 210, civ. 
Pennant, xiv. 
Penny, 104. 
Pennyman, xcvi. 
Peny master, 206. 
Penyferme, 90. 
Pepper, 185, 264, 290. 
Percv, 52, 103, 108, lxv. lxxi. 
Perient, 200. 
Perkins, 129. 
Perkinson, 29, 86, 113, 114, 116, 137, 229, 

235, 256, 262, 278, 279, 293> lx xxiii 
Peruke-maker, 333. 
Pestilence, 195, 221, 231. 
Peter and Paul, 233. 
Peverley, 252. 
Pew-book, 227. 
Pews, 237. 
Pharaoh, 229. 
Philipp, 257. 
Phillips, 158, 293. 
Pichall, 151. 
Pickhalls, 201. 
Pickering, 241, 259, 261, 270, 
Pickray, 235 

Pilkington, lxviii., Ixxxiv. 
Pierremont, 132, 336. 
Pierse 297 300. 
Piersebridge, Persore, 2, 23, 133, 134, 159, 

164, 184, Ixxxiv., ci. 
Pigg, 242. 
Pikes, 26, cii. 



INDEX. 



CXX1X 



Pilgrimage,' 98 

Pilkington, 103. 239, 293, 310. 

Pillory, 295. cvi. 

Pin, 177. 

Pinder, Punder, 40, 63, 64, 37, 89, 90, 138, 

292. 
Pinder Close, 155. 
Pindar Haver, 238, 262. 
Pinder Land, 89. 
Pinkney, 265, xcix. 
Pipes, 289. 
Piscina 213. 
Place, # 54, 116, 276, 2S8, liii., lxix., lxxv.. 

Ixxvii., Ixxxiii., ci, ex. 
Plague, 5, 68, cvii. 
Plate, 293, 299. 
Platen, 180. 
Plates, 203, 219. 
Plebeian, 235. 
Plumbers, 166. 
Poets, 6 35, 257, xxxviii. 
Poisoning, 301, 310,320. 
Polam, Polinpole, 19, 87, 138, 328, 335, 

xcix. 
Polish Jew, 302. 
Pollard, lxxxix. 
Pollen, 265. 

Poor, 220, 263, 286, 303. 
Poor Moor, 264. 
Poor Rates, 334. 
Pope Nicholas' Tax, 194. 
Popular Sayings, 151,304. 
Population, 22, 298, 304, 310, 312, 318, 

322, 323, 329, cv. 
Porcacio, 63. 
Porter, 171, 189. 

Post, 18, 150, 151, 170, 285, 303, 352, cii. 
Posthouse, 312, 318. 
Posthouse Weind, 7, 266, 268, 285, 299. 
Postmaster's Daughter, 155, cii. 
Pothow, 89. 
Potter, 112,210, 233. 
Pounteys, li„ lxiv. 
Powder Blue, 234. 
Powells, 234. 
Pratt's Buildings, 252. 
Preachers, 269. 

Prebends, 4, 80, 131, 194, 195, 207. 
Prebend Eow, 4, 131, 192, 299. 
Priestgate, 4, 37, 87, 131, 192, 197, 201, 

260, 271, 299, 330. 
Priestman, 250. 
Priestmenholme, 201. 
Presbyterians, 251. 
Prescott, 112, 138, 139, 144, 153, 185, 204, 

223, 238, 258, 260, 264, 292, 332, 336, 

lxxxii., lxxxviii., xcix., civ., cvi. 
Prescott Mansion, 14, 118. 
Prescott's stile, 14, 81, 291. 
Preston, 254, 302. 
Prestwick, xix. 
Primitive Meihodists, 254. 
Prince Robert, 176. 
Princess Margaret, <fcc. (see Royal). 
Pringle, 127. 
Prints, 314, vii„ xx. 
Prior, 211, 277. 
Pritchett, 251. 
Proctor, 333. 
Pronunciation, 338. 
Proud, 304, 312. 



Proverbs, 21, 31. 

Ptolemy, 235. 

Pudding-pie-hill, 119. 

Pudsey, 133, 151, lxxi., cix. 

Puke, 326. 

Pulpit, 237. 

Punch-Bowl, 268. 

Punder (see Pinder,). 

Puritanic names, 129, 140, 229. 

Pyburne, 283. 

Quack Doctor, 339. 

Quakers, 154, 158, 229, 230, 249, 251, 266, 

cii. 
Quoit Club, 326. 

Raby, 35, 101, 120, 134, 185, 209. 
Race, 127. 

Races, 293, 295, 310. 
Racing, lvii. 
Raftyard, 252. 
Ragmarian, 231. 
Railwaymen, 166. 
Railways, 36, 39, 359, xxix, 
Raine, 240, 347, xciii. 
Raisbeck, 244, xxxvii, 
Ralph, 89. 
Randolf, 79. 
Raskelf, 86. 
Ratcliffe, 112, 230, liL 
Ratcliffe Close, 230. 
Ratholes, 241. 
Rats, 317. 
Rates, 134. 
Ratten Raw, 288. 
Raumer, 9. 
Raven, 234. 
Ravensnab, 118. 
Ravnard, 231. 
Ray, 231. 
Raynard, lxxxix. 
Reason, 230. 
Reave, 200. 

Rebellion, 98, 103, 158,191. 
Rebuses, 7- 
Rectory, 201. 
RecuSants, 210, 237, 238. 
Redbreast, 322. 
Redesdale, 270. 

Redhall, 161, cix. See Little Haughton. 
Reed, 240. 
Reform, 165. 

Registers, 129, 221, 222, 225, 229, 238. 
Rejoicings, 128, 160, 161, 165, 185. 
Relics, 94. 
Rell, 2, 114. 
Renale, 269. 
Rennie, 155. 
Jftevill, 231. 
Rewe, 285. 
Rewmond, 90. 
Reynold, 268. 

Rhymes, 61, 85, 125, 333, 337- 
Rice carr, 234. 
Richardson, 6, 117, 200, 230, 238, 239, 257, 

258, 302, 306, xliii., lviii. 
Richardson's yard, 299. 
Rickatson, 268. cii. 
Rickby, Ixxxvii. 
Richmond, 9. 
Ricknild, 314. 
Riddell, 240. 
Rievaulx, 202, lxi. 

3fII 



cxxx 



INDEX. 



Rig, 63. 

Ring, 47. 

Ringing, 128, ci. 

Riots, 157, 160, 324. 

Rising of the North, 103. 

Ritson, 310, xvii. 

Roads, 9, 25, 39. 40, 187, 210, 213, 217, 

330, 349. 
Road to Croft, state of, 159. 
Robinson, 129, 144, 197, 210, 253, 256, 

257, 297, 300, c. 
Robson, 7, 155, 190, 224, 225, 235, 241, 
257, 301, 303, 316, 321, 341, 369, 373, 
xlvii., lvi. 
Roby, 250. 
Rockcliff. 22. 
Rogers, 250. 
Rogerson, 130. 
Rogue money, 236. 
Rokesby, 232. 

Roman Catholics (see Papists). 
Roman antiquities, 187, 314, 349. 
Roofs, 213, 218, 269. 
Rose and Crown, 268. 
Roses, 374. 
Rotheram, 191. 
Roughrider, 333. 
Roveston, 196, 205. 
Row, 4. 
Rowter, 144. 
Roy, 234. 

Royal arms, 139, 228, cii. 
Royal events, 42. 
Royal personages (England). 

Hatheolf, 50. 

Ethelred, 1, 46, 48. 

Ulphus, 47. 

Hardicanute, 48. 

William I., 49, 57, 59. 

•William II., 60. 

Henry I., 60. 

Stephen, 62, 65. 

Henry II., 32. 

Richard I., 65. 

Henry III., 69. 

Edward I., 71, 77, 194, 
351. 

Edward II., 74, 76, 351. 

Edward III., 78, 95, 351, 
his queen 352. 

Richard II., 90. 

Henry IV., 91, 195. 

Henry VI., 114. 

Edward IV., 114. 

Richard III., 71,91, 94, 
114. 

Henry VII., 94, 96. 

Henry VIII., 37, 98. 

Edward VI., 198. 

Elizabeth, 102, &c, 120, 
121. 

James I., 47. 113, 125. 

Charles I., 115, 130, <fee„ 
201, his queen 201. 

Charles II., 128,141,149. 

James II., 128, 149, 153, 
178, his queens 153, 
179. 

"William and Mary, 128. 

George I., 180. 

George II., 180. 



Royal personage?, Duke of Gloucester, 157. 
Roval visits Edward I., 72, 351. 

Edward III., 79. 

Princess Margaret, 96. 

James 1., 121. 

Duke of Cumberland, 158. 

Prince William of Glou- 
cester, 128. 

Duke of York, 128. 

Prince Leopold, 129. 

Victoria, 189, ciil. 
Royal personages (Scotland). 

Malcolm, 58. 

David, 60. 

William, 66. 

Robert Brus, 74, 77. 

David Brus, 80, 352. 

James IV., 96. 
Rudd, 222, 238, 309. 
Rufus, 63. » 

Rupert, 134. 
Rushes, 236, 256. 
Rushy ford, 75. 
Russell, 261. 
Rutherford, 234, 235. 
Rutter, 11, 17, 40, 268. 
Rymer, 222, 230, 248. 
Ryther, 235. 
Ryton, 113. 
Sack, 238. 
Sadberge, 66, 68, 142, 150. 189, 192,223, 

264, 278. 
Sadbergate, 87. 
Sadler, 99, 101, 299. 
Sadlers, 333. 

Saint Cuthbert, 6, 44, 46, 94. 
Saint Cuthbert's Churches, 44. 
Saint Paul's Rents, 259, 267- 
Saint John's Church, civ. 
Salt, 29. 
Salteston, 210. 
Salvin, 150. 
Sams, 339. 
Sanctuary, 278. 
Sanctus, 140. 
Sanctus Bell, 268. 
Sand, 287. 

Sanderson, 245, Ixxxii.. xcix. 
Savings Bank, 319, 334. 
Sawyers, 166. 

Saxon antiquities, 161, 215, 220. 
Sayer, 11, 118, 154, 183, 210, ciii. 
Scaife, 234, 243, 333. 
Scenery, 9. 
Scholar, 236. 

Schools, 249, 251, 253, 265, 339. 
School, Petit, 238. 
Scolds, 286. 
Scorton, 46. 

Scotch, 74, 76, 78, 80, 129, 134, 194, 206. 
Scotch Jenny, 234. 
Scotland, 172. 
Scots Close, 118. 
Scott, J 8. 

Scott, Sir Walter, 245. 
Screen, 228. 

Scrope, lxv., lxxiv., lxxx., cix. 
Seaforth, xlix. 
Seal, 205, 220. 
Searchers, 287. 
Seaton, 171, 172. 



INDEX. 



CXXXl 



Sedley, 178. 

Sedgefield, 122, 351. 

Sedilia, 203, 207, 213, 218. 

See, 259. 

Selby, 64, 65. 

Serjeants, 272, 287. 

Sessay, 44. 

SextoD, 228, 243. 

Shadforth, Ixxxvii- 

Shaftoe, 169, 251,lxxxvii. 

Shakspere, 6. 

Shambles, 287, 335. 

Sharp, xxvii., xl. 

Shaw, 38, 136, 210, 233, 257, 291. 

Sheen, 244. 

Sheep, 153, 304, 309, 369. 

Sheep Market, 265. 

Sheep Pens, xci. 

Shepherds, 334. 

Sheppard, 151. 

Sheridan, 158. 

Sheriff, 192. 

Sherwood, 40, 191. 

Shildon, 125; Tunnel, 366. 

Shipley, 145. 

Ship money, 1 29. 

Shire, 191. 

Shoemakers, 166, 234. 

Shoes, 272. 

Shopmen, 166. 

Shoresditch, 194, 195. 

Shotley, 17. 

Shotten, 204. 

Signs, 151, 332. 333,355. 

Sigswicke, 129. 

Sigworth, 238. 

Sike, 12, 192. 

Silkweaver, 333. 

Sillerton, Silton, 177. 

Simpson, 11, 158, 191, 206, 229, 232, 280, 

liii. 
Simpson's field, 137. 
Sinckehill, 192. 
Sir, 80. 

Sisson, 148, 226, 240, 257. 
Situation, 9. 
Skele, 37. 

Skeletons, 15,40, 160,241. 
Skepper, 40, 233, 268. 
Skepper's Closes, 40. 
Skepping, 337. 
Skerne, 330. 

Skerne, River, See Waters. 
Skern House, 17. 
Skerningham, 112. 
Skinner, 286. 
Skinners, 166. 
Skinnergate, 37, 251, 260, 261, 268,274, 

299, 335. 
Slates, 142, 145. 
Slaver, 204. 
Slip Inn, 19, 301. 
Slouch, 124. 
Snipe, 114,lii. 
Snipe House, 40. 
Snipe Sike, 192. 
Smart, 145, 257, liv.. lxxxviii. 
Smelt, 256, 257, xlii. 
Smith, 6, 29, 229, 238, 250, 260, 274, 287, 

289, 308, lxxxviii. 
Smith, the, 274, ci. 



Smiths, 166. 

Smithie Hill, 274. 

Smithson, 54, 292. ' 

Sober, 29, 113, 136, 141, 232, 261, 264, viii. 

Society for promoting Study of History, &c, 

373. 
Sockburn, 141, 161, 
Soke, 283. 
Soldier, 124. 
Somerlace, ci. 
Sotheron, 281. 
Soup Society, 242. 
Southcote, 255. 
South Darlington, 323. 
South dike, 55. 
Sowrebanks. 192. 
Spa, 238. 
Spark, 304. 
Spearman, 141, 230. 
Specke, 268. 

Spectacles, 26, 149, 311, 333. 
Spence, 236, 279. 
Spencer, 129. 
Spenser, 21. 
Spire, 125, 218. 
Spiritual Court Books, 122. 
Spoons, 131. 
Spykbit, 8, 88. 
Spynkbit, ci. 
Stag, 84, 203, 268, 324. 
Staggfold, 192. 
Staindrop, 202, 232. 
Staines, 117. 

Stainsby, 151, 233, 240, 268, lxxxvi. 
Stainton, 141. 
Stalls, 218. 

Stamper, 13, 283, 284. 
Stang, 336. 
Stapler, 333. 

Stapleton, 63, 89, 133, 203, 236, lxiv. 
Stavely, 284. 
Stedham, 235. 
Steel, lxv, 
Steeples, 61. 
Stellon, 291. 

Stephenson, 235, 238, 359, 363. 

Stepping stones, 139. 

Stepping-stone Close, 40. 

Steward, 272. 

Stickabitch, 8, 234, 264. 

Stockdale, 204, 210, 232. 

Stocks, 242. 

Stocks at Blackwell, 242. 

Stockton, 106, xcvi. 

Stodelaye, Ixii. 

Stokeslay, 196. 

Stone, 215. 

Stooperdale, 137. 

Storey, 82, 109, 111, 249, 283, xciii. 

Storm, 294, 319, 326. 

Stoup, 204. 

Stout, 17, 117. 

Stovin, lviii. 

Stowell, xci. 

Strafford, 132. 

Strangers, 332. 

Strangeways, lxxiii. 

Stranton, lv. 

Streets, 87, 286, 287. 

Stresham, 116, 192. 



CXXX11 



INDEX. 



Stricklin, 129. 

Stross, 236. 

Strother, 18. 

Strygate, 88. 

Stubbs, 309. 

Styr, I, 46. 

Suatone, 171. 

Subscription Library, 335. 

Suicides, 119, 129, 325. 

Summer ground, 137. 

Sun, 332. 

Sunday, 242, 356. 

Sunday schools, 253. 

Sunderland, 10, 136. 

Superstitions, 13, 15, 30,31, 42, 148, 188, 

327, xcix. 
Supervisors, 151. 
Supper, 170. 
Surgery, 240, 300. 
Surnames, 211. 
Surplice, 236. 
Surplice fees, 268. 
Surrey, 352. 

Surtees, 22, 130, 141, 208, 219, 235, 276, 
292, xvi., xxiii , xxvii., xliv., lvi., cii., cv- 
Surveyors, 240. 
Suspension Bridge, 363, 366. 
Sutton, 39, 351. 
Swainston, 233. lii. 

Swalwell, 122.' 

Swans, 24. 

Swatergate, 87. 

Swinburne, 8, 38, 106, 131. 

Swine, 234, 288. 

Swine flat, 130. 

Swinehird Place, ci. 

Sword dancers, 338. 

Sword slipper, 140. 

Sykes, 317. 

Tabernacle, 203. 

Tailbois, 107, 112, 121, 149, Ixiv. 

Talbot, 117. 

Talbot Inn, 150, 151, 260, 268. 

Tannator, 274. 

Tanners, 149, 166, 286. 

Tape, 261. 

Tart, 208 

Tasters, 272. 

Tate, 223. 

Tatton, 287. 

Taxations, 194, ciii. 

Taxidermist, 334. 

Taylor, 261, xlviii. 

Taylorson, 293. 

Teasdale, 17, 29. 

Teesdale, 87. 

Tees— see Waters. 

Tees Cottage, 18. 

Tees Navigation Company, 366. 

Teeswater sbeep, 369. 

Temperance, 322, ciii. 

Tempest, 25, 137, 181, 186, 353, lvi. 

Tenter close, 201. 

Tenures, 186, 271, lxxi. 

Terms, 335. 

Terrier, 114, 228. 

Thadie, 201, 279, civ. 

Thatch, 335. 

Theobalds, 13S, 154, 155. 

Theughe, 200, 260. 

Thirsk, 14, 119, 317, ^ 7 - 



Thomas, 45. 
Thomlinson, 221, 268. 
Thomson, Thompson, 4, 11, 17,88, 89, 144, 
197, 200, 203, 238, 244, 260, 267, 268, 
279, 285, 236, 292, 301, 327, lvi. 
Thormonby, 198. 
Thornaby, 232, 251, 260. 
Thornbeck Hill, 139. 
Thornell, 2,278. 
Thornhill, 210, 241, 344, xxxii. 
Thorns, 192. 

Thornton, 8, 221, 309, 355,369, lxxi. 
Thornton Hall. 150, 188. 
Thorny Beck, 93, Ixxxiv. 
Thorpe family, 39. 
Thorpe, 249. 

Thorsby, Thursby, 153, 154, 233. 
Thrave, 63. 
Three Tuns, 297- 
Throp's wife, 304. 
Throstle Nest, 15. 
Thurstan, 7. 
Tidy, 225. 
Tillum, 291. 
Timber, 24. 
Tinctor, 274. 
Tip!ady, 229. 
Tithebarn, 195, ciii. 
Tithes. 129, 295, 200,201. 
Title, 171. 

Title-deed boxes, 139. 
Tobaccoman, 333. 
Todd, 29, 150, 285. 
Todhunter, 300. 
Tofts, 63. 
Tokens, 333. 

Tollbooth, 144, 152,272, 282, 295, 317, cvi. 
Tolls, 64, 87, 88, 89, £71, 277, 2S8, 295, 

332, 357. 
Ton. 2. 

Tonge, 147, 241. 
Topcliffe clost*, li. 
Topham, 227, 266, lv. 
Topsail, lxxxii. 

Toulmin, 319. 

Tournament, 189. 

Tower Hill, 119. 

Town end fields, 93. 

Townfield,31. 

Town Hall, town-house, 299, 317. 

Town-land, 8, 38, 115, 143, 144, 292, lii., 
Ixxxiv. 

Townships, 1. 

Tracts, xii. 

Tracy, 206. 

Trade, 10, 26, 165, 333. 

Transit, 10, 97, 108, 349. 

Trasfourthe, 113. 

Travellers, 232. 

Treasure house. 203. 

Trenholme, 35. 

Tresham, 8. 

Trollop, 111, 191. 

Trophy money, 153. 

Trotter, 155, 943. 

Trueman, 230, 251. 

Tubwell Row, 37, 39, 126, 143, 149 : 223, 
230, 260, 299. 

Tuke, 312. 

Tunstall, 98, 244, 297, Ixxv. 

Turks, 241. 



INDEX. 



CXXXlll 



Turner, 138, 231, 234, 235, 268, 288,309, 
332, lv., lxxxiii., xc, xciii., xcvi. 

Tamer's Close, 55, 151. 

Turnpikes, 254. 

Tweddle, 301. 

Tweedy, 234. 

Twelve acres, 118. 

Twelve men of the Borough, the, 286. 

Twelve men of the Jury, the, 287. 

Twenty-four, the, 258. 

Tynemouth, 34. 

Tynkler, 204. 

Tythes, 221. 

Ulphus, 46. 

Underwood, 38, 204. 

Undersettlers, 40, 287, 332. 

Union Street, 249, 251. 

Unthank, 234. 

Valet, 205. 

Valors, Ecclesiastical, 197. 

Vane, 102, 118, 121, 129, 138, 166, 169, 
170, 190, 195, 201, 219, 270, 298, 302, 
324, 331, cii, ciii, cv. — Pedigree, 181. 

Vasey, Vesey, 5, 34, 124, 268, xcix. 

Vaux, 124. 

Venell, 37. 

Vere, 145. 

Verge, 63, 88, 89. 

Verty, 88, 205. 

Vestments, 202, 203. 

Vestry book, 302. 

Vestry, select, 258. 

Veteriponte, xxxiii. 

Vicars, 195, 199, 201, 205, 221. 

Vicar's house, 189, 196. 

Vickers, 235. 

Viewly, liii. 

Villas, 335. 

Vincent, Ixvi. 

Vintner, 149. 

Visitations, ecclesiastical, 196, 223, 

Volunteers, 161. 

Voyages, 144, 238. 

Vrangelythe, 274. 

Wade, 159, 257. 

Waggonways, 359, iv. 

Waistell, Wastell, 118, 139, 251, 292, 303. 

Waldegrave, 156, 278. 

Walker, 141, 280, 300. 

Walkmill, 192, 333. 

Waller, lxxxviii. 

Wallis, 210, xvii. 

Wallsend, xxvii. 

Walmire, Ixv, lxxiv, et seq. 

Walpole, 155. 

Walters, 242, 260. 

Waltham, 192. 

Walthorn, 116. 

Walworth, 58, 90, 136, 171, 189,205, 215, 
274, xxxiv. 

Wandesford, 85, 279. 

Wappentake, 192. 

Warcop, xxiv. 

Ward, 136, 150, 192, 200, 201, 204, 238, 
282, 290, 293, 317, 354, lvii, xciii. 

Wardell, 8, 15, 234, 296, xcvii. 

War mouth, xxxviii. 

Warrington, 240. 

Warwick, 139, 155. 



Washing, 236. 
Watchmaker, 333. 
Wate 279. 

Waters— River Tees, 1, 2, 9, 10, 20, 30, 

38, 55, 58, 59, 60, 64, 

65, 74, 101, 104, 107, 

118, 142, 153, 187, 289, 

291, 302, 303, 306, 308, 

312, 314, 326, 329, 331. 

Waters— River Skerne, 1, 2, 10,24,27, 31, 

38, 65, 75, 261, 275, 285, 

293, 295, 304, 314, 330, 

331, 335, pikes of, cii. 

Cockerbeck, 2, 10, 27, 40, 

186, 331. 
Browney, 118. 
Codbeck, 293. 
Greta, 1, 2, 22. 
Dare, 2, 3. 
Derness, 3. 

Wear, 9, 21, 101, 118, 300. 
Elbe, 9. 
Baydale Beck, 10, 27, 40, 55, 

186, 317. 
Kent, 15. 
Tyne, 21, 58. 
Midway, 21. 
Crane, 21. 

Swale, 74, 289, 331. 
Oxen-le-field, the field of waters, 4, 

19. (see Oxen-hall.) 
Victims of the waters, 11. 
Blackwell mill dam, 11, 283. 
Blackwell Holme, 11. 
Glassensikes, 12, 138. 
White-lass-beck, 15. 
Throstle-nest-runner, 15. 
Mill pot, 15, 19. 
Mill dam, 111, 283. 
Coniscliffe caldron, or Hob's hole, 15. 
Legend of Peg Powler, 15. 
Floods, 19. 
Woodham-burn, 26. 
The four streams rising at Newton- 

Ketton, 96. 
Favordale runner, 26. v 

Hell-kettles, 27, 153, 310. 
Spas at Croft and Dinsdale, 34, 238. 
Humblesykes, 40, 291. 
Runner between Hurworth and Dar- 
lington, 40. 
Wreck of the sea, 68. 
Langsike, 191. 
Duekingstool, 286. 
Hamper carr stell, 291. 
Water Company, 322, 331. 
Water in connexion with roads, 350. 
Waters family, 235. 
Watkin, 240. 
Watkins, 226, lvii. 
Watson, 11, 118, 260, 279, 292, 298, 339, 

xxi., xxxvii. 
Wear Valley, 366'. 
Webster, 275. 
Wedded trees, 119. 
Weemes, xlvii. 

Weind, 268. See Post House Wynd and 
Bull Wynd. 



CXXX1V 



INDEX. 



Wells, generally^ 5, 37, 331. 

At source of Skerne, 24. 

Overseers of, 37, 272. 

Tubwell, 37. 

Skinnergate, 37. 

Houndgate, 37, 196. 

Drop-well, 38. 

Capsay, 38. 

Well Leazes, 38. 

Annat, 38. 

Grimsley Gill, 38. 

Baydales, 38, 118. 

Rockwell, 38. 

Houndwells, 38. 

Ladykirk stile, 145. 

Cockerton, 336. 
Well garth, 118. 
Well Leazes, 38. 

Well-rawe, 86. See Tubwell Row. 
Well church, 85. 
Wellington, 129. 
Welsh, 221, 285. 
Welthara, 195. 
Welton, 205. 
Wensley, 139. 
Wensleydale, 15. 
Wesleyans, 252, 253, 334. 
West Bottom, 118. 
Wester Hall, 289. 
Westfield, 29, 87. 
Westgarth, lxxxix. 
West Holme, 118. 
West Moor, 191, 200. 
Weston, 79. 
West Row, 265. 

Wetherell, 11, 144, 210, 304, 324. 
Wetwange, 288. 
Wballer, 272. 
Wheler, 201. 
Whessoe, 87. 
Whetstone, 235. 
Whins, 192. 
Whitburn, 204. 
White, 8, 319. 
Whitfield, lviii. 
Whitehead, 37, 92. 
Whitehouse, liii. 
Whitland gate, lv. 
Whitworth, 5. 
Whorlton, 122. 
Widderington, 8, 115, 154. 
Wightman, 196. 
Wild, 200, 284. 
Wildman, 301. 
Wilfat, 234. 
Wilkes, 160. 



Wilkinson, 219, 222, 232, 278, 284, 299, 

lv, Ixxxvi. 
Will, curious early draft of, lxxii. 
Williams, 102, 302. 
Williamson, 247, xxxvii., xc. 
Willy, 141, 222, 353, lxxxiv. 
Wilson, 234, 245, 249, 257, 260, 261, 268, 

286, 290, 298, zxxvii. 
Winding Sheet, 239. 
Windle, 240. 

Windleston, 25, 75, 113, 270. 
Windmill, lxxxii. 
Windmill Hill, 12, 138. 
Wine, 24T). 
Wine silver, 237. 
Winston, 5, 17, 
Witch, 328. 
Witton, 195, 205, 206. 
Wolfehill, li. 
Women, 202. 
Wood, 4, 136, 224, 230, 247, 251, 261, 

289, 294, 357. 
Woodfall, 221. 
Woodham, 136. 
Woodhams, 18. 
Wood-heal maker, 333. 
Woodhen, 276, (see Hens). 
Woodmas, 238. 
Woodside, 9, 13, 291. 
Woodsilver, 88, 89. 
Woods, 301. 
Wool, 297. 

Woolcombers, 165, 321. 
Wooler, 115. 
Woollen manufacture, 26, 158, 295, 310, 

318, 333. 
Woolwich, 334 (see Bishop's Manorhouse). 
Workhouse Lane, 39. 
Wormeley, 281. 
Worsted-weavers, 165. 
Wray, 134, 226, 257, 259. 
Wren, 128, 129, 134, 138, 233, 290. 
Wright, 4, 263, 293, 297, xv. 
Wycliffe, 8, 41, 276, 295. Ixxxvi. 
Wytham, 109, 111, 278. 
Yarker, 230. 
Yarm, 20, 22, 23, xcviii. 
Yarm Lane, 151, 192, 292. 
Yarrow, 235. 
Yedingham, lxii. 
York, lviii., lxv., xcv. 
York, Newcastle, and Bewick Railwav, 367. 
Young, 137. 
Yowlands, 292. 
Zole [Gole ?] 209. 
Zones, 203, 268. 



FINIS. 



DARLINGTON : 

PRINTED AT THE " TIMES*' OFFICE, 

CENTRAL BUILDINGS, 






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